Rising Stars: Meet Jessie Rodriguez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Rodriguez.

Hi Jessie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am from Colorado, and I live and work in Denver. I studied studio arts at the University of Colorado and spent time in Mexico City studying printmaking. My path as an artist has involved experimentation with many types and mediums. I’ve worked on installations, video art, photography, and glasswork, to name a few. I am a strong believer in the DIY process and I have taught myself many of the methods I use in my work.

For several years, my primary focus has been making 2D stop-motion animations that I create from scratch. I work with paper cutouts made from my linocut printmaking techniques; I call this process Handprinted Movies. I get my material from events in my life, or I am inspired by an idea or theme and allow that to be my guide. My art is at times a vehicle of playful absurdity or it can be an examination of more serious matters.

I work small scale and create my films in a home studio where I can control all of the elements and build out the animated pieces. I am inspired by other stop motion and shadow film animators. It is a medium that involves a lot of experimentation and improvisation to bring characters and work to life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a winding road, one that has taken me many places, but I always return to a creative practice. I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. But living and working as an artist has not been a direct path for me. I spent many years working in different fields, including non-profits and public libraries.

However, my passion always returned to wanting to be in a studio, with a desire to bring ideas to life. I have learned to be much more committed to my creative work, to prioritize it instead of viewing it as something I can do on the side. I feel fortunate that I am able to focus more of my time on my practice now.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My life as a professional artist has, and continues to be one I am learning from. My goal is for my work to be widely seen and to connect with people through my art. I am part of a studio space called Real Eyes Studio at 747 Santa Fe, suite A that is open to the public during First Friday art walks in Denver.

I am flexible to the venues that my work is shown and displayed and tend to say yes when it comes to getting it out in the world, often in creative ways. For the 2023 Denver Digirati Film Fest my film was displayed on a downtown intersection on a large LED screen. In a guest artist slot for Sideshow Studios, I created a Peepshow box for my film, the Mermaid’s Dressing Room to be viewed through. I have a work in progress to display on a clock tower in 2024 for Night Lights Denver. I have worked with a musician to create a music video, and a few of my films will be shown in December at the Longmont Museum as part of the Longmont Out Loud theater variety show.

I also create work in glass and mosaics and I work at, and teach classes at the Denver Tool Library. I look for opportunities that are a fit for my work, I am open to what finds me, and I am interested in collaborations.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have found that certain conditions have to be met in order for me to produce work, as part of a sustainable practice. Creativity doesn’t function as an on-demand resource. It has to be given space to breath, time to come to fruition and I have to be in a place where I can focus entirely on doing it.

Creating the right conditions to live and work as an artist is its own practice that involves careful attention. I need a certain balance in my life to be able to devote myself to my work. It has taken me a while to get to a place where these conditions are met, and since life is unpredictable, I do not take them for granted.

I think of it as a huge privilege to be able live a life engaged in making art. Being among a community of other creative people is a huge motivator. I am very grateful for the many artists and makers who are a part of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: jessierodriguezart.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessierodriguez.art/
• Other: vimeo.com/handprintedmovies

Image Credits
Headshot photo – Jake Jensen