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.

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.