ARTIST COLLABORATOR: Jamie Derr
After performing as a vocalist/songwriter for over 20 years and working as a freelance make-up artist, I shifted to the visual arts as an additional outlet for expression. My fascination with the human psyche prompted me to obtain a BA in psychology from Wellesley College, where I helped to develop psychological scales in the personality psychology field. In 2023, I merged art and psychology through “Art of Healing,” a solo exhibit, at the Rhode Island Health Department. Also, engaging with audiences while performing music, and gaining the tactile experience of make-up artistry with my education influenced my ability to capture the essence of a person on canvas.
Besides attempting to understand others through paint, I love capturing dramatic lighting and color, which is the overarching theme in most of my work. I am fascinated by artificial and natural lighting that can be seen in nocturnes and portraits. Since a young age, I have been fascinated by city lights in the evening in urban areas. Some of my earliest memories include peering out of the car window at the city. I often explore the tension and contrast of light in most of my recent work, which I also discussed in detail on episode 30 on the AART Podcast, and while presenting at the Greenville Library during an “Artful Conversation” as a feature artist. Besides winning Best in Show for my rendition of Sargent’s painting of Lady Gertrude at The Franklin Historical Society, “Thayer” was selected to receive an award and international recognition in the Art and Color 365 Magazine. I am also thrilled to have two paintings on display in the National Museum of American Illustration, which houses paintings such as those of Maxfield Parrish and Norman Rockwell in the Imagist Collection.
Recently, I’ve become an artist member at The Collaborative in Warren, RI, as well as a member of Oil Painters of America, and an artist member at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society. I am honored to be a Board Member at the Portsmouth Arts Guild and selected to be an exhibiting artist at the Providence Art Club. I continue to exhibit in both group and solo shows.
I continuously seek to help the viewer understand my journey as much as I share my journey to understand others. With intention, passion and the use of bold colors and lighting, I aim to create pieces with depth and meaning now and in the future.
