Jessie Monk is originally from Auburn, Alabama, however she is currently in school at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She is pursuing a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a concentration in Studio Art. Jessie was born and raised in Alabama and her work is inspired by her upbringing. From growing up on land and living around livestock to residing in the “Iron City” that is Birmingham, Jessie has a diverse experience in the South. She has been drawn to creating from an early age although it started with clothing and jewelry, her choice of medium moved to painting and collaging in high school. She is greatly inspired by the outdoors, the color and texture and sounds that surround us. Her work also stems from a deep influence on family. Being from a large, tight knit family, Jessie’s work also centers around comfort, warmth, and familiar feelings of home. Through her time at Samford, Jessie feels that her craftsmanship has grown a great deal. As well as her ability to problem solve and approach new mediums and ideas. Moving forward Jessie hopes to remain in an active state of observing the colors, feelings, and sounds around her and continue to transform those experiences into tangible art. Jessie believes that everyone has a right to beautiful things and that is her overall goal in creating, to share beautiful things with the community around her.