Jessie Babin grew up in Dalhousie before going to NSCAD to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts. After attending NSCAD. Jessie settled in Moncton after school, the great people and the laid back vibe is what made her come back to NB, it is where she felt the needed to be and settle down.

Jessie has been drawing since she was three years old. Her early work was inspired by Disney films and illustrations of Beatrix Potter books. Today, she does realistic work made from graphite and coloured pencils. Her inspiration now typically hits her when she least expects it. Sitting down and trying to be inspired just does not work for her, instead, going about her day something or someone will stand out in some way as an inspiration.

A career highlight for her was receiving the Honourable Mention at the 2015 Kingston Prize held here in New Brunswick at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton. Coming runner-up in a national competition was an amazing feeling and with the caliber of the artists in the show made it even more gratifying. In the next five years, Jessie hopes to be published in a magazine or book and also have a solo show. The biggest challenge she has faced has been trying to make a living as an artist. The first few years of it involved a lot of hard work and sacrifice, but it is worth it now because she is doing what she loves.

As an ArtsLink member, Jessie has found the events the most rewarding. She gets to meet new people and network with them. So often the arts can be a very solitary pursuit, but it is nice to be able to get out of that bubble and meet like-minded people to throw around some ideas.

Her favourite quote? “I’d rather regret something I have done rather than regret something I haven’t done” by Lucille Ball