Meet Jess Nielsen

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Jess Nielsen again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Jess, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
I’m Jess Nielsen, owner and artist at Odd Vox in Houston, TX. I’ve been a freelance artist for over 20 years, and last spring, I decided to switch to self-employment full-time.

My inspiration comes from a diverse range of influences, including sci-fi, fantasy, surrealism, women’s rights, the subconscious mind, and the impact of technology on our lives.

I consider myself a multimedia artist and work with everything from paint and clay, to digital art, digital fabrication, and textiles.

I believe art has the power to facilitate novel ideas, effect change, and allow for self-expression. I strive to create pieces that resonate with folks on an emotional level.

Great, so let’s jump into an update on what you have been up to since we last spoke. What can you share with us?
Since our last conversation, I’ve been seriously getting into ceramics and learning to wheel-throw. My goal this year is to regularly show my work at local pop-up events, craft and art markets, and gallery spaces. While there’s definitely a learning curve to being a full-time artist, I’m excited to get plugged in to the local art community more.

I’m also showcasing a few of my digital art pieces at The Mars Society and The Earthlight Foundation online stores later this spring.

One of the most exciting aspects of my journey continues to be the connections I make with other artists and art enthusiasts. I recently starting working part time at HTX Clay to bolster my pottery skills, and it is providing me with invaluable opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and creative exchange.

Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue pushing the boundaries of my practice, experimenting with new materials and technologies, and sharing my work with a wider audience. I’m also passionate about using my platform to support other artists and foster a more inclusive and vibrant arts community in Houston and beyond.

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

Favorite Movie: The Shape of Water

Favorite Book: The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown

Favorite TV Show: Broad City

Favorite Band or Artist: Lake Street Dive

Sweet or Savory: Sweet

Mountains or Beach: Mountains

Favorite Sport (to watch): Baseball

Favorite Sport (to play): Volleyball

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Softball, volleyball, tennis, and basketball

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Actress/Singer

French Fries or Onion Rings: French fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Chuck Rhoades

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Arthur

Favorite Childhood movie: Hook

Favorite Breakfast Food: Potato, egg, and cheese tacos

What are you most excited about in the coming year?
Honestly, I’m excited to finally conquer wheel throwing and actually produce lots of functional pieces that doesn’t resemble a melted snowman.

I’m really looking forward to experimenting with new materials and techniques. I got a tattoo last year and spotted some glow-in-the-dark ink, and ever since I’ve been tossing around the idea of bioluminescent paints. I’m curious to see what kind of otherworldly glow-in-the-dark creations I can come up with.

Website: https://www.oddvoxart.com

Instagram: @oddvox

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalynnnielsen