Jessica Dougherty of Jessica's Pin-ups [jdougherty26]

	What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist? I am a modern pin-up artist who works mostly with digital painting in Photoshop.
	What is your message? paint pin-ups because I love all things beautiful and enjoy the sense of playful sensuality I found in the old pin-up masters' works such as Elvgren. I love nothing better than a good giggle and eyebrow raise when looking at an artwork and I strive to achieve the same result in my works. I think it is wonderful to be a woman and celebrate my femininity through my artwork. I believe that what makes a woman beautiful lies not only on the outside, but must also radiate from the inside. Therefore, I find my favorite subjects to paint are those women whose distinct personalities I already know or can easily see in their photos. Often it is not your run of the mill super model that elicits a physical or emotional response but rather, the woman you see in your local coffee shop. The mere fact that they are "real" and attainable makes their image more seductive and personal. All of the women that I paint, including myself, are women who truly exist in the world (looking their best of course). They are soft and supple, opinionated and bitchy, inviting and compassionate, strong and smart. Most of all, they are not victims but instead, proud and unashamed of their sexuality. To me, that is the ultimate form of feminism.
	Your biography in four lines. I grew up moving from place to place but am originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I now live with my husband, daughter (6), son (1) and kitty in Seattle, WA. I received my B.A. from the University of Washington in 2001 and have painted free-lance for private collectors and gallery shows ever since.
	Do you upload your work to the web? If so, where could we see it? Yes, all my work can be viewed at www.jessicaspinups.com or various pin-up collection websites on the web.
	How is an idea born? For you, what is inspiration? I'm inspired by beautiful women (faces especially) and sexy poses and attitudes. I also love moody settings and vibrant colors.
	What is art? Art is a beautiful expression of what we see and think about in every day life...only better.
	When do you get your best ideas? Completely randomly it seems...they just come to me when I'm doing dishes or gardening etc.
	How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not? Usually once it is too late and I've already created a bunch of artwork. I have to get it out first and then step back and decide whether it's good enough to bother showing or not.
	When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist? Ever since I was a small child and a teacher asked me in 2nd grade after I had won all the art contests for the year if I was going to be an artist when I grew up. I told her no at the time because I didn't think it was actually a real job.
	Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities? We're passionate people who don't hold back and usually don't have problems expressing ourselves.
	Do you consider yourself postmodern? Ummm, well sort of but not in a crappy way. I think most post modern and modern art is garbage (I don't buy collage or poop smears on a canvas as being art seeing as a 3 year old can produce the same thing). I am part of the neuvo return to realism movement if anything.
	How should a work of art be evaluated? I think it has to be technically good (ie. rendering and color theory etc.) but also it should evoke some kind of reaction emotionally.
	Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday? Mostly yes, I think it is important in our quick paced society today to continue to grow and produce new things for consumption by the masses. You need to have a base that it is recognizably you and your work but you also need to keep growing and trying new things to remain an interesting artist to watch.
	Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work? I've always loved Olivia's work because of her technical precision as well as great eye for color and poses. I try to take the same flair for fun sexuality and put it in my work as well as use of brilliant yummy colors. Greg Horn. I LOVE his women and his excellent digital renderings of them. I often look to his work when I'm stuck on color theory with skin on a painting.
	What do you think about public funding for the arts? I think it is important to teach art and the arts in general in public schools as well as make it available for everyone to see really good artists who supply the work you see in public places like parks and some galleries. I think it adds civility and culture to our cities etc.
	Does it pain you to let go of a piece you have sold? Nope, usually when I'm done with an artwork I want to get rid of it so I can work on the next thing.
	Is a work of art purchased, or is it better said, that it is the artist who is bought? I suppose yes you are buying a little piece of the artist recorded at a very specific time in their life.
	In art, there is no guide. How do you know what the next step is? Personally, I go solely on impulse. I frequently get big ideas and themes that I want to pursue and so I do. I don't think about it too much or I would never produce anything.
	How do you feel about the fact that the pieces exhibited in contemporary art museums are often of artists already deceased? I think it is wonderful to see masterpieces that inspire you to rise to their levels and abilities. I love to look at something that actually comes from another time and place. It makes history seem more real and tangible and it is interesting to see how little changes from the past to now when it comes to basic human needs and desires.
	What role have the figures of art dealer, gallery owners, representatives, and intermediaries in general played in your career? Some have been very helpful in making my art accessible to more people and creating more demand for it...others have used it for their own gain but such is life.
	What types of jobs do you usually do? I usually work with individuals on commissions to create works that are very specific to their needs. I love the delight on a client's face when I'm able to make real a concept they had but couldn't yet see. Often they say it is better than they had imagined...no better reward for me than that!
	Which of your jobs or tasks do you most enjoy? I love working with people on commissions but my favorite is when I get to put together groups of art around a common theme that I have full say on and are completely my inspiration.
	Do you personally collect any items? Olivia calendars and books about pin-ups throughout history. I think I have every Olivia calendar since 2000.
	Which websites do you frequently visit? www.cilm.com www.biancabeauchamp.com www.pinupglamour.com www.thepinupfiles.com www.myspace.com
	What advice would you give to those just beginning? Use the internet for everything. It is your best friend for networking and largely free. Also keep producing art as much as possible and you will get better and better through practice. Don't be afraid to ask questions and approach other artists or magazines etc. Connections and being friendly is just as important as the art you are producing.