Jessica Husvar is one of two artists selected for the 2025 Recology+AAYC AIR, a collaboration between Recology Western Oregon and the Arts Alliance of Yamhill County. The program invites artists to reimagine discarded materials and engage with the concept of transformation—both in their art and in their process.

Jessica brings a thoughtful, exploratory energy to this opportunity, blending curiosity with a quiet confidence that comes from creating on her own terms. Whether she's working on a mural, experimenting with new textures, or simply observing the way light falls through trees, her approach is rooted in observation, emotion, and an openness to discovery. In our conversation, Jessica shared her journey into art, her evolving creative style, and the quiet power of making space for beauty on purpose.

Learning by Doing, Growing Through Play

Jessica Husvar didn’t always think of herself as an artist. “All of my friends were more artistic than me,” she recalls. “It really bugged me.” In college, she gave herself a challenge: to practice every day for a year, even if she wasn’t good at it. “Even if I suck at it the entire time,” she remembers thinking, “I’m going to practice and see how far I can get.” What started as an experiment quickly turned into something more.

Jessica began with watercolor animal portraits before expanding to acrylics, murals, and ultimately oil painting, her current favorite. “Oil allows for more 

Jessica Husvar Mural

blending and depth,” she says, “but it really depends on the piece.” For whimsical or illustrative work, she still returns to watercolor; landscapes and more naturalistic pieces tend to find their home in oil.

Her style leans impressionistic, though that, too, is evolving. “I like warmth in paintings, whether that’s from the light source or just the color palette. But I’m trying to move toward being more evocative than realistic.”

Inspired by Nature and New Challenges

Jessica is deeply drawn to the natural world. “Nature scenes definitely draw me the most,” she says. Her travels to the Alaska’s mountains, the Grand Canyon, even local forests inspire her attempts to capture what moved her. Sunsets remain a persistent muse. “That was my main goal when I first started with watercolors: to 

Jessica Husvar - Recology AIR Submission

learn to capture a sunset. Still working on it.”

Other artists also feed her creative curiosity. “When I see something that makes me go ‘Wow, how did they do that?’ I love trying to figure it out.” That sense of experimentation and discovery fuels her practice. “I’m always picking up new tools, new techniques. That’s most of the joy for me.”

From Canvas to Murals to Glass

While much of Jessica’s work is in traditional 2D mediums, she doesn’t limit herself. Her first glass mosaic was created as part of the 2025 Recology Artist-in-Residency—was a leap into the unknown. “It was a total experiment,” she says, “and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I want to do more like that.”

Broken glass on the ground reminded her of sea glass. The colors and the way light played across the shards sparked something. “It got the wheels turning.”

Jessica’s creative practice continues to evolve. “I think it’s about becoming more comfortable with the materials and learning the techniques first, then playing with them.” She emphasizes the word play. “Experimental sounds like you’re aiming for a goal. Play is different, it’s about exploring. It’s from the heart.”

Working with Purpose

While Jessica takes on commissions, including pet portraits, house renderings, and murals, she finds particular satisfaction in art with a broader purpose. “I really like doing public-facing art,” she says. “When I create something large-scale for an organization or a community space, it’s incredibly satisfying.”

One of her favorite projects to date was a mural commissioned by the Newell House Museum near Champoeg. “Everyone there was so supportive and kind.  It made the experience even more meaningful.”

She hopes to do more murals and more mixed-media work in the future. “I’m definitely interested in working more with glass,” she says, “and incorporating more 3D elements.”

A New Chapter in the Community

Jessica lives between Newberg and Dundee and is just beginning to connect with the local arts community. Her aunt, active in McMinnville’s cultural circles, encouraged her to apply for the Recology program. “As soon as I read about it, I thought this sounds so cool.”

While new to AAYC, Jessica sees the local art community as a valuable extension of her learning. “This is the first time I’ve been actively involved in an art scene,” she says. “It feels like people are promoting me and that’s new.”

She’s already thinking about what’s next: participating in the Lavender Festival, reaching out to local galleries, and eventually joining the Art Harvest Studio Tour once she has a permanent studio space. “I’m excited to be part of it going forward.”

Advice for Emerging Artists

Jessica’s advice to other emerging artists is simple: “Create the type of art that makes you happy. Don’t focus on what others think.” She emphasizes developing basic skills and trusting your own voice. “Even now, I sometimes feel weird showing people my art. What if they don’t like it? But that’s not the point. It’s about expressing yourself and embracing what you’ve created.”

Art and the Accordion

Outside the studio, Jessica is currently learning to play the accordion—something that might surprise those who know her only through her art.

If her work had a soundtrack, she’d choose “Vincent,” the song about Van Gogh, or the instrumental music from Studio Ghibli films. “It’s beautiful, expressive, and peaceful,” she says, much like her art.