Connect
To Top

Conversations with the Inspiring Jess Ellis

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Ellis.

Jess, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Art, nature, and science have always been my biggest passions. I really began to marry them creatively over a decade ago while working on my thesis project as a student at the University of Colorado Denver College of Arts and Media. I was creating work based on photographic theory and used natural history specimens as my subject matter. Insects, bones, botanical specimens, and other natural curiosities were photographed, cut out to resemble the original objects, and displayed in a manner that was reminiscent of antiquated curiosity cabinets of the Victorian era.

Right after graduating in 2008, I spent some time showing my work in art galleries in Denver, including a couple of amazing years as a member of the Co-op Edge Gallery. It was during this time, that I began creating more of the work that grew into the Curioscapes that I create today. I learned much about myself as an artist during my time at Edge, but I found that I needed to take some time off of creating art due to some life changes and health issues.

I ultimately came back to my art a few years ago when I decided to make an unlikely career change. I had been working as a graphic artist for several years but realized I wanted to go back to school to study biology, a recently reignited passion of mine. I had become infatuated with entomology, and all things insect and arachnid, and began volunteering at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The things I learned there and the amazing people I’ve met have inspired me greatly to work more with these creatures in my own work and to share their importance with everyone I meet.

Funny enough, when I decided to change my path from art to science, is when my art career really took off. I have been pursuing my art as a business more seriously for the last 2-3 years and am so excited to see the amount of support I have found in the Denver community and beyond.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road to where I am now has certainly not been a smooth one. I think anyone who starts their own creative business will tell you that it is not for the faint of heart. That is not to say that it isn’t exciting and wonderful, but there have been moments when I wanted to give up completely.

My best advice is don’t give up. Don’t give up, but also know and respect your own limits. I struggle with mental and physical health issues, and because of that, I have had to learn when to take a break to focus on my health. It is not easy for me to admit when I need to slow down, and it is an ongoing practice, but I have learned that burning myself out does no favors to me, my business, or the people I love.

I have also found immense support and assistance from other women in my field and community. I suggest getting yourself out there as much as you can to meet others who share your passions. You may find exciting collaborators and new friends. I am extremely introverted, but by pushing myself out of my comfort zone and making connections in my field, I have found unexpected opportunities, an incredible job, and lifelong friends.

This journey is ongoing and at times very difficult, but I have found that our words and thoughts hold immense power. I truly believe that we can create our own future and a big part of that is how we speak to ourselves. There will always be those who doubt our path and our worth. My advice is to ignore those people. Only you get to decide your worth, and you alone are responsible for making your own dreams come true. I currently work full-time in addition to running a very busy creative business as an independent artist. I work a lot, but I love my job and I love my art I know that I have nothing but opportunity in my path ahead. In the last year, I have experienced many upheavals in my personal life, but I haven’t allowed any of it to deter me from what I know in my heart I was meant to do with this life. Find the fire that lights your path and focus on the goals that keep you on that path.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Curioscape Designs story. Tell us more about it.
I create tiny worlds which I call Curioscapes. I use a variety of glass vessels (mostly vintage and second-hand) to contain landscapes I have assembled using preserved insects, bones, crystals, branches, moss, lichen, and other natural curiosities. All of the insects in my work are collected after death, either by myself, by people who gift them to me, or I source from insect and butterfly farms which raise these animals and collect them after natural death. The bones and other animal components I use are either from natural death or salvaged from other industries rather than being wasted/thrown away. All of my specimens are professionally preserved and their spirits are honored respectfully in death. I use my background and training as a professional artist, with more than a decade of experience, to ensure that my creations are assembled with the highest quality possible and made to last so that they may be enjoyed for years to come.

It is important to me to use my work as a way to educate others about the fragility of life, the beauty of the natural processes of death, and the importance of every living creature in our ecosystem. When I can, I donate proceeds from my work to conservation efforts, local animal shelters, and other nonprofits as a way to further honor the delicate web of life on this planet.

I also teach workshops at Ritualcravt School in Wheat Ridge and through the Oddities and Curiosities Expo in Denver.

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
The women in my family have always been a huge inspiration to me. They have all taught me fierce independence and a strong drive for forging my own way in this life. My mother has always wanted the best for me, while also respecting my own unique path and talents. I think she was a bit nervous about me going to school for art (let’s be honest, I was too), but she never once told me I couldn’t or shouldn’t pursue my dream. She has always shown me how proud she is of me and remains to be one of my biggest cheerleaders to this day and always makes an appearance (or helps work the booth) at my big events and shows. She has become highly successful in her own field through her hard work and talent and has always inspired me to do the same.

The other incredibly strong female force in my life is my big sister Kellie. She never fails to amaze and inspire me with her drive, determination, and incredible life force. She is a constant support to me and everyone around her and she balances an incredibly full and busy life (as a mother, a student, a business owner, and an entrepreneur) with immense grace and strength.

I am also constantly inspired by the womxn I work with and teach alongside at Ritualcravt. Everyone there balances multiple roles and jobs and keeps incredibly full schedules, while still managing to hold each other up and inspire those around them. I also know countless womxn in the art and oddities communities who are constantly breaking boundaries, challenging expectations, and working incredibly hard to make a name for themselves and others.

Contact Info:

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in