About
Jessie Emilie Schmode
Bio/CV
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Jessie Emilie is a Canadian artist based in Calgary, AB. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia (2024) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Alberta University of the Arts (2022). With experience as a graduate teaching assistant in visual art and critical & creative studies, she has also led painting and drawing workshops and hosted artist talks. While not a licensed therapist or psychologist, Jessie has done a lot of research into spiritual meditation and the therapeutic applications of art, believing in its power to foster self-expression and alleviate stress and anxiety.
As an oil painter, Jessie explores the absurdity within the mundane, uncovering beauty in odd and overlooked details. In a world where people often seek escape through books, movies, video games, and social media, she challenges this tendency by embracing the strangeness of everyday life. Rather than turning away from the ordinary, she highlights its richness, capturing moments of deep thought and introspection. Her work revolves around themes of self-discovery, body image, spirituality, and mental health. She frequently juxtaposes the human figure with symbolic, everyday objects, creating contemplative narratives that explore consciousness, existence, and meaning. Her paintings capture intimate moments of raw vulnerability; subjects lost in thought or relaxation, alone or in relation to others. Through unguarded, unabashed poses, she reveals their inner worlds while obscuring parts of the scene with strategically placed objects, provoking curiosity and deeper reflection. Houseplants often appear in her paintings, symbolizing resilience, growth, and transformation, core elements of her artistic vision. Drawn to the beauty of the unusual and the intimacy of feeling truly understood, Jessie strives to evoke emotional truths and foster meaningful connections. She believes profound beauty lies in being seen and understood, and through her work, she invites viewers to engage with these deeply personal yet universal experiences.
As an instructor, Jessie strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students can explore their own creative journeys. She provides step-by-step guidance through both group activities and individual projects, helping students build confidence in their artistic abilities. Her teaching focuses on foundational principles such as color, value, and composition, guiding students in mixing colors, experimenting with light and shadow, and arranging subjects on canvas or paper. Through her instruction, she encourages students to see how these elements can transform a blank canvas into a work of art.
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Jessie Emilie
Education
Master of Fine Arts
The University of British Columbia | Kelowna, BC | 2024
Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Alberta University of the Arts | Calgary, AB |2022
Exhibitions
2024 MFA Thesis Show “Spiritual Growth: The Unapologetic Nude” Lake Country Art Gallery, Lake Country, BC
2024 “Reconnection” Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC
2023 “Tissue” Artsco UBCO Student Art Show, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna, BC
2023 “Assemblage 2” MFA Group Show, FINA Gallery, UBCO, Kelowna, BC
2022 “Assemblage” MFA Group Show, FINA Gallery, UBCO, Kelowna, BC
2022 BFA Graduation Exhibition, Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Calgary, AB
2022 Annual 4th Year Painting Exhibition, AU Arts, Calgary, AB
2021 Annual 3rd Year Drawing Exhibition, AU Arts, Calgary, AB
Grants, Awards and Scholarships
2022 UBC Okanagan Graduate Research Scholarship
2022 UBC Graduate Bursary
Work Experience
2023 Full-Time Graduate Teaching Assistant, Visual Arts 137, University of British Columbia, Department of Creative Studies, Kelowna, BC
2022 Full-Time Graduate Teaching Assistant, Critical and Creative Studies 150, University of British Columbia, Department of Creative Studies, Kelowna, BC
Academic Work
2024 Thesis “Spiritual Growth: The Unapologetic Nude,” University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, UBC Open Collections, Direct Link: https://open.library.ubc.ca/soa/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0444011
Professional Certifications
2023 Letter of Completion: Creative Practice – Teaching Assistant Specialization Training, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC
2023 Certificate of Platform Operator Training, Sunbelt Rentals, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC
2022 Letter of Completion: Creative Practice – Teaching Assistant Specialization Training, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC
Artist Talks and Workshops
2024 Artist Talk and Hands-on Workshop with Students from George Elliot Secondary School, May 24th, Lake Country Art Gallery, Lake Country, BC
2023 Public Artist Talk and MFA Graduate Panel Discussion, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC
Artistic Projects
2024 Interior Murals, ProducKidvity, Kelowna, BC
2024 Exterior Mural, Private Commission, Kelowna, BC
2023 Landmark District Mural, Student Collaborator (Kelowna’s Largest mural 125 ft x 30 ft), Commissioned by the Stober Foundation, in Partnership with the University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC
2023 Interior and Exterior Murals, ProducKidvity, Kelowna, BC
2022 Interior Murals, ProducKidvity, Kelowna, BC
Commercial Galleries
2022 – 2023 Karmyc Bazaar Gallery, 2995 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC