me.

Hi, I’m Jessie Charlebois James.

I was born in Charlottesville, Virginia to a nurse and a carpenter—one who could fix anything, and one who felt everything. My dad, a carpenter by trade and an artist at heart, filled our home with paintings and sculptures. Watching him make things with his hands shaped me early, and still does.

I went on to study at VCU in Communication Arts & Design with a concentration in Illustration, and somewhere along the way, I never really stopped drawing. Not the serious stuff, and not the silly stuff either.

I’ve been drawing little funny creatures for as long as I can remember. Strange little guys. Snails with opinions. Birds that look slightly suspicious. The kind of drawings that feel like they’re in on a joke. That part of me never left—it just grew up alongside my fine art.

Now my work lives in both places.

I create detailed pastel portraits that begin with the eyes, always the eyes, finding that quiet connection with each subject. Every person, every animal holds something special, and I try to meet it there. At the same time, I’m still making playful, small pieces that are meant to surprise you a little… or make you smile when you weren’t expecting to.

I live in beautiful Lake Anna, Virginia with my husband (a potter, my high school friend, and a pretty cool dude), our two amazing kids, and right now 2 cats, 3 dogs, a bunch of fish- and we have a hive of bees! My studio is tucked into our basement, and it’s where all of it happens, the careful work, the messy work, and the slightly ridiculous work.

A few small things about me:

• I am named after the song Jessica, by The Allman Brothers Band.

• I never drive with cruise control. Ever. It just feels suspicious.

• I am still trying hard to learn my right from left.

• Recently I learned that it isn’t Chester’s Drawers, it’s chest-of-drawers! Who knew!

• I love April Fools’ Day. Truly. A well-executed harmless prank? Incredible.

• I believe good art can make you feel something quietly… or make you laugh out loud. Both are equally important.

If you’re interested in a commission, have a question, or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out. I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’re curious, I was recently featured on a podcast—take a listen!