Artist Statement
I’m intrigued by the natural world and human culture and how they can clash, intersect, and intertwine. I express this through paintings and drawings with both organic landscape elements and human-built features, and in murals that record and celebrate the natural environment and humanity.
My recent pieces were commissioned by clients seeking specific content and purpose in the art. I truly enjoy such custom work, mindful of the client’s wishes and, in the case of a public mural, their hopes for the community’s experience of it. I research facts and find reference images online, at libraries and museums, and at physical sites. The artist-client conversation continues throughout the project as I collect their ideas, formulate mine, and use my vision to make something beautiful for them.
My art is realistic and detailed, yet my favorite parts of each piece are often the abstract bits of shadow and background, sometimes imbued with symbolism. I’ve painted murals on splintered wood paneling, brick and cement block walls, dented vinyl siding, textured stucco, theatre sets, clear acrylic panels, windows, and a corrugated shipping container. In the studio, I work in oils, pen and ink, colored ink washes, colored pencils, and graphite.
Between commissions, I explore new visual expressions of nature, human activity, and what it is to be living on this earth.
Coleman Theatre with Picher Mines Poisoning the Land. Detail, Miami Chamber of Commerce Mural. 2018.
Testimonials
"Jessica was a pleasure to work with. She listened intently to our ideas, asked good questions, and provided constructive creative input. The scope of her talent gained our attention in selecting Jessica for a mural that would capture 150 years of Vinita history. Jessica researched the subject of our project to such an extent that her additive suggestions resulted in a work of art that exceeded our expectations. We're very proud of the art Jessica created for our building and the city of Vinita."
— Aaron Simms, building owner, Vinita, Oklahoma
“Artist Jessica Stout has an amazing eye for detail, and the public art she has created for our community reflects an immense amount of historical research. From the mural at the Miami Regional Airport of the T-6 aircraft used to train British flyers, to the wall-length mural at the Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce that tells the story of Miami, her work invites and rewards close scrutiny. She is an artistic and historical treasure!”
— Marcia Johnson, Retired Director of Library, Arts & Culture, Miami, Oklahoma
Bio
Jessica S Stout grew up in rural Ohio, where she developed an affinity for forest, field, and the creatures therein. She enjoyed exploring the agricultural lifestyle, regional architecture, and local history, themes that appeared in early drawings and that continue today in her landscapes, animal portraits, and custom murals.
From an early age, Jessica was intrigued by vintage illustrated children’s books and wildlife field guides. She created 4H project displays for the annual county fair, translating newly acquired knowledge into visually engaging presentations.
Jessica continued these interests in her undergraduate work at the College of Wooster, where she majored in studio art and minored in art history and biology. For graduate work at Morehead State University, she further explored expressive compositions and techniques in printmaking, drawing, and oil painting.
Jessica S Stout has spent most of her adult life in northeast Oklahoma in a country home of her own design with a big family and numerous animals. While her children grew, she produced commissioned paintings, but donated most of her work to local organizations at fundraising events. She served on several arts-related boards, taught summer art classes, assisted with children’s acting workshops, and gained large-scale work experience by painting sets for community theatre productions.
In 2010, Jessica was hired to teach studio art and art appreciation at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. She did this full-time, while also producing several indoor and outdoor custom murals. Seeking time to create more art, she requested adjunct status in 2018, then stepped away from teaching in 2020 to fully focus on creative work. She agreed to return to administer an online Introduction to Art course beginning in fall semester of 2022, and likes connecting with students again, but on her own schedule while maintaining a busy schedule of commissions.
Jessica S Stout has created over forty custom murals and enjoys working with clients to combine their goals with her vision. In addition to painting on walls, she continues to explore new visual expressions in her home studio, which overlooks a wooded stream winding across the prairie.
https://videos.oeta.tv/video/miami-mural-fest-7ux9g2/
Meadowlark Singing the Future. Detail, Miami Chamber of Commerce Mural. 2018.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Leadership Arts Oklahoma, Oklahoma Arts Council. 2013.
Morehead State University. M.A., Studio Art, 1988.
The College of Wooster. B.A., Studio Art with minors in Art History and Biology, 1987.
Public Art Creations: Outdoor Murals, Window Paintings, Signage
Shopkeepers of the Past-1926 Route 66 Auto Parts mural for the Ottawa County Arts Festival, Miami, OK. 18’x24’. 2024.
Photo-op spot mural for the Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miami OK. 7’x5.5’. 2024.
Mural with logo for Donkey’s Den boutique, Miami, OK. 6’x12’. 2024.
Transom window painting for Good Earth Rocks Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK. 4’x7.5’. 2024.
Window painting for Real Deal in Claremore, OK. 6.75’x12’. 2024.
Window paintings for the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Miami, OK. 6.75’x12’ and 6’x9’. 2024.
Window painting for Miami Little Theatre promoting the production of Oklahoma!, adjusted after the show to welcome visitors to Miami, OK and the Historic Coleman Theatre. 7’x9’. 2024.
Shop Window Paintings for Sunkissed Floral, Miami, OK. 4.5’x5.5’. Seasonally updated three times in 2021, twice in 2022, three times in 2023, and for spring 2024.Lenaswa Waayaahtanonki (Bison of the Whirlpool from the place of the Wea.) Pittsburg, KS. 10.5’x20’. 2023.
