What is the best thing that I love about my work?  Painting becomes a solace experience and a form of personal healing and growth for me. My wet specimens and taxidermy are my way of preserving beauty and continuing to cherish and love an animal even after death.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? Appreciating the imperfections in life and viewing them in a beautiful light.

What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear in life is losing the ones that I love, and having my time with them cut short. And never having children to carry on my legacy and passion for art.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?  Lack of self marketing and promoting. My overall disinterest in the business side of art.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? Arthur Braud his work inspires me to no end. And Emil Melmoth his sculptures are hauntingly beautiful.

What is my greatest extravagance? Art supplies, taxidermy, my 15 year old puppy MaryJane.

On what occasion would I lie? To spare the feelings of a loved one.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? My lack of understanding the value of my work and skills.  Undercutting prices of my work way lower than they should be.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I am the happiest with my work when I experiment and try new things. Learning a skill, using and growing from them. Every piece that I finish is a proud moment of saying, look what you can accomplish.

If I could, what would I change about myself? My inability to cook.

What is my greatest achievement in work? Never being defeated, and willingness to go against the grain.

Where would I most like to live? I have been fortunate enough to have lived and travel to many different beautiful places in this world. But I have found that New Mexico will always forever be my home. My heart and soul were made in this desert and I am forever connected to her.

What is my most treasured possession? Heirlooms and sentimental items passed down to me from my family. Knowing generations of my loved ones have used, loved or cherished these items gives me a link to the past.

What is my most marked characteristic?  My crazy feral hair.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?  The majestic Organ Mountains and our beloved Rio Grande.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? Any food truck really, here they are all amazing, authentic and great.

What books influenced my life and how?  Das Parfum by Patrick Suskind, I felt a personal connection with the main character, his passion seemed to have matched my own.

Who are my favorite writers? Clive Barker, Patrick Suskind , and  Richard  Matheson

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Anything by Maynard James Keenan or Hans Zimmer

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Tank Girl all day every day

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?  My mother will always be the strongest person that I know. I owe everything to this amazing woman. To how she raised her five children, to how she 100% has supported my love of art from such a young age. No matter how weird it may have been.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? What Dreams May Come, Perfume: Story of a Murderer and Natural Born Killers

What role plays art in my life and work? My whole life has revolved around art. Since I was a small child I have always been encouraged to use my hands and create.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My amazing husband and my ever supporting family.

Whom would I like to work with in 2018? I am a person of solidarity, but I would love to get my work into more galleries this year.

Which people in my profession would I love to meet in 2018?  Honestly anyone that I can learn from.

What project, in 2018, am I looking forward to work on? Every project is a learning curve for me. I look forward to seeing the growth in my art year by year.

Where can you see me or my work in 2018?

Art Obscura  3206 Harrelson St, Las Cruces, NM 88005, 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicamarkhamstephens/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.markham.77

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I world without passion is a world without art.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Marilyn Garrett

How can you contact me?

E-mail Sii_lotus@yahoo.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jessica.markham.77

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicamarkhamstephens/