Jesse Dees is a Tennessee based ceramic artist known for their horse sculptures and cowboy themed wall hangings. Originally a biology major, they discovered their love of ceramic art during their time at Transylvania University and changed majors to be able to be more involved with the arts. While attending they exhibited many pieces at the Lexington Art League and Morlan Gallery.  For their senior group exhibition, they co-curated, Half Dozen, held at Morlan Gallery in 2015. Jesse graduated from with a Bachelors of Art in Fine Art and moved to Cookeville, Tennessee to continue their education at the Appalachian Center for Art, Craft, and Design earning a Bachelors of Fine Art with a concentration in clay.

Their childhood was spent at the barn surrounded by horses which inspired their work to reflect the lessons learned. Jesse works in small sculpture, these pieces that are built solid and hollowed out. They specialize in raku firing which allows for carbon trapping and metallic glazes. The process of raku firing also brings about a more natural treatment to the work as the pieces are reduced in sawdust and other natural combustibles to create the carbon trapping and smokey effect. They have recently been exploring underglaze drawings and horse hair. Their work can be seen at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN.

Education

Brentwood High School 

2015

Transylvania University

BA Fine Art 2019

Tennessee Technological University 

BFA Ceramics 2023

Art related work experience: 

2023, volunteered at celebration of Craft, Appalachian Center for Craft

2018-2019, Digital Design Intern, Digital Blue Beagle


Exhibition: 

2023 Green, Senior Thesis Exhibition, Lakeview Gallery, Cookeville, TN

2023 Make.Do.II, Silver Fern Gallery, Cookeville, TN

2023 Annual Juried TTU Student Art Exhibition, Joan Derry Berry Gallery, Cookeville, TN

2022 Annual Juried TTU Student Art Exhibition, Hilltop Gallery, Cookeville, TN

2019 Half Dozen Senior Exhibition, Morlan Gallery, Lexington, KY

2019 PRHBTN 2019, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY

2018 Transylvania University Juried Art Show, Morlan Gallery, Lexington, KY2017

 Transylvania University Juried Art show, Morlan Gallery, Lexington, KY

2018 PRHBTN 2018, Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY

2017 Transylvania University Juried Art Show, Morlan Gallery, Lexington, KY2017

 Transylvania University Juried Art show, Morlan Gallery, Lexington, KY


Awards: 

2022 Volpe Library Purchase Award 2023, Tennessee Tech University 

2022 Bacchanal Scholarship, School of Art, Craft & Design, Tennessee Tech

University

2022 Windgate Scholarship, School of Art, Craft & Design, Tennessee Tech 

University

2018 Best in Sculpture, Transylvania University Juried Art Exhibition, Lexington, KY

2017 Best in Sculpture, Transylvania University Juried Art Exhibition, Lexington, KY

2015 TrailBlazer  Scholarship, Transylvania University

2015 Art Scholarship, Transylvania University

2015 Founders Scholarship, Transylvania University


Technical Abilities:

2014-present Glaze Mixing

2019- present Clay Mixing

2014- present Hand Building

2019-present Kiln Programing

2019-2021 Wheel Throwing

2019 Kiln Building


Artist Statement 

Working in raku clay, my work focuses on my personal history and connection with horses throughout my life. I create my works with clay because it reminds me of my childhood which was spent out at the barn or in nature. Each piece is inspired by a trial or tribulation that a horse presented to me and how I overcame it. In the equestrian community it is too common to push the professional path of a rider too early that the love of the horse is often lost. I strive for my work to remind people within the community of their original love and passion for horses that originally inspired them to start riding instead of focusing on the pressures and stress of riding and showing competitively.

My process of creating my work starts with a lump of clay and an armature. I build it up to get the ideal shape I want and start to add detail.  After it’s bisqued I either underglaze for a specific image I want to get or I raku fire it to get a natural metallic effect from the trapped carbon that comes from the reduction. 

My thesis exhibition, Green, shows my journey alongside the horses I grew up with and how they influenced my life to become who I am today. I learned a lot from the process of preparing for this exhibition and hope to use that knowledge to create more dynamic works in the future.

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