QUOTE FROM - ROBERT SIMON, NEW YORK
Stephen Jesic has been an artist from his youth, and it has been now more than twenty years since he was able to devote his life full-time to painting. During that time he has exhibited extensively in his native Australia, and become celebrated not only for his extraordinary depictions of wildlife, but for his phenomenal technique in bringing animals to life. He has lectured and written about his innovations in using the medium of acrylics to render the finest detail, while at the same time suggesting an atmospheric setting for his subjects. Like the great naturalist-artists of the past, Jesic studies his models intensely. His paintings are as much individual portraits, as they are scientific representations of the species seen in their native habitats. Until now Jesic’s work has been little known outside of his native country – a result both of collector demand and his limited production. These extraordinary depictions of exotic birds – of parrots and macaws – represent the first significant group of Jesic’s paintings to be exhibited in the United States.
Stephen Jesic’s recent work has focused on African wildlife of all sizes – from meerkats to rhinos and elephants. These are not snapshot views, but intricate, carefully composed portraits of animals in their native environments. Based on both first-hand study of individuals and research into the habits, ranges, and behavior of the species, Jesic’s paintings portray not only how his subjects appear, but how they live.
Born in1951, Albury, New South Wales, Australia. Moved to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1952.
Moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 1983.
STUDIES:
Instrument Technicians Course, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Swinburne
Institute of Technology, 1969-1974.
Worked as a Service Engineer, 1974-1983.
Studied under three Professional Melbourne Artists 1970 - 1982
Undertook overseas study tours; USA, 1981, 1982 and 1983; Europe,
1983 and 1984. Techniques of the Modern and Old Masters were studied over the period, with special attention given to portraits, landscapes and still life.
Became a full time Artist during 1983.
Wildlife research and study tour, USA, September - October 1997.
Wildlife research and study tour, Ireland, UK, Singapore June – July 2006
Wildlife research and study tour, USA and Canada September 2012
Wildlife research and study tour, Singapore and UK 12 Dec 2014 - 5 January 2015
Represented in private collections in the United States of America, Japan, Europe and Australia
MEMBERSHIPS –
2006 - SIGNATURE MEMBER - ARTISTS FOR CONSERVATION
2007 - ASSOCIATE MEMBER - SOCIETY OF ANIMAL ARTISTS NEW YORK
2013 - SIGNATURE MEMBER - SOCIETY OF ANIMAL ARTISTS NEW YORK
2019 – ARC ASSOCIATE LIVING MASTER – ART RENEWAL CENTER
