| Jessica Galbreth Interview |
| by Sue Babcock |
Jessica Galbreth paints fantasy. We here at Liquid Imagination celebrate her for
her ability to capture the haunting and mysterious beauty of goddesses and
faeries. Each of her paintings brings to life a personality of its own, and evokes
strong feelings in those who view them. Some of her faeries are elegant, sweet
and wistful, while others are defiant, dark and powerful. We were excited when
she agreed to an interview and are thrilled to present her answers to our questions
here.
her ability to capture the haunting and mysterious beauty of goddesses and
faeries. Each of her paintings brings to life a personality of its own, and evokes
strong feelings in those who view them. Some of her faeries are elegant, sweet
and wistful, while others are defiant, dark and powerful. We were excited when
she agreed to an interview and are thrilled to present her answers to our questions
here.
What would you like to tell us about
yourself that we may not know?
Aside from being a fantasy artist, I’m
also a wife and mother. My husband
works for our company and helps me
by making many of the products I
offer. My children are still very
small, but are turning out to be great
little helpers too who think what I do
for a living is great.
Recently, you illustrated tarot cards
for Llewellyn. How do your beliefs
and spirituality affect work such as
this? And I understand that these
illustrations were created before the
deck was conceived. Did this present
any special challenges?
Yes, most of these images were
existing images. I did paint a handful
of images just for the deck though, to
help fill in important images that
were missing. It is more of an Oracle
deck as opposed to a typical tarot
yourself that we may not know?
Aside from being a fantasy artist, I’m
also a wife and mother. My husband
works for our company and helps me
by making many of the products I
offer. My children are still very
small, but are turning out to be great
little helpers too who think what I do
for a living is great.
Recently, you illustrated tarot cards
for Llewellyn. How do your beliefs
and spirituality affect work such as
this? And I understand that these
illustrations were created before the
deck was conceived. Did this present
any special challenges?
Yes, most of these images were
existing images. I did paint a handful
of images just for the deck though, to
help fill in important images that
were missing. It is more of an Oracle
deck as opposed to a typical tarot
deck, which allowed us a bit more freedom. I was asked to write down exactly
what I felt each image conveyed and then Barbara Moore (the writer) elaborated
on my thoughts.
Could you say a few words about the word magick (spelled with a “k”)?
The reason I tend to use the spelling Magick with regard to my art is because I feel
it tends to let people know that I’m talking about the type of magick that is
mythical and spiritual (as opposed to the type of magic one associates with
magicians, card tricks, etc.).
what I felt each image conveyed and then Barbara Moore (the writer) elaborated
on my thoughts.
Could you say a few words about the word magick (spelled with a “k”)?
The reason I tend to use the spelling Magick with regard to my art is because I feel
it tends to let people know that I’m talking about the type of magick that is
mythical and spiritual (as opposed to the type of magic one associates with
magicians, card tricks, etc.).
What is your best selling painting? Why
do you think this particular one is so
popular?
So far it has been my painting called
Dark Queen. She’s one of my favorites
as well, and is one of those images that
I most often use for my business
literature and advertising. She is a
very dark, yet elegant faerie, which
seems to be what I’m best known for in
this field.
I know your art was featured in the
movie Nights in Rodanthe. Has this
changed the way people look at your
art? Has it brought you extra name
recognition?
I’m not sure if I’ve actually had anyone
see the art in the painting and then try
to find me. However, I will say that
being able to put that on my resume
has really been fun. If nothing else, it
was really amazing to see the movie
and see my art on display next to such
famous people!
do you think this particular one is so
popular?
So far it has been my painting called
Dark Queen. She’s one of my favorites
as well, and is one of those images that
I most often use for my business
literature and advertising. She is a
very dark, yet elegant faerie, which
seems to be what I’m best known for in
this field.
I know your art was featured in the
movie Nights in Rodanthe. Has this
changed the way people look at your
art? Has it brought you extra name
recognition?
I’m not sure if I’ve actually had anyone
see the art in the painting and then try
to find me. However, I will say that
being able to put that on my resume
has really been fun. If nothing else, it
was really amazing to see the movie
and see my art on display next to such
famous people!
Where does the inspiration for your
paintings come from?
