Love for Local Artists: Jessica Makowski, Mixed Media Artist

I had the privilege of interviewing local Erie artist Jessica Makowski for the September Love for Local Artists feature! Jessica uses artmaking as a way to work through their emotions, process past trauma and to come to terms with their identity.

I feel so honored that they were willing to share so much with me, and with you, here in this feature. <3 Read to discover more about what artmaking means to them, what inspires them, and more.

"surfing with Mother Moon" by Jessica Makowski, Mixed Media Artist

What does artmaking mean to you?

Making art is making life. I will be honest, I have yet to fully come into my own as an artist; I have been raising my children and making a life and working on myself; breaking patterns, you know? Trying to understand who I am and why. A year ago I started working with an amazing therapist (I chose her in part because she has art therapy in her background) and have been encouraged to use art as a means to express my emotions and work through trauma. The voices at the edge of my consciousness won’t let me be about it, and I have been pushing to allow myself to create.