Jessy Laubis
It’s our pleasure to introduce Jessy Laubis, who has artwork featured in the Community Art Collection housed at Baird & Warner. Pre-pandemic, Jessy organized and curated art market events for the Berwyn community, championing local creatives in a meaningful way to share and sell their work to local collectors. However, when Covid set in, the market had to pause, just like all in-person events. During the pandemic, Jessy was able to return to her own painting practice, which brought her an abundance of joy. We welcome you to learn more about Jessy and her current art practice.
“I’ll never have time to make all the ideas I have swirling around. So, I guess the things that I actually do get around to creating are the ones that my soul needed to make.”
Artist Q&A
A conversation between Michelle Ruiz and Jessy Laubis
Michelle Ruiz: Tell us a little about your background and what led you to develop your art practice.
Jessy Laubis: I attended SAIC for a year after I graduated high school. Not really knowing what medium I wanted to focus on, I took a break from school for a few years. In 96, I attended UIC, where 3 years later, I received a BFA in Studio Arts with a focus on painting.
Post college, I did some group shows at some neighborhood galleries in Chicago. I lived in Wicker Park at the time and had the opportunity to become friends with many neighborhood artists in the Flatiron building.
In 2008 my husband, baby boy, and I moved to Berwyn. It was here that I actually started to really promote my work, investing in my ideas and making more portable-sized artworks.
Because I was now living in Berwyn, I wanted to collaborate with the art community in Berwyn. I created and curated a monthly Craft & Vintage Market in the neighborhood. It showcased local artist-made products. Unfortunately, after 5 years running, the pandemic brought things to a halt. Though I haven't yet got that show up and running again, I made many connections that created new opportunities for me.
MR: What does your current art practice entail?
JL: I make all of my work at home. In my dining room, you can find several paintings I am working on, in addition to all of the sewing materials I use in creating my soft works. For me, it is helpful to work at home because I never know when or how much time I have to create my work. I am a mom of two teens, two cats, and a dog. Uninterrupted work time can be scarce. Ideas or painting solutions can come to me at any time of the day. Existing for a bit with my ideas in progress, allows me to edit and create my ideas more effectively.
MR: We are excited to be featuring the work Untitled in the Baird & Warner Collection. Can you tell us more about this piece and what inspired this work?
JL: The abstract painting, Untitled, is a special painting to me. For almost five years I hosted and curated an art market in Berwyn. Like many things that shut down during the pandemic, the market I curated was one of them. This pause gifted me the time to reconnect with my love of painting. Untitled is full of visual activity, organic and hard-edged lines, and a color application that is soft and bold. I like for my abstract works to invite the viewer to enter the piece from multiple points and exit through another.
MR: In addition to your painting practice, you create soft, whimsical sculptures. Can you tell us more about this body of work and what inspired this direction?
JL: Sewing has been a part of my entire life. When I was little, I can remember my Mom working on the sewing machine. She would make my siblings and me matching outfits, dolls, and costumes. When I got married, she made my wedding gown.
To me, the stitched lines mimic that of a hand-drawn line. I get the same satisfaction from sewing fabric as I would painting a surface or assembling a collage from mixed material.
I began creating soft sculptures, heirloom toys, and about twenty years ago. I've always tried to use repurposed fabrics. There are more choices of textiles, it was better for the environment, and it was more cost-effective than buying fabric.
My soft sculptures are both hand and machine sewn. Fabrics are manipulated and oftentimes hand painted. The end product is a piece of art that can be held in your hands and not limited to just hanging on your walls.
MR: Are there any mentors or favorite artists that have inspired your work?
JL: Some mentors who have inspired my work would have to be my parents. They have always been my biggest fans. There was never an artistic drought in our family. From traveling and performing as entertainers at a young age to doing theatre, playing instruments, singing, and making art, my parents dipped us a bit in all of it.
In college, I was fortunate enough to have studied with Kerry James Marshall. He taught painting at the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I took as many classes as I could with him. In 2017, Marshall was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. I still think about his instruction when I mix colors.
Last but not least, I have to mention my sweet friend Jojo Baby, who recently passed from cancer. Jojo Baby was an influential artist and one of Chicago’s original club kids. We became friends back when I lived in Chicago. Jojo made soft sculptures and dolls, amongst many other things. Jojo is the reason I began making heirloom toys and soft sculptures.
MR: What is the best way for people to learn more about your work?
JL: The best way for people to see more of my work and upcoming events is through my IG @jessylaubishandmade or on Facebook at Jessy Laubis Handmade.
Artist Information
Jessy Laubis
IG: jessylaubishandmade
Click here for the catalog to view the Community Art Collection currently on display at Baird & Warner.