Biography
Jamie Billings is a painter and illustrator in Southwest Missouri. Her experiences with mental health inspire her work. Her “Tiny People” series creates a whimsical escape with miniature people interacting with landscapes of bottles, dishes, and fruit. Her current series of paintings, “Shadow Work,” are ethereal women with flowers and jewels representing inner thoughts and emotions. Alongside painting, she creates digital illustrations including a webcomic, “Fortune’s Fancy.”
She has a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Art from Missouri Southern State University, where she previously earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. Her paintings have been in local galleries and exhibits such as the Dogwood Gallery in Neosho and juried exhibitions such as Nevertheless She Persisted at the Duam Museum of Contemporary Art and the MSSU Alumni Show. She teaches Music and Art Appreciation at Crowder’s McDonald County location. She enjoys playing bassoon in orchestra and band at MSSU, whittling, and spending time with her dog, Kora, and her cat, Autumn.
Artist Statement
My paintings and illustrations are informed by my experience with mental health issues. With oil paint, oil pastel, and digital media, I address loneliness, trauma, and depression. As a teenager, I delt with my dad’s terminal illness and eventual passing with very little support. My mother was invalidating, overly critical, and emotionally volatile. I entered adulthood with low self-esteem and unfortunately, entered a marriage with someone who didn’t support my artistic endeavors. Our divorce marked the start of a new life for me. I became fiercely dedicated to creating my art, which has always been a means of expression and escape.
Some of my work depicts my emotions and struggles. While I do not consider some to be “self-portraits”, I often depict myself playing various roles. These pieces allow me to work through various issues such as comforting my inner child or deconstructing my faith.
Other pieces are an escape, a journey into a whimsical, fanciful world. The world can be dark and unforgiving. There is still beauty and wonder, even in small places. I’m hoping my work resonates with the audience, evoking compassion and a feeling of interconnectedness that surpasses time and location.
