Jessica Gilbert was born and raised in Vail Colorado on a small ranch. Ever since she can remember she has been riding horses. She’s ridden both Western and English, but inspiration her love for the western lifestyle showed when she started helping on a local ranch moving cows to the high country. She has a natural way with horses and her deep understanding led her to know how to paint the horse with a critical eye, seeing each horse for its individuality.
Jessica received her BFA from the University of Denver. After graduating, Jessica studied under mentor, Jim Rey, a well renowned cowboy artist. Jessica connected with Jim Rey artistically, his encouragement and guidance was a turning point in her young career. This past fall, she was awarded the Joe Beeler scholarship to attend the first CAA workshop taught by Jim Norton and Grant Redden at Scottsdale Artists’ School in Arizona. This workshop was a valuable experience, helping her grow and learn as a professional artist.
Over the past few years Jessica has been featured and supported by galleries in Vail, Beaver Creek and in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Recently Jessica moved back to Vail Colorado after living in southern California for a year. She is painting full time, working in her studio at home creating a body of work that excites her and inspires her, showing in shows throughout the west. She uses oil paints to create a minimal, feminine touch in western art, focusing on the horse. Always striving to learn, experiment and create. Capturing the cowboy and cowgirl in the American west. This September Jessica will be featured in Southwest Art Magazine as one of the artists 21 under 30.