Hello, I'm Jess LaPrade.
Bio: Jess LaPrade graduated from Eastern Washington University (USA) in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Art majoring in painting. She further pursued mentorships to learn the Old Master’s painting techniques. Her work has been shown in galleries nationally and internationally and been featured in publications such as Direct Art Magazine, Unify, and SolPurpose. She has also been a guest artist on Readymade Radio on KYRS FM. Statement: In my figurative paintings of women, I aim to evoke a timeless era of regal, feminine beauty. Some of my work conveys a somber resilience in the face of adversity. Overall, I aspire to channel some feelings of empathy and/or confidence in all my figurative works. Bold use of color and texture are an important element in my work. I use a combination of the Old Master’s techniques and my own impasto-like revision as a hybrid of direct and indirect oil painting methods throughout my painting process. My inspirations come from artists such as Gustav Klimt, Alfons Mucha, Jenny Saville, Daniel Richter, James McNeill Whistler, and Wolf Kahn to name a few. The ideas for my work stem from world travels, art history, literature, and interpretations of obstacles I’ve overcome in my own life. CV: Born in Washington, USA, 1983 Currently based between Portland, OR, USA and Glasgow, GB-SCT Education: 2006-2008 Bachelor of Fine Arts (major: painting)at Eastern Washington University, WA, USA 2002-2005 Associate of Fine Arts (major: painting)at Spokane Falls Community College, WA, USA Selected Exhibitions: 2025 The Waterfront Gallery (group exhibition) The Wales Contemporary 2025, Milford-Haven, GB-WAL 2025 The King’s Foundation, The Garrison Chapel, Chelsea Barracks (group exhibition) The Wales Contemporary 2025, London, GB-ENG 2025 Royal Nebeker Gallery, Clatsop Community College (group exhibition) Au Naturel: the Nude in the 21st Century, Astoria, OR, USA 2025 MarkArt, Gladys & Karl T. Wiedmann Gallery (group exhibition) À La Mode: The Language of Fashion in Art, Wichita, KS, USA 2024 Covet Art Gallery (group exhibition) Nature Lover, Oceanside, CA, USA 2024 Shockboxx Gallery (group exhibition) Not An Art Fair, Hermosa Beach, CA, USA 2020 Vision Train (group exhibition), virtual exhibition 2018 Parallax Art Center (formerly Elizabeth Jones Art Center), (group exhibition) The Artistic Sketchbook, Portland, OR, USA 2018 Parallax Art Center (formerly Elizabeth Jones Art Center), (group exhibition) Tree Emergency Response Team, Portland, OR, USA 2018 Rainbow Serpent Festival (group exhibition), VIC, AUS 2015 Envision Festival Tribe13 (group exhibition), Uvita, CSTR 2015 East Bank Building Gallery (solo exhibition), Portland, OR, USA 2014 Hart Gallery (group exhibition), Beaverton, OR, USA 2013 Gallery 114 (group exhibition), Portland, OR, USA 2011 Great Shape Inc. Fundraiser (group exhibition), Spokane, WA, USA 2011 Art Conscious Gallery (group exhibition), Post Falls, ID, USA 2011 Spokane for Japan Live Auction (group exhibition), Spokane, WA, USA 2011 Emerge-N-See Festival (group exhibition), Portland, OR, USA 2010 Second Space Gallery (solo exhibition)Amplified Growth, Spokane, WA, USA 2009 Montage Studios Gallery (group exhibition), Spokane, WA, USA 2008 BFA Graduation (group exhibition), Cheney, WA, USA 2005 AFA Graduation (group exhibition), Spokane, WA, USA Publications & Interviews: 2025 The Daily Astorian, Weekend Break: The Return of ’Au Naturel' 2025 The Shout, Stitches in Time: 'À La Mode' at Mark Arts 2011 Direct Art Magazine, Volume 18, SlowArt Productions 2010 (Sept) Spokesman Review, Voices Section 2010 FM Radio Interview with Bernadette Vielbig, Readymade Radio-KYRS Collections: Private collections in the United States of America, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom Awards & Residencies: 2017 Luminous Flux Artist Residency with David Heskin, Aloria Weaver, Katia Honour, and Wolfgang Widmoser, Ubud, IDN 2015 RACC's Professional Development Grant 2010 Sculpting Anatomy Residency with Alex Grey, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA 2007 The Eleanor & Clifton Rock Art Scholarship Professional Contributions: 2022 Selected as a juror for ApexArt, Open Call for New York City, New York, NY, USA 2019 Mural commission (400 sq. ft.), Elite Care at Fanno Creek, Tigard, OR, USA 2012 Art Therapist Internship,100th Monkey Art Studio, Portland, OR, USA 2009 Gallery Assistant Internship, Lorinda Knight Gallery, Spokane, WA, USA 2008 Mural commission (55 sq. ft), Missing Piece Studios, Spokane, WA, USA