Jessica Bednarcik
My figurative oil portraits explore and interrogate inner thoughts and nostalgia. My paintings create a space within memory; sheltered by walls of repetitive thought and illuminated by vivid colors. I reach for a feeling, thought, or place in time, and translate it into an image that encapsulates a time in my life. My figurative oil paintings are born from increasingly saturated underpaintings that are alive, mimicking moments of fluorescence in nature. My process begins with this luminance which I then cover up, layer by layer. My process explores the psychology of repetitive thought, constantly adding, layering, and revisiting memories in search of some type of truth. My works explore the complexity of youth, growth, and the emotions that come with the somewhat forceful change of maturity. Lost in thought, caught in a web of emotions, my subjects lie unaware of the surrounding real world. Face and body still as the rhythm of the world moves around them. Surroundings fade into a void-like space.
More to come, hopefully.
A little bit
ABOUT ME
Told through pictures & fun facts below
I recently moved home and I've made it my hobby to visit every local museum and special spot as if I'm a tourist. I've always loved the Philadelphia Museum of Art (above).
A jacket I made with materials given to me by the seamstress job I work on weekends. Hand-stitched the collar and hem, sleeve ends and center front with thrifted denim scraps.
I take all of my own reference photos. Painting references, fashion photography, self portraits, etc. Photography is the first part of my artist practice.
I paint murals around PA with my retired high school teacher, Mr. Nap!
This is a van we had to rent to get all of my paintings home! I want to say there was at least 56 (but I didn't count).
This is my favorite place to hike. A friend and I once got lost here in the dark. Very scary but worth it.
I have a twin brother. He is featured in a lot of my works but it's my painting so I'm the star (obvi).
Here is a picture of him. He popped into my graduation halfway through his bike trip across the U.S. which was very sweet.
Sir John Soane's Collection is the best art collection I've experienced. Love that he also loved Turner (my all-time fav).
I take pride in my craft. Building my canvas is one of the best parts of making a painting.
Custom canvas!
7 foot canvas I built (with me for size reference).
Studio pic!
My favorite painting
Embroidered book cover on book I bound. Canvas on wood with wax thread, multi-color paper.
The first & maybe only painting I did from memory, just vibes.
Same painting diff. day, different energy
LOVE denim. Currently a fan of patchworking denim and thrifting materials. Big on using good, strong, sustainable material, same way I am with painting.
EXHIBITIONS
2025
13th Annual Juried Show, Artists of Yardley, Juried by Juliana Ochs Dweck, 2025
2024
Under City Lights, Penn Journal of Arts and Sciences, Winter 2025, Vol. 3
215 | 610 Contemporary Exhibition, DCCC Gallery, 2024
Philadelphia Sketch Club Undergraduate Show, Philadelphia Sketch Club, 2024
Alcott Show, Kai Lin Fine Art Gallery, 2024
Configuration, The Sun ATL, 2024
Fine Arts Student Showcase, Savannah College of Art and Design, 2024
Visions of Self, Yosemite Sierra Artists, 2024
Feeling Blue: Navigating Challenges Through Art, Abington Art Center, 2024
2023
Wherever You Go: Solo Show, Vallerina Studio, 2023
Alcott Show Kai Lin Fine Art Gallery, 2023
Refractions: A Collection of Contemporary Artists ACA Sculpture Studio, 2023
2022
Spring Forward Savannah College of Art and Design, 2022
Beyond the Dot Savannah College of Art and Design, 2022
2020
Arcadia University Juried Showcase, Arcadia University, 2020
AOY Juried Art Show, Artists of Yardley, 2020
AWARDS
2024
Visions of Self, Second Prize, Yosemite Sierra Artists
Dean’s List Winter, Spring 2024
2023
Best in Show- Kai Lin Gallery Alcott Show
Gene Alcott Scholarship 2023
Dean’s List Winter, Spring, Fall 2023
2022
Figure Drawing Beyond the Dot, 1st Place
Dean’s List Winter 2022, Spring 2022
2021
Generate 24 Hour Mural Competition, 1st and 2nd Place
Dean’s List Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Winter 2021
2020
AOY Juried Art Show, 1st place
Sue Castle Memorial Art Award
Scholarships (2021-2024)
SCAD Achievement Honors Scholarship
Student Recognition Scholarship
Academic Honors Scholarship
SCAD Achievement Scholarship
Gene Alcott Scholarship Trip
SCAD Student Grant
PROFESSIONAL MURAL WORK
Ashlynn Distillery Mural, Morrisville, PA
Yardley Tot Lot Mural, Yardley, PA
Belmont’s Garage Mural, Langhorne, PA
Welcome to Yardley Mural, Yardley, PA
