Jessica Pisano is an award-winning artist who has had numerous solo and group shows. Her work is widely collected in both private and public collections all over the world. Inspired by the natural beauty of her hometown of Martha's Vineyard, Pisano’s interest in art started at a young age. She pursued her passion for the arts at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 1999 with a BFA in painting and photography. Pisano participated in a year abroad program to study fine art at the Lorenzo de Medici School in Florence, Italy. In 2002, she earned an MA in Arts Administration from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. “As an artist, I have always been inspired by nature – it is my muse. Birds and trees are the main characters in my paintings. I am both interested and intrigued by the comparison and contrast of these subjects, as well as their individual symbolism. Whereas birds embody a sense of freedom and transcendence – the link between heaven and earth – trees epitomize strength, wisdom, stability and growth – the noble character with roots firmly planted in the earth while its branches sway up into the sky, reaching out in polar opposite direction. Together, these varying symbolisms of each create balance: the yin to the yang. This balance found in nature is what I am interested in exploring and portraying in my work – my paintings are not intended to convey a specific message, but rather to evoke an emotion from the viewer. How the viewer interprets it is left to his or her own response.”