Jessie’s Arts joined Facebook on November 13, 2013 with thanks to the help of Jessica McIvor’s support worker, Becky Vermette.
Nicki McIvor, Jessica’s mom was quite hesitant at first not wanting her daughter to have to deal with any negativity...but she agreed to the page.
Within hours comments about Jessica’s artwork began to show up on the page, in a couple days requests for custom orders and within five days, Jessie’s Arts had received 1000 likes.
Jessica McIvor was born and raised in Princeton. She has lived here all of her 30 years with the exception of living in Kelowna for a couple of years to receive medical care for her heart. Jessica was born with Down Syndrome and had two holes and a blockage in her heart, which caused her to be very ill for quite some time.
“She is all good now,” said mom Nicki, “We are lucky and it is lovely to have her. We are never bored,” she adds with a chuckle.
Jessica graduated from Princeton Secondary School in 2002. She has volunteered at the Princeton and District Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Wick’s Law Office and on the Trans Canada Trail. In her day group, New Beginnings, Jessica enjoys helping to organize special events —especially the dances.
Drawing began for Jessica around the age of three. “I remember when I was little, about three - in the old place, I grabbed crayons and felts and starting drawing all over the walls and the fence outside. I think mom was a little ticked off,” she said with a giggle.
Her mom laughs and adds, “The whole house, everything at her level had stick figures everywhere!” Jessica’s dad had to strip, prime and repaint the entire house.
“Mom finally bought me some paper and I’ve been drawing almost my whole life,” said Jessica.
As well as drawing, colouring and painting, Jessica enjoys working with clay at Shirley’s Arts —she has been taking classes with Shirley for about a year.
She enjoys the music of Nicki Minaj, all different bands including The Fab Fourever, (which she saw recently here in Princeton at the Riverside Theatre) and watching horror movies.
Jessica says that someday she would like to be a writer, a film maker and would like to learn to paint real stain glass windows.
Jessica spends “a long time every day,” on her art work. “Even when she’s supposed to be sleeping,” says her mom.
She uses only—very specific about this, only the fine tipped Crayola felt markers because simply, “They are pointy and work the very best,” said Jessica. She goes through a box of them each day.
Her artwork is created by viewing images, and then she draws them out. One special creation is that of her very own — “lady holding the sun.” She creates this one in many different ways. She also likes to work with velvet posters and Dover Books - Stain Glass Butterflies.
The rising popularity and support with Jessie’s Arts has excited Jessica, is building her confidence and inspiring her to do even more. So much so, that mom has had to put a temporary hold on custom orders to give Jessica time to catch up! Jessica is ambidextrous, and every so often, mom has to make her take a break to give her hands a rest.
Jessica decided she wanted to help the people in the Philippines, so, she and her mom have been hosting short term auctions of her artwork to raise money, which they will distribute to the Philippines, via Princeton’s Red Cross.
Offers to purchase artwork from Jessica have been made, but she prefers not to sell—to make people happy, she gives. Donations can be made to assist Jessica with her the purchase of envelopes (to mail out artwork), sketch books, Crayola fine tipped felt pens, paints and the roll out pencils she likes to use.
Jessica thinks her art page is, “So cool, maybe if I draw really, really better, I could see Ellen, or Queen Latifah or Oprah,” she said.
On Nov. 23 Jessie’s Arts reached 2000 likes and as of press time, Nov. 26 she is well on her way to reaching 3,000. To view the talent and share in the joyous nature of this already rising star, please visit www.facebook.com/jessiesarts30.