Jessica Campbell poses for a portrait with some of her creations in the studio of the Times-Free Press on Friday afternoon. Campbell is an artist who specializes in paper mache characters.Chattanooga artist Jessica Campbell said her interest in art dates to her childhood.
"My mom is a schoolteacher, so we were always doing little arts-and-crafts projects, but it wasn't until high school that I realized my potential," Campbell said.
"In high school, I made Mount Olympus, including the gods and goddesses [of Greek mythology], for extra credit. It was a major endeavor."
Today, Campbell's art has evolved into whimsical papier-maché-like characters of animals and people. Among her clientele is Victoria Stilwell, host of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog."
After high school, Campbell's interest in art was set aside when she started college at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage. And though she majored in psychology, she realized her heart was with art.
"I had an awesome psychology professor who told me to do what made me happy," she said. "So I got involved in art therapy."
After graduating and moving back to Chattanooga, she dabbled in art projects, especially at her daughter's school, where she was a teaching assistant.
"I just couldn't make enough money as an artist to support myself and my child," she said. "But no matter what job I had, I kept gravitating back to art."
Q: Describe your medium.
FACT FILE ABOUT HER * Age: 28.* Profession: Self-employed artist/chef.FAMILYDaughter, Victoria; parents, Jeff and Kathy Campbell; brother Ben Campbell.EDUCATION1999 graduate of Red Bank High School; 2006 graduate of Alaska Pacific University.FAVORITE BOOK"Animal Farm."FAVORITE MOVIEJapanese animé, "Ratatouille," "Harvey."SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU"I have been vegetarian since I was 10 years old. I am the only one in my family."
A: All of my pieces are made from recycled elements. I use a lot of water bottles and jugs. I mold and cut the plastic to form the basic shapes instead of using clay. I make a wire skeleton and add plaster strips -- like plaster strips used for casts on an arm and leg. It's a messy process. It hardens up and takes shape. At first, it was a trial-and-error process.
Q: Do you have a background in art education or art lessons?
A: No. I have only had one art class. I'm a self-taught artist.
Q: How did you kick off your art career when you moved back to Chattanooga?
A: I moved back to Chattanooga in 2006, after I graduated from college. When I got here, my daughter, Victoria, started going to prekindergarten at Normal Park Museum Magnet School. I started doing art projects with the students. They had art exhibits every six weeks, so it kept me busy. One time, we made a super over-the-top exhibit, and that set the bar for more like it. The process encouraged me to get more serious about my art.
Q: Does the term "starving artist" apply to you?
A: Yes, because I'm just getting started, but it's definitely getting better. I worked other jobs but was really missing art. But I also love to cook, so I decided to be a chef/artist. I began teaching people how to have a vegetarian diet and eat raw foods. I worked with people with cancer, diabetics, etc. I taught them how to make new styles of food. So when I'm not doing art, I'm cooking.
Q: What art-related activities have you been involved with in Chattanooga?
A: I made a sculpture for Chickstock [annual outdoors festival], and I also led the kid's activities there. I'm going to do it again next year, and we're going to make a huge dragon. I was the featured artist for McKamey's Paws Around the World fundraiser. My pieces were inspired by cats and dogs at the shelter. Victoria Stilwell [host of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog"] "adopted" one.
Q: How do you come up with ideas?
A: I'm inspired by stories. I read a lot. Most of my characters are from books and movies. I also make a lot of cats and dogs.
Q: How much do your pieces cost?
A: They average from around $75 to $200. I have been commissioned to make pieces that look like real people. I also make boxes for each piece I make.
Q: Where is your studio?
A: At home. I'm looking for something bigger because I'm outgrowing my space. I'm trying to get into the art community here. Next year, I hope to sell at the Chattanooga Market.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Still making art but on a larger scale. I'd like to have pieces in museums or in places around town.