Vanessa Spollen-Jaramillo
Vanessa Spollen-Jaramillo is a Philadelphia-based artist whose work explores the subconscious mind, folk narratives, human archetypes, and our symbiotic relationship with nature. Inspired by themes of love, loss, death, rebirth, and personal stories from her upbringing, Spollen’s creative process involves excavating imagery rooted in these concepts. These familiar images evolve into dynamic compositions through lines, shapes, and colors on the canvas.
Vanessa earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Stockton University in 2018 and completed her MFA in Painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, in 2023.
Collect Bean: What’s the kindest thing someone can say about your work?
Vanessa Spollen-Jaramillo: The kindest thing someone can say about my work is that it evokes a deep personal connection. My goal as an artist is to create pieces that resonate emotionally and offer a sense of connection and healing. I hope that my work can unlock feelings within others, providing comfort and solace through the stories and worlds I depict. While I may not share your unique perspective or fully grasp your personal experiences, I aim to connect with you in this complex, often bewildering universe, reminding you of the beauty and home that reside within you. Ultimately, I use painting as a means to express love and foster meaningful connections.
Collect Bean: Where are you currently finding inspiration?
Vanessa Spollen-Jaramillo: Currently, I’m finding inspiration in my friends who are creating work and different life experiences that pass by. Music has always been a big inspiration of mine, and with every season I’m always looking at what new or old music I can discover!
Collect Bean: How does your painting process look like from start to finish?
Vanessa Spollen-Jaramillo: My painting process usually starts by carving out a shape to start painting. I then take some time to think about what story can be told in the vessel of that painting. Usually, the idea morphs and shifts many times until everything is balanced.
Collect Bean: Are there any artists or movements that have inspired or influenced your work?
Vanessa Spollen-Jaramillo: Elizabeth Murray and Frida Kahlo were always two big inspirations of mine. I’ve pondered how to convey such emotional depth in my own work as both of them. Inspired by how Murray created dimensionality and playfulness in her shaped canvases, I’ve always been eager to learn how to make my work breathe and come to life- exploring scale, color, and organic forms. Kahlo’s emotive expression through figuration has also always captivated me, and I have begun to see how I could create my own language by exploring the human figure.
Collect Bean: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Vanessa Spollen-Jaramillo: Keep going! Never give up, ever. Focus on all the beautiful moments that you have in this body. One day you’ll miss even the weirdest and most challenging moments.
Collect Bean: If you could be in a show with any artist, who would it be and why?
Vanessa Spollen-Jaramillo: It would be my magical and oh-so-talented friend, Amy Wilson! She was a Cranbrook graduate with me. She is one of my biggest inspirations and best friends. She depicts so beautifully and accurately the duality of life and all that encompasses it.
