Fine Art

Jessie Cuadra

Jessie Cuadra holding painting of flower in gallery beneath two more of her paintings

I seek to create a contemporary approach to classic subjects such as women, landscapes and still life with the application of traditional painting methods.

Colour and composition are the focus of my work, with a restrained colour palette used to emphasise form and style. Using a practice rooted in the exploration of past traditions, I revisit domestic issues, exploring female artists and their connections to my own life. This helps me gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a female artist and the difficulties that arise with co-existing as an artist, mother, and caregiver.

As a contemporary artist, I strive to make works that have a timeless quality, bridging the traditional and contemporary, with a desire to create pieces that speak to a wide audience.

The works selected mark significant moments of evolution in my painting. I have handpicked pieces where I have noticed a real leap in style and a progression in my work during this last year at ARU.

Throughout this journey, my focus has been on exploring the nuances of still life — a genre that has allowed me to experiment with colour, brushstrokes, and textures. It's been a year of painting to understand how I paint and reflecting on my style and choices.

Painting of flowers in pot with beads around it
Painting of plant in pot
Painting of plant in pot
Painting of flower and pot
Painting of flower and pot
Painting of flower and pot
Painting of flower and pot
Painting of flower
‘Still Life With Beads’, 2023 – Oil on Canvas – 60cm x 50cm. ‘Still Life #1’, 2023 – Oil on Canvas – 60cm x 50cm. ‘Still Life #2’, 2023 – Oil on Canvas – 60cm x 50cm. ‘Bloom #1’, 2024 – Oil on Canvas – 50cm x 40cm. ‘Bloom #2’, 2024 – Oil on Canvas – 50cm x 40cm. ‘Bloom #3’, 2024 – Oil on Canvas – 60cm x 50cm. ‘Bloom #4’, 2024 – Oil on Canvas – 60cm x 50cm. ‘Bloom #6’, 2024 – Oil on Canvas – 80cm x 60cm.