Meet Jessica Russo Scherr, an accomplished visual artist whose creative journey has been shaped by a deep curiosity about the narratives that define us. From their beginnings in undergrad and master’s programs to earning a prestigious Fulbright Grant and now based in Germany, their art is a reflection of their travels and experiences living in various countries. With a focus on themes like identity, memory, and motherhood, they blend personal reflection with universal truths, creating atmospheric compositions that evoke a sense of recollection and personal evolution. Through paint, collage, and recently exploring monotypes, their work continues to evolve, engaging with global complexities and fostering cross-cultural dialogues. Join Jessica Russo Scherr on her artistic journey as they navigate different cultural landscapes and explore the depths of human experience through their visual storytelling.
Can you share a bit about your personal journey as a visual artist? What initially sparked your interest in art, and how did you develop your skills over time?
My art begins with a deep curiosity about the narratives that shape us. This began during my undergrad and master’s programs. Currently, I am influenced by my travels and experiences living in various countries, exploring themes of identity, memory, and our cultural footprint, blending personal reflection with universal truths.
Earning a Fulbright Grant was a highlight, affirming my exploration of art’s role in society. Now based in Germany, I continue to grow as both an artist and an educator, leveraging these experiences and figuring out how to visually represent them. I typically do this through paint and collage although the techniques and methods may evolve there is a core that runs through my work.
Living as an American artist in Frankfurt, Germany, how has your environment influenced your creative process and the themes you explore in your artwork?
Living across cultures certainly influences my creative process. Before Frankfurt, Germany I went from the US to Italy and Slovakia, each place weaving its narrative into my artwork. Frankfurt, with its central European location, has been a gateway to explore and absorb the continent’s cultures. My work is a reflection of these travels and experiences, often starting from photographs and sketches made at the moment. These impressions deeply influence the themes I explore, from the personal to the universal.
Your work often delves into themes of identity, memory, and motherhood. Could you elaborate on how these themes manifest in your art and why they are significant to you?
These themes are especially meaningful to me as they reflect personal experiences and universal truths, often drawing connections to historical representations of women. Becoming a mother was a transformative experience, obviously and it helped build my exploration of identity and memory in my art. I aim to create atmospheric compositions that evoke a sense of recollection and personal evolution, reflecting both my journey and broader human experiences. The role of motherhood is woven into many of these works as I try to bridge personal narratives with art historical references. I hope to create a dialogue on women’s roles and representations throughout history as well as how we cultural and social issues.
What challenges have you faced as an artist, particularly navigating different cultural landscapes and establishing yourself in the art community both locally and internationally?
The challenge has always been about finding a voice that resonates across different cultures while navigating the intricacies of local and international art communities. Learning new languages and adapting to various cultural systems has been part of this journey. Yet, these challenges have been invaluable, enriching my work and broadening my perspective as an artist. Patience is certainly key and having an online social media community certainly helps.
Can you discuss a specific piece of artwork that holds special significance to you, either in terms of its creation process or the message it conveys?
One piece that stands out is inspired by Artemisia Gentileschi’s “Susanna and the Elders,” reimagined with my daughter in the foreground in a double exposure composition. Through overlapping and mirrored layers forming an atmospheric view of Venice paired with Gentileschi’s work. This piece intentionally evokes sensations of memory recollection and internal evolution. It is challenging being a woman raising daughters. I have experienced a lot in my life that I would like to protect her from but also how to prepare them for a future in an uncertain and violent world.
As both an artist and educator, how do you balance these two roles, and how do they complement each other in your practice?
These roles nourish each other. Discussing art, both mine and that of my students, builds my perspective and fuels my creativity. Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about exchanging ideas, which has a profound impact on my work. The relationships built with students, lasting long beyond their graduation, are a source of continuous inspiration. I was just chatting with a student that I taught over 20 years ago when I first started teaching.
Your work often involves layering techniques and complex compositions. Could you walk us through your artistic process, from concept to completion?
My process starts with a spark—either an image or a concept—often derived from my travels. I play around with these in my sketchbook and digitally on Photoshop considering how layering and juxtaposition can play a role in building a concept that is both deeply personal to me but also open for viewers to see and hopefully have it resonate with them. I then make smaller mock-ups and then working on the final piece. If you would like to see more about this, you can check out my social media.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, especially those who may be navigating different cultural contexts or exploring themes of identity and belonging in their work?
Embrace your unique perspective and lean into cross-cultural dialogues, even when uncomfortable. Authenticity is key; it’s your personal journey that will enrich your work and foster meaningful growth.
Can you share a bit about your personal journey as a visual artist? What initially sparked your interest in art, and how did you develop your skills over time?
My artistic journey is one of continuous curiosity and exploration. From my academic foundations to the life-changing experiences of living in different countries, each step has contributed to my development as an artist. My Fulbright Grant was a rather important milestone in this journey and changed the trajectory of my life and my art. I can’t say where my work would have been today if I stayed in the US. However, I am quite happy with the choice I made and the evolution of my work throughout these major moves in my life. I am forever grateful to do these with my husband and children.
Can you share a memorable experience or moment in your artistic journey that has had a profound impact on you or your approach to art?
Many years ago, I was in a car accident that injured my back, making it difficult for me to hold a paintbrush. The inability to move the brush was incredibly frustrating. During my recovery, isolated and yearning to create art, I discovered an opportunity to elevate my image layering techniques through collage. Although I had always incorporated collage into my work, this period allowed my methods to evolve. By picking up one small piece of paper at a time and placing it precisely, I began to approach collage with the same methodology I apply to painting—building layers of color and imagery to convey broader concepts. This evolution didn’t cease with my recovery; I continue to create intricate collages to this day.
Looking ahead, what are your goals or aspirations as a visual artist, and how do you envision your work evolving in the future?
Looking ahead, my goals as a visual artist include addressing global complexities and continuing to explore the interplay between personal and universal narratives. My recent work with monotypes using gel plates has opened new avenues for expression and engagement with a wider audience. I am excited about the possibilities this medium offers and am eager to see where this journey will take me. I document both the successes and challenges of this exploration on social media, sharing my process and growth with a broader audience. I will most likely be in Germany for a while but you never know what the future holds.
