“It is in order to really see, to see ever deeper, ever more intensely, hence to be fully aware and alive, that I draw . . . Drawing is the discipline by which I constantly rediscover the world. “
Frederick Franck
Jesse received her BA in art, writing and women’s studies
at Vermont College of Norwich University.
She has designed art and nature programs for adults and children in Michigan and Vermont.
Her inspiration stems from seasons in a landscape, forest objects and flowers in fields.
Concern for challenges affecting our planet motivates her to use creativity as inspiration.
She teaches Botanical Art and Nature Drawing.
Her mediums are oil pastel, pastel, water color pencils and pen.
“When you have been in the forest for a while, deepening your sensitivity
to the forest’s presence, the richness concentrated in you cannot be
contained. You radiate forest wherever you go, whether or not you say a single word.”
Brian Swimme
Image: Indigo Mountains - Jesse LoVasco
ECOLOGICAL ART FELLOWSHIP
at United Plant Savers
June 2018
The UPS sanctuary was founded in 1994 by Rosemary Gladstar in order to protect medicinal plants that have become endangered because of over harvesting, warming climate and loss of habitat.
Jesse walked the 360 acre sanctuary, observing and sketching plants. In a yurt, on a tree log table, at the edge of the forest, Jesse painted, emphasizing the importance of these plants, so that each could be recognized by those who walk through forests.
United Plant Savers in Rutland Ohio is an international non profit organization protecting endangered medicinal plants.
MOTHERS OF THE SUN
The Mothers of the Sun Alphabet represents 26 plants and their medicines with the wisdom of 26 Native American Tribes that discovered their uses. NATIVE AMERICAN ETHNOBOTANY is the primary resource, by Dan E. Moerman.
The work is inspired by an excerpt from Deb Soule’s book, A WOMAN’S BOOK OF HERBS, the healing power of natural remedies.
“Eclectics and botanical practitioners received much of their knowledge from Native American people, but gave little credit to their sources. The exploitation of indigenous peoples’ knowledge and the destruction of their lands and communities occurred throughout the 1800’s and has continued into the present. This is a difficult piece of history that Western herbalists ignore.”
Endangered Medicinal Presentation Video at North Branch Nature Center