April 2026 - Jesica Carleton

From an early age, I've had an insatiable curiosity and a passion for exploring new things. When I was in third grade, I arrived home after school with an art project that had some sort of bad mark from the teacher, because I’d done a tree “wrong”… I don’t remember much about the actual piece, but I do remember my mother marching over to the school to read that teacher the riot act. Due to my mother's unwavering support and fierce defense, I learned the importance of standing firm in my creative vision. This early lesson in resilience and self-expression laid the foundation for my lifelong artistic journey.

I am constantly drawn to new and unexpected experiences, and I love working with diverse artistic mediums. My eclectic journey has included sewing, quilting, paper quilling, batik, calligraphy, ceramics, welding, acrylic pour painting, alcohol inks, sculpture building, cement casting, print-making, collage, watercolor, cooking, Japanese brush painting, polymer clay, epoxy resin craft, glass fusing, and mosaic art. Even now with my focus primarily on mosaic art, I continuously seek to push the boundaries of this medium, refusing to be constrained by its traditional limits.

Throughout my career, I've grappled with the expectation of maintaining a consistent "voice" in my art. However, my body of work is a tapestry of abstracts, landscapes, whimsical pieces, representational works, and art that spans various sizes and settings, from indoor to garden, and from 2D to 3D. While I admire artists with a clear, consistent style, I've embraced my need for perpetual exploration and innovation. This relentless experimentation and the joy of learning new techniques have sometimes led to failures, but I value these experiences as essential steps in my creative journey.

Beyond my personal artistic endeavors, I am deeply committed to inspiring others to discover their own creative potential. As a teacher, problem-solver, and innovator, I continually seek the coolest and most interesting ways to bring artistic visions to life, and I love the inclusivity of mosaic art, believing it can empower even those who doubt their artistic abilities.

I also enjoy spending time working and volunteering at the DIYCave, with the CNC plasma cutter and Boss laser, and in the metal shop, and cherishing moments at home with my very tolerant and supportive husband, three dogs, and two cats. Jesica has become indispensable to exhibit operations at the Dry Canyon Community Art Center and volunteers many hours.