Artist Statement
I am a painter and interdisciplinary artist who focuses on landscape. My work addresses biodiversity, green space, green infrastructure, and the ‘re-wilding’ of urban and suburban environments. I find inspiration from natural histories, wildlife, plants, gardens, parks, and maps. I balance my studio practice in Brooklyn with a social practice committed to engaging communities with nature.
My creative process begins by walking a landscape extensively, simply being in it, exploring, and learning its natural history and present ecology through observation and research. I like to sketch, paint, photograph, and collect specimens on site. Back at the studio I weave together all of the above with memory, digital imagery, and maps into compositions in oils and mixed media.
In my paintings I combine expressive strokes with representational details to both evoke a sense of the place and document flora and fauna. I draw upon my knowledge as a horticulturist and employ representational techniques to illustrate specific plant species with the intention to spark conversation about plant life, biodiversity, and the environment. For example, my series Selected Weeds depicts wild plants (aka: ‘weeds’) that offer benefits, depending on their context, in an attempt to illuminate the complexities and nuances of plant communities. I learned about the practice of “selective weeding” as an artist in residence at Oak Spring Garden Foundation, a highlight in my career thus far.
In artworks such as NYC Natural; Alley Pond Park (Queens), I create hand-painted frames that encircle the landscape, which represent urban hardscapes as well as areas of quiet. Often elements of the landscape extend into the border echoing the overlap of nature and built environment and the resurgence of nature in the city. These borders take the place of a traditional frame, allowing the work to be light-weight, requiring less energy to store.
Each of my projects have a social practice component. For example, as part of my New York City Natural Project, which creates portraits of NYC Parks, I also lead Mindful Nature Journaling Hikes through the parks I capture. I also partner with nature-forward organizations to create art events such as The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative for whom I’ve hosted botanical drawing events at their green space; the Naval Cemetery Landscape since 2023 and the Old Stone House Brooklyn where I’ve taught botanical drawing of locally foraged plants since 2018.
Overall my artwork stems from the core belief that incorporating more nature into built environments and the act of collectively gaining greater understanding of plants and wildlife can improve the overall health and well being of cities and suburbs. I hope that by transporting people, physically and pictorially, into green spaces and by zooming in on plants that I can raise awareness about their importance and their role in mitigating climate change and preserving our planet.
Bio
Jessica Dalrymple studied Fine Art at Hamilton College and trained as a painter at The Art Student's League of New York and studied with renowned landscape painters; Gregg Kreutz, Scott Christenson, and John Osbourne. She has exhibited with many national and regional juried shows and has received numerous awards including the Fenimore Award which granted her a solo exhibit at the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, NY and was commissioned by City Harvest as part of their Arts Initiative program. Her work is held in both public and private art collections. She earned a certificate in horticulture from Brooklyn Botanical Garden, is a licensed city tree pruner through Trees New York, and actively volunteers with grass roots conservancies and environmental groups.
She collaborates with nature forward organizations to create art events that raise awareness about the local landscape and environmental issues such as; co-creating ArtLab Gowanus, a pop-up structure hosting landscape related art workshops taught by local artists, made possible by the Gowanus Public Art Grant, applied for in collaboration with The Gowanus Canal Conservancy (2015). In 2014 she created a “Plein Air On The Canal” event hosting orgs such as local chapters of The Urban Sketchers and Oil Painters of America on the banks of the canal to capture the evolving landscape. Other events include Botanical Drawing for the Gowanus Dredgers focusing on local vegetation, multiple Botanical Drawing events for The Old Stone House Brooklyn featuring their gardens, and a Botanical “Drink n Draw” event to raise funds for The Human Impact Institute. Most recently she leads monthly “Mindful Nature Journaling Hikes” through New York City Parks.
CV
1-4 Person Exhibitions
2024 Selected Weeds, Gallery Particulier, Brooklyn, NY curated by, Arabella von Arx (solo)
2023 New York City Natural; Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Gateway National Park, curated by, Charles Markis (solo)
2022 This Green Urban World, curated by, Jennifer Roberts, The Interchurch Galleries, New York, NY (4 person)
2021 Nature Contained, curated by, Katherine Gressel, The Old Stone House Brooklyn (3 person)
2020 Quarantine Artworks, curated by, Sasha Chavchavadze, Dredger Boathouse, Gowanus (solo)
2018 Dalrymple + Gowanus Canal Conservancy, curated by, Jonathan Shorr, 313 Butler Gallery & Rooftop Reds Annual Benefit & Auction, Brooklyn, NY (2 person)
2017 Gowanus Landscapes; Past, Present, & Future, Dredger’s Boathouse (solo)
