A Beaumont-Wilshire Creatives Series
Jessica Bernert, a visual artist based in Portland’s Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, captivates audiences with her vibrant oil paintings that often feature “geometric birds,” landscapes, and portraits. Her distinctive style harmoniously blends naturalistic and geometric elements, reflecting her background in graphic design and her deep appreciation for nature.
A graduate of Portland State University, Bernert spent 15 years specializing in beverage branding. While she continues to work in design, her true passion is painting. She’s inspired by the natural world, particularly birds and flowers.
“I decided to try oil painting and use one subject matter for one year and that was birds,” Bernert said. “And then I just got really into birds because I got to know them.” Her work showcases a unique fusion of fine art and graphic design. “I think my style is kind of illustrative as it’s hard for me to do loose.”
Bernert’s artistic journey gained momentum after her daughter left home, allowing her to dedicate more time to her craft.
“It was not until my daughter was starting to leave the nest that I got more serious about my art, because then I had time for it.”
Studying under Russian oil painter Katia Kyte (katiakyte.com), Bernert honed her skills in landscape painting. Her creative process is both structured and exploratory. She begins with orange-primed canvases, sketches her designs with pen, and applies layers of oil paint to achieve rich, luminous results. Bernert is also experimenting with acrylics in her expressive “drippy” abstract pieces and is trying her hand at portraits as well.
Bernert’s work has been showcased at local events, such as the Wild Arts Festival put on by the Portland Bird Alliance, Portland Open Studios, and Art in The Pearl. To make her art accessible, she offers smaller original pieces on canvas paper, as well as prints. Operating under the business name Pail Art — a nod to her galvanized pails of supplies — Bernert celebrates creativity and the joy of getting messy through her dynamic and inspiring artwork. “Now, it’s just a calling.”
Explore her work at pailart.com.
David Friedman, @friedart, is a visual artist specializing in papercutting, printmaking, and painting. He and his dog, Poppi @poppipdx, can be seen daily at Wilshire Park. His work is on display at the Alberta Street Gallery, daily 11-7.