About the art
“The goal of my animal portraits and studies is to show people that animals are not so different and far apart from humans. My job as an artist is to give individuality to these animals. Here, you won’t find one fox face quite like another despite the fact that I've painted and studied 100’s of animals, many being of the same species. Oftentimes animals are disregarded by our own people and I don’t think it’s fair treatment, I try to be a voice for these people, animal-people. I am nothing but a mediator in a larger discussion between those who believe in human supremacy and those without a voice like our own.”
- Jessica Kurnas/Artist
...and now, about the artist
Jessica Kurnas was born in Mar. 1991 to Wendy and Terry Kurnas in Newport News, VA. Kurnas grew up in Williamsburg, VA where she lived for the first 25 years of her life. Kurnas received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2014. At the time VCU was recognized as the top public art school in the United States and is still recognized today as one of the best public art schools in America. In 2016, Kurnas married Curtis Long, a philosopher interested in conservation and also a public high school teacher.
Kurnas’ admiration for the arts began at a very young age with influences such as early 90’s cartoons, anime and videogames such as The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy and Pokemon. After seeing many people create amazing works of art, Kurnas decided she too wanted to be a part of that world, the world of the creatives.
More recently Kurnas has been inspired by the works of Alphonse Mucha to create affordable prints that are also very beautiful and elaborate in nature. Kurnas has adopted many of Mucha’s thoughts on commercial art. That belief is that commercial art can meet a greater audience due to its affordability in comparison to original paintings which costs the patron much more and that commercial art can be beautiful. Kurnas has a belief that art is meant to be shared with everyone and that it is one of the few things that makes humans unique and it is something as a species that we can be proud of. Kurnas’ art can be found throughout the United States, including but not limited to at the theater, various storefronts and galleries, and nonprofit organizations. Most of her work can be found in her new home state of CO.
Jessica Kurnas was born in Mar. 1991 to Wendy and Terry Kurnas in Newport News, VA. Kurnas grew up in Williamsburg, VA where she lived for the first 25 years of her life. Kurnas received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2014. At the time VCU was recognized as the top public art school in the United States and is still recognized today as one of the best public art schools in America. In 2016, Kurnas married Curtis Long, a philosopher interested in conservation and also a public high school teacher.
Kurnas’ admiration for the arts began at a very young age with influences such as early 90’s cartoons, anime and videogames such as The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy and Pokemon. After seeing many people create amazing works of art, Kurnas decided she too wanted to be a part of that world, the world of the creatives.
More recently Kurnas has been inspired by the works of Alphonse Mucha to create affordable prints that are also very beautiful and elaborate in nature. Kurnas has adopted many of Mucha’s thoughts on commercial art. That belief is that commercial art can meet a greater audience due to its affordability in comparison to original paintings which costs the patron much more and that commercial art can be beautiful. Kurnas has a belief that art is meant to be shared with everyone and that it is one of the few things that makes humans unique and it is something as a species that we can be proud of. Kurnas’ art can be found throughout the United States, including but not limited to at the theater, various storefronts and galleries, and nonprofit organizations. Most of her work can be found in her new home state of CO.