I’m a huge mythology buff, and tend
to fancy the Celtic myths the most. I
do a lot of reading and then try to
envision how each deity may have
looked.
Are the faces in your work modeled
after anyone in particular? If so,
who and how did you select these
people?
Not really, although I’m often told
many of them look like me. I
suppose that could be true in some
cases, though I don’t do that on
purpose. I use various models for
pose reference, but I almost never
keep the face the same as the
model, as I love to make the
features exactly as I see them in my
minds eye.
paintings come from?
I’m a huge mythology buff, and tend
to fancy the Celtic myths the most. I
do a lot of reading and then try to
envision how each deity may have
looked.
Are the faces in your work modeled
after anyone in particular? If so,
who and how did you select these
people?
Not really, although I’m often told
many of them look like me. I
suppose that could be true in some
cases, though I don’t do that on
purpose. I use various models for
pose reference, but I almost never
keep the face the same as the
model, as I love to make the
features exactly as I see them in my
minds eye.
Can you describe your creative process - how do you come up with ideas
for a new piece and how you take those ideas and create a finished piece of
art?
I usually start by researching the deity I am setting out to paint. For example, I’m
working on a series of Celtic Goddesses at the moment, so before I even begin to
consider the painting, I read up on the deity in depth. Then, I start looking
through my files of pose reference to find a pose I think would work. Then, I wing
it (no pun intended) and come up with various sketches. Once I decide on the
layout I like best, I start the actual painting with pencil first, then begin to bring in
color with paint and pencil.
What is your all time favorite piece that you've created and why?
It has to be my new painting The Morrigan. It was the first piece I did with my
new pencil and oil style, and she just has me bewitched.
for a new piece and how you take those ideas and create a finished piece of
art?
I usually start by researching the deity I am setting out to paint. For example, I’m
working on a series of Celtic Goddesses at the moment, so before I even begin to
consider the painting, I read up on the deity in depth. Then, I start looking
through my files of pose reference to find a pose I think would work. Then, I wing
it (no pun intended) and come up with various sketches. Once I decide on the
layout I like best, I start the actual painting with pencil first, then begin to bring in
color with paint and pencil.
What is your all time favorite piece that you've created and why?
It has to be my new painting The Morrigan. It was the first piece I did with my
new pencil and oil style, and she just has me bewitched.
| The Morrigan |
Are you active in any online art
communities? If yes, which ones, and
why are you using them?
I used to be much more active on-line
than I am now. I’m really busy these
days, wearing many hats around here
and trying to keep up with creating new
works of art. I also am a mother of
two small children, which doesn’t leave
a lot of time for on-line art
communities. I do have one private
forum of close artist friends I do
participate in from time to time. Art
forums are a great way to connect with
peers, especially for someone like me
who works from home.
In what direction do you see yourself
growing as an artist?
I hope to keep getting better. Never
do I finish a painting and feel like it’s
perfect. I know I can always do better,
and so I’m constantly striving to hone
my skills.
What new ventures does your future hold?
I’m getting ready to release a brand new web site featuring my Celtic Goddess
series. It’s all done in my new artistic medium of colored pencil and oil, and I’m
really excited about finally showing the public this art. Also, I’m always looking for
great new products to put my art on. There are some way cool things in the works.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Just how lucky I feel to be able to make a living doing this art thing. I never, ever
take it for granted. I know I’ve had a fair amount of success over the past few
years, and it’s something I’ve worked very hard for and appreciate very much. I
really, truly value my fans, customers and the people who enjoy my art. Without
them, I wouldn’t have the inspiration or the gumption to keep creating.
I’m getting ready to release a brand new web site featuring my Celtic Goddess
series. It’s all done in my new artistic medium of colored pencil and oil, and I’m
really excited about finally showing the public this art. Also, I’m always looking for
great new products to put my art on. There are some way cool things in the works.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Just how lucky I feel to be able to make a living doing this art thing. I never, ever
take it for granted. I know I’ve had a fair amount of success over the past few
years, and it’s something I’ve worked very hard for and appreciate very much. I
really, truly value my fans, customers and the people who enjoy my art. Without
them, I wouldn’t have the inspiration or the gumption to keep creating.
