Meet Jessica de Vreeze | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica de Vreeze and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, what role has risk played in your life or career?
It is a very interesting and fundamental question. Risk and taking risks can be viewed from many perspectives, depending on what matters the most to you. In a sense, I’ve always taken risks in my career.
I have changed my profession from being a lawyer to becoming a professional artist. I embraced who I truly was.

Accepting to give it my best and try to earn a living through my art was a huge risk if you think in terms of financial stability, material comfort and security.
Pursuing law represented another type of risk, an “immaterial “ risk, the risk of not living my calling. Yes, as a lawyer, I was doing a good job, it was interesting ,and I was able to provide for my family and myself from a young age (23 years old). From a career and financial standpoint, it was the safest choice. Continuing on that path, I was taking the risk of never becoming who I really was nor reach the full spectrum of possibilities life had offered me.

After turning 30 years old, I decided to quit law and start my journey towards becoming myself. Money is important to help us live, but taking the risk of pursuing what you want is an act of courage that is priceless. I smile as I think that some would rather call it “folie” (madness) and an act of foolishness.
At the time I made that decision, I was already married and a mother of 2 young children. I was earning a little more than my husband. It was a hard family decision but I am lucky and grateful to have a supportive husband who accepted my decision and encouraged me on this new journey.

You may say that it was not a huge risk as my husband also made a living and agreed to become the sole provider of our household. But this leads to another thought which is part of risk taking: Accepting help from others to achieve your dream.

“Letting go” was also the risk I took. For others, it would be jumping forward. I guess life is all about accepting this “pull and let go” dynamique. Taking bold actions to reach my goals is low on my scale of risk taking. Allowing yourself to get out of your comfort zone when you need it is fundamental to me.

Taking risks has played a positive role in my life, both personal and professional. So saying yes to risk is a big YES, but with a safety net and a plan. I always advise artists and entrepreneurs to have a plan B to get food on their plates.
Being too cautious makes you lose time, but you have to trust that if you are not willing to take the risk yet that may also be because you are not ready yet. Timing and patience, kindness towards yourself and others are an important key, as well as listening to your heart and true calling.

Living your life is worth taking risks.

So I will leave you with this thought: What is risk taking? Are you not taking the biggest risk of all by not taking any?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am an artist, a visual artist. I mainly uses photography but I do not hesitate to resort to other techniques such as painting (spray or brush), ephemeral installations and flashmob.
to immerse the viewer in an my universe.
My art doesn’t reflect trends, it reflects my heart and soul. I reflect the world in a positive way, the way I see it and people see this in my art, my communication.
There are always 2 parts in life, a part of light and a part of shadow, one transcending the other. I acknowledge both but I decide to look for the light, the possibility of light and share it with everyone and hoping for a full circle. Within my work, I invite people to travel, to feel, to dream and to share. That’s what my community loves about my work.

I am grateful that I have embraced my true calling, and for the responses I had from people.
I love to engage and create social interactions – physically, virtually or digitally – and that’s what I’m always trying to aim for through my art.
My work and success wouldn’t be complete without people. We nourish each other, create and bounce as a circle of energy.

I am now working on an art exhibition “Unchained Mothering”, bringing the invisible to light. Showing through photography the invisible work of women as mothers. It is important to recognize mothers.
Making women’s choice, valued, visible and free is how we raise the future generation. The idea behind Unchained mothering is for all gender, men and women, all parents, but with this first exhibition, Unchained Mothering is all about Women.

I am a mom of 3, my children are now 11, 14 and 16 years old. I am an artist for myself, but by working everyday towards my goals I try to teach them that all is possible, that as long as we believe, we can make it possible with hard work, dedication and big dreams.
I am moved and proud to show them that with every form of expression, including art we can make an impact of the world, make it better.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Miami is such a special city, it’s cosmopolite, vibrant, happy and full of surprises. Food wise, I have my favorite go to places. Coconut Grove is one of my favorite neighborhood, so many places to recommend, check out The Grove Girl, Karlee on IG for the latest news. A ceviche not to miss, go to Jaguar, and institution in Miami, a delicious coffee Panther Coffee, the best hamburger at LoKal by Kush and it’s sweet potatoes fries, in need of a nice patio and a cafecito at Chug’s diner, a pizza including gluten free pizza at Farinelli. Mr. C, the best ice cream for dessert with a panoramic view on the ocean. Ice cream place, just take a pick there are many. So many options just come and see. I love the Coconut grove Marina, I love to go and sit by the water. Outside of Coconut grove, Mrs Mandoline and Jaffa in the design district, Il Turco at Upper Buena Vista, Portofino in Pinecrest. Nikki Beach, Miami south beach. The Lido at the Standard on venetian causeway, heaven.
For more I would refer you to my blog, soparislux.com I have created a google map that I update often.

