Jess Dignam is a Malpas-based artist with a lifelong creative streak. From doodling in schoolbooks to tattoo apprenticeships, face painting, and SFX makeup, her artistic path has taken many forms. Over time, she found her way to animal portraiture using pencils and pastels.

In 2022, Jess took a two-year break from art for mental health reasons. That same year, she was diagnosed as autistic at age 32. During this time, she learned a lot about herself—but missed the act of creating. On a whim in February 2024, she tried acrylics for the first time and instantly fell in love with painting miniature seascapes and landscapes.

Jess’s work is rooted in a deep respect for nature and mental wellbeing. She sees beauty in imperfection and aims to capture that through her art. Her paintings reflect the belief that, like nature, art doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful.

When she isn’t painting, Jess enjoys tea, books, yoga, and bonding with pigeons. She lives in Malpas with her husband, daughter, two ginger cats, two guinea pigs, and an old dog.