2017 Urbanscapes & Native/Non Natives, Interchurch Galleries, New York, NY (2 person)
2016 Natural New York; Landscapes, Urbanscapes, & Many Species In Between, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY (awareded solo exhibit)
2014 NY State Barn Portraits, Smithy Art Center, Cooperstown, NY (2 person)
2010 Nature In The City, Gallery at 350 Bleecker, curated by, Robinson Holloway, NY, NY (solo)
Selected Awards & Residencies
2023-2024 Naval Cemetery Landscape/Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, artist in residence
2023 Oak Spring Gardens Foundation, artist in residence
2022 City Harvest Art Initiative Program, 1 of 9 artists commissioned to create art
2020 Gilbertsville Expressive Movement, Gilbertsville, NY, awarded residency (however it was cancelled due to COVID 19)
2018 Critical Feedback Program, Trestle Art Space, Brooklyn, NY (w/ Michael Brennan)
2017 Soaring Gardens / Ora Lerman Charitable Trust, artist residency, Laceyville, PA
2016 Brooklyn Art Space (six month artist residency with advisor Christina Kelly)
2015 The Fenimore Award, Art By The Lake, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY
2015 Gowanus Public Art Grant ($10,000); in collab w/ Gowanus Canal Conservancy
2014 Arts Advocate Award, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Brooklyn, NY
2012 Honorable Mention, Mountain Art Show, Bernardsville, NJ
2011 2nd Place Oils & Acrylics, Armonk Outdoor Art Exhibit, Armonk, NY
2009 1st Prize: Best Interpretation Of The NY Landscape, Fenimore’s Taste of The Sublime
Selected Group Shows
2024 Oak Spring; A Place To Grow, Oak Spring Garden Foundation, curated by, Danielle Eady
2022 & 2023 Upstate Art Weekend, Lexington House Gallery, curator, Jill Benson
2021 Art For Environmental Action & Climate Justice, curated by, Tracy Penn, New York, NY
2021 Gowanus Night Heron, curated by, Bonnie Ralston, Kaisa Zurek-Doule, & M. Draskoczy, Brooklyn, NY
2020 Regeneration In Place, with the Gowanus Swim Society & the Environmental Performance Agency, curated by Katherine Gressel, Old Stone House Brooklyn, BK, NY
2019 Green, Site Brooklyn, juried by Eva Diaz, curated by, Denise Amis, Brooklyn, NY
2019 Synapses, The Hewitt Gallery of Art/Marymount College curated by, Hallie Cohen NY, NY
2018 Processing, The Old Stone House Brooklyn, curated by Katherine Gressel
2017 The Four Seasons, Village West Gallery, curated by, Robinson Holloway, Jersey City, NJ
2016 Falling In, Trestle Gallery, curated by, Melissa Staiger, Brooklyn, NY
2015 Quantum Leap, Trestle Gallery, curated by, Katrina LaFranco, Brooklyn, NY
2015 Conversation Pieces, curated by, Andrea Alban, Fenimore Art Museum
2012 Art Show: Bedford!, St. Matthew’s Annual Juried Exhibit, contributing artist since 2005 2010 Eat Art – A Visual Feast, curated by, Pamela Talese, Atlantic Gallery, Chelsea, NY, NY
Education
B.A. graduated Cum Laude with honors in Fine Art, Hamilton College, NY 1994 Art Student’s League 2001-2003
Certificate In Horticulture / Brooklyn Botanical Garden 2022
Teaching
2020-2024 Mindful Nature Journaling Hikes in NYC Parks in all 5 boroughs
2024 Instructor of Botanical drawing & painting for Molly Oliver Flowers
2017-2020 Trestle Workshops; Instructor; Contemporary Botanical Drawing & Painting 2019-present Hamilton College; Guest Painting & Drawing Lecturer/Instructor
2019-present The Old Stone House Brooklyn; Instructor; Botanical Drawing & Plein Air 2020 Virtual Boathouse Botanical Draw, Dredger’s Boathouse, Brooklyn, NY
2016-2018 ArtLab Gowanus; Curator, Coordinator, & Instructor of art workshops
2008 - 2011 Adjunct Professor of Studio Art & Drawing, NJIT
Memberships
2021- Present Gallery Particulier (whose mission includes loaning art to low income households) 2024 - Steward/Gowanus Dredgers
2020 - 2022 - Gowanus Night Heron
2017 - 2020 Gowanus Swim Society Artist Collective
2013 - 2020 Gowanus Canal Conservancy Volunteer Committee Member & Co-Chair 2013 - Present Trees NYC – licensed citizen pruner
2008 - 2013 Embankment Coalition, volunteer/member Jersey City, NJ
Published & Collections
2024 Oak Spring Garden Foundation acquired Selected Weed; Mullein
2022 City Harvest; acquired/commissioned Urbanscape for City Harvest
2021 Gowanus Canal Conservancy acquired Urbanscape Triptych II; Gowanus Canal
2009 SUNY Cobleskill College of Agriculture & Technology acquired Bank Barn II
2010 The Barns Of New York, Rural Architecture of the Empire State, by, Cynthia G. Falk, Cornell University, 04/2012 Jessica’s painting Bank Barn was included in Cynthia’s book.
2022 Cover Art for City Journal Spring issue
Press Mentions
*Hyperallergic, Colorful & Immersive Expereinces at the 2017 Gowanus Open Studios,” by, Elena Goukassin
“Artists Inspired By The Canal,” by, Caroline Spivak for DNA Info “Go Gowanus,” Brooklyn Paper by, Sarah Dougan October 2016
“By The River Fumes: Painters Gather to render Gowanus Canal,” by Noah Hurwitz, Brooklyn Paper September 2014
“LikeKnowsLike” blog, featured artist photographed & written by Keturah Davis 2014 “Art for Food Lovers,” by, Charlotte Druckman, New York Times December 2010 “Jersey City Studio Tour 2011”, by Greg Brickly, The Jersey Journal September 2011 “Pictures At An Exhibition” by Even Marx, The Record Review January 2010
“The Beauty of Decay, Two Exhibits Find Art In The City’s Relics”, John Zeaman, Newark Star Ledger October 2010
“Painting En Plein Air”, The Daily Freeman September 2006
“New Artist’s At Colorscape”,The Evening Sun September 2005