A few hidden gems: The house of Findings at Upper buena vista, a vintage miracle. The Wardrobe in coconut grove, a concept store I adore, Natalia grant a residency to one artist per season, always something to discover. Books and Books in Coral gables and Coconut grove. Wynwood Tribe, clothing and selection of art from living artists. Cecilia and Cosette in the grove, vintage table ware. Floralinea in the grove by Carlos Bello.

For more art, I would suggest to visit artist studio’s the Bake house art complex was a great discovery this past Art Basel Miami. In Miami south beach check our Cesar Arturo Rey’s Studio. In Pinecrest the Art factory. Near Ironside Fontainhead art studio, and discover among others the work of Joyce Billet. In the grove, my studio is open upon appointements.

In need of Zumba classes, be on the lookout for Andrea Ceballos, Yoga check out Annie Moves, cool classes also organized by FP movement in the grove. Yes the grove, Told you I love that neighborhood.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to Jennifer Weiser for her contribution to Unchained Mothering, she added in simplicity and style, a brilliant multipolentialite, I am grateful to have her on board. To Carolina Q. Avaria who went way and beyond representing Unchained Mothering with me these past month in Miami, Geraldine Guardia for helping me giving bones to Unchained Mothering and the video we are creating. To Caroline Culliere for her mentoring session, To Manuela Fisher for her amazing installation work and help in NYC during my last exhibition among other. For Natalya for always being there. To Carolina of Art Factory Project. To The Old Print Shop NYC who welcomed me so well. To my amazing collectors and community.

For the support the list is so long, I feel grateful, to my children and husband Menno. To my parents who went out of their way to let me find mine. A shout out to my sista’s, and Brothers you know who you are. A special though for my brother in law Robin de Vreeze that we lost in 2021. Always with us in thoughts, his benevolent energy is still encouraging me every day. To my family in the Netherlands, and France, In Luxembourg, Belgium, Israel and in the USA. To my one and only “Emy” Myriam who puts up with me since our teens years, to Diane, Seb, Joep, Cecile, Tran and their families.

A great thanks to Sylvie, Susan and Dean, Alexa (Wishbeads.official), Lesa, Nancy Hendrickson, Barbara (eye.love.love) and the beautiful community of Mrs. T. To Cathy and Florian, to Michal Spiegelman who taught me so much and for their constant friendship.

To my Miami Dream Team, my Luxembourg and french connection, my NYC friends always supporting and surprising me you will recognize yourself.

To all who joined me for Unchained Mothering, have a look at the website and instagram, you’ll discover the amazing women, Jennifer, Maureen, Manuela, Ellen, Tamar, Guillemette, Carolina, Viki that accepted to share their stories, the team that jumped in to bring this project to life, the artists that accepted to collaborate, among them Bruce Byers successfully and brilliantly wearing so many hats, Baptiste Tavernier who sent me his piece from Tokyo Japan right in time for the soft launch of Unchained Mothering during Art Basel Miami, Elias Dris, Tazzio Paris, Josiane Kartheiser, Cesar A. Rey, Coralie and all who are supporting this artistic manifesto in progress.

Website: www.jessicadevreeze.com

Instagram: jessicadevreeze

Linkedin: jessica de Vreeze

Twitter: jessica de Vreeze

Facebook: Jessica de Vreeze

Youtube: Jessica de Vreeze and Unchained Mothering

Other: 2 other IG @Unchained_Mothering and @jessicadevreezeportrait

Image Credits
Menno de Vreeze