Artist Statement
Vibrant in palette and bold in scale and subject, my artwork will add a sense of joy and a splash of color to your home, office, or outdoor space. I tap into my background in fine arts and interior design when creating paintings and murals that combine expressionistic brushwork, compelling color, and, often, a Pop Art aesthetic.
My work ranges from pure abstraction to playful portraits of entertainment industry icons, including Dolly Parton - a personal favorite of mine and my three daughters. I embrace the opportunity to collaborate with clients to bring their vision to life in custom works of art.
For more of my work, check out my Instagram
VIP Knoxville Magazine
May 2022 Issue
Featured in
JESSICA DOVER RAMSEY
JESSICA RAMSEY ART AND MURALS
Jessica Ramsey always knew she wanted to work for herself. And as owner of Jessica Ramsey Art and Murals, she is living her dream of doing just that. “Having watched my Dad all my life made me realize that I wanted to work for myself.” Ramsey said. “He told me after I graduated college to go out there and find someone who does exactly what I want to do and who is the best at it, and then go to work for them.”
Art has been a lifelong love of Ramsey, a former yoga teacher. “My mom started an art program at Sequoyah Elementary School, so I was surrounded by different types of art throughout my elementary and middle school years.” she explained. “By the time I started West High School, I wanted to take every type of art class possible. I then went on to the University of Tennessee where I earned a BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in Drawing. Following graduation, I moved to Nashville and got a job at a mall selling makeup and then I worked for a faux finisher. When I moved back to Knoxville, I worked at Bennett Galleries and taught art classes while selling my own art and murals every now and then on the side. I was really all over the place.”
In 2010, she opened her business. Her husband helps her by building frames and helps to hang them. I love owning my own business.” she said. “My first mural was for Label Industries, and then Toddy's Liquor store, Frank's Barbershop, and Todd Richesin. Toddy's Liquor is still there and Label Industries has now changed theirs. Frank's Barbershop had to be changed when they change their name to Gambuzza’s and my murals are still at Dead End BBQ and Todd Richesin in Bearden. I love working with clients to create custom artwork in social settings to attract business or to tie a room together. I'm really a specialty artist so once I meet with a client, we work together to figure out exactly what they want and what they need.”
When Ramsey is asked what her best selling product is, she immediately answers with one word: Dolly. “Dolly Parton is adored by so many and is definitely very popular,” she stated. “I got to meet her once and she took home a beautiful butterfly painting of mine to her house in Nashville. I'll never forget how gracious she was and I will cherish that memory forever. In addition to Dolly, social murals that showcase the company's logo and/or tell their story are also pretty popular. I love that I get to do what I always dreamed of doing. I love that it is constantly evolving and continues growing into something new. Starting out wasn't easy, and I had to overcome hurdles when first opening my business. My goal was to create enough buzz around my products to be able to do this work full time as a local business. I think local businesses are important because they invest in our community. Local businesses keep the community growing and create a good quality of life for everyone who lives here. My future plans are to do an Art Show in Nashville this fall and to work on A Dolly Mermaid mural for Dogwood Arts. I love what I do and I'm grateful for the opportunities I have been given.”
VIP Knoxville Magazine
May 2021 Issue
Featured in
JESSICA DOVER RAMSEY
By Gay Lyons with Photography by Whitney Jade Photography
Jessica Dover Ramsey, artist and owner of Jessica Ramsey Art & Murals, traces her love of art to 2nd grade. "My mother started the Art Masters art program at Sequoyah Elementary School. I got to explore different genres at home and at school. We got to be her test students. I became excited about art in elementary school. In middle school, it was my favorite class. At West High School, I couldn't take enough art.”
Jessica Dover Ramsey, artist and owner of Jessica Ramsey Art & Murals, traces her love of art to 2nd grade. "My mother started the Art Masters art program at Sequoyah Elementary School. I got to explore different genres at home and at school. We got to be her test students. I became excited about art in elementary school. In middle school, it was my favorite class. At West High School, I couldn't take enough art.”
“In college I focused on learning what I love to do,” she continued. “I didn't think about where I was going to take it.” She earned a BFA and Fine Art, concentrating in drawing, and moved to Nashville following her 2008 graduation. “I got a job at the mall selling makeup to pay the bills; then I met a faux finisher who hired me to start the next day. She taught me the business.”
In 2010, Ramsey was reunited with her high school sweetheart, Shay Ramsey; the couple moved to Knoxville and were married at Islamorada in 2012. Shay became Director of Operations for Dover Signature Properties. Jessica wanted to do faux finishing but wasn't sure how to do it. “I got a job at Bennett,” she said. “I was a salesperson, but at least I was surrounded by art.”
Mural work started to come, mainly exterior logos. “One of my first murals was Toddy's logo,” she said. Next came Label Industries and Todd Richesin. I slowly got the word out I was doing that.”
After the Ramseys’ three daughters, Austin Blake, age 5; Guinney, age 3; and Roxanna, age 2; started arriving, art had to be balanced with motherhood. She continued doing a little commercial work and taught at Painting with a Twist. Two things happened that propelled her career as an artist to the next level: Instagram and Dolly Parton.
“I used to be so bad about documenting my work,” she said. “Then I found Instagram and that has changed my business completely. I started posting photos of our I had done that was around my house. Now I have over 1,000 followers, and it's growing every day.”
Dolly entered the picture when Ramsey's friend Abby Ham asked salon owner Shane Archer of Grow whether he was taking his painting of Dolly Parton to the salon’s new location, referring to his small painting of Dolly with the caption, “I don't trust anyone who does her own hair.” “My friend Jessica could do a large mural,” offered Ham.
Ramsey's 8 x 14 painting of Dolly was a first. “I had never painted Dolly before. I made it come to life. I like doing things large-scale. I draw it small, then enlarge it, project it, so I have the scale right.”
“I'm the busiest I've ever been” she continued. Pop art is driving me right now, well known figures. Also abstract art. I'm still doing faux finishes, and I sell artwork at the Village Exchange. I have a one-thousand foot historical mural coming up in Oak Ridge.”
Ramsey hopes to have an art show later this summer at Hyatt Place in downtown Knoxville in lieu of the holiday art show postponed because of Covid. Part of the proceeds will go to the YWCA's Keys of Hope housing programs.
Ramsey will also be on a new show on HGTV. The Charleston, S.C. based series “Breaking Bland” introduces designer Mary Welch Stasik, who is Ramsey’s sister-in-law. During each episode, according to the producer, “Mary Welch will break design boundaries and encourage clients to eschew traditional looks to create a personalized space.” She really thinks outside the box,” said Ramsey. “Her style is mid mod with a side of rock & roll.”
“I'm honored that so many clients want murals and art in their space,” she said. “I consult with clients about their vision, and I make their dreams a reality. What they have dreamt up, I will manifest. I think great art tells a great story.”
“I love murals because the architecture becomes part of the artwork,” she said. “Large upscale public murals are my favorite. It's something to show my daughters so they can be proud of their mama. It's all about family and community and restoring things. Murals and art are a great way to marry all those together.”
“I want to be a good role model to my daughters like my mother was for me,” said Ramsey. “ I want to help support my family.”