Interactive mural on the Miami Public Library, N Main St in Miami, OK. 14’x12.5’. 2023.
Holiday window painting for Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Miami, OK. 7.5’x6.5’. 2023.
Holiday window painting for The Cole Organization, S Main St in Miami, OK. Four sections, each 4’x3’. 2023.
Seasonal window paintings for First National Bank in downtown Miami, OK. Two sections, each 16’x8.25’. 2023.
Shop Window Paintings for Sunkissed Floral, Miami, OK. 4.5’x5.5’. Seasonally updated three times in 2021, twice in 2022, and three times in 2023.
meemhkwihkicia (red-tailed hawk), Miami Mural Fest 66. 10.5’x16’. 2022.
Lettering on commercial building, 4 columns, each approximately 1.25’x12’. Grand Lake, Afton, OK. 2022.
Lettering on commercial building, covering an area 25’x24’, beginning 12’ above the ground. Vinita, OK. 2022.
’51 Chevy Pickup on Route 66. Mural on the 1937 Route 66 Alignment SW of Miami, OK. 6’x8.5’. 2021.
Greetings from Miami, Oklahoma. Mural on the Otter Cove Diner Fence. Miami, OK. 4’x6’. 2021.
Spoonbill Fishing on the Neosho River. Mural on the Otter Cove Diner Fence. Miami, OK. 4’x6’. 2021
The Friendly Otter. Mural on the Otter Cove Diner Fence. 4.5’x4.5’. Miami, OK. 2021.
Dropped My Ice Cream. Mural on the Otter Cove Diner Fence. 2’x2’. Miami, OK. 2021.
Metal Fab Commercial Mural. Exterior latex paint on brick wall, beginning 8’ above the ground. 9’x9.5’. Miami, OK. 2021.
Worcester Academy Monument Paintings. Depictions of historic schools painted on a 1967 concrete monument, the focal point of a new park in Vinita, OK. 2021.
Historic Vinita Mural for the Sesquicentennial. H&R Block Building, Site of Former Cobb Hotel. Vinita, OK. 2020.
150 Wall Painting for the Sesquicentennial Pop-Up Museum. Eastern Trails Museum Annex. Vinita, OK. 2020.
Chelsea Route 66 Mural. BS Stop on Route 66. Chelsea, OK. 2020.
Vintage Garage Mural. Extreme Diesel & Automotive. Vinita, OK. 2020.
Wall of Vintage Petroliana. Extreme Diesel & Automotive. Vinita, OK. 2020.
White Oak Community Center Logo. Corrugated metal storage container in White Oak, OK. 2020.
Alien vs. Predator with Mario and Luigi Caught in the Middle. Extreme Gaming. Miami, OK. 2020.
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Centennial Mural, for Mural Fest 66. Miami, OK. 2019.
The Frozen Elephant Shaved Ice. Metal Fab Building. Miami, OK. 2019.
Metal Fab Logo. Metal Fab Building. Miami, OK. 2019.
Route 66 in Miami, OK, with Norseman and Wardog. Metal Fab Storefront. Miami, OK. 2019
66 Cultural District, in collaboration with NEO Students for Mural Fest 66. Miami, OK. 2018.
Insect Reverie, in collaboration with NEO Students for Mural Fest 66. Miami, OK. 2017.
Visual Reflections II: The Recreation of Miami’s Centennial Mural, in collaboration with NEO Students and community members. Osborn Drug Building. Miami, OK. 2013.
Route 66 Mural. Ruppert’s Tire & Auto. Miami, OK. 2010.
Public Art Creations: Indoor Murals and Other Paintings
Route 66 floor painting for Woody’s Bar-N-Grill, Miami, OK. 14’x12’. 2024.
Mural celebrating the Ottawa County community for the children’s section in the Miami Public Library. 7’x20.5’. 2023.
Route 66 Mural in Goodfella’s pizza, N Main in Miami, OK. 8’x12’. 2023.
Painting on brick wall above bar for Woody’s Bar & Grill, S Main in Miami, OK. 4’x5’. 2023.
Emblems and images representing Ottawa County and Oklahoma painted on the sides and doors of a wooden cabinet for the Miami Public Library. 36” tall with a combined width of 108”. 2023.
Hand-painted buffalo check pattern for a basement floor in Tulsa, OK. Approximately 92 square feet. 2023.
Memorial Mural for Lee Dell in Chapters Bookstore, downtown Miami, OK. 4.25’x16’. 2023
Route 66 local interest mural in Chapters Bookstore, Miami, OK. 4’x8’. 2023.
Prairie Wildlife Corner, Chapters Bookstore, Miami, OK. 7’x6’. 2023.
Ottawa County Farmers Market Mural in the 1930’s WPA Exposition Building at the Miami, OK fairground. 4’x46’. 2022.
Full Moon. 6’ diameter. Set painting for Miami Little Theatre production. 2022.
Cave of Wonders. 12’x10. Set painting for Miami Little Theatre production. 2022.
Two Murals for the Business and Technology Depart at NEO A&M College, Miami, OK, in collaboration with NEO alumna Kristi Roach Miami. 4’x7’ and 4’x12’. 2021-2022.
Adventures in Reading Mural for Chapters Bookstore in Miami, OK. 5.5’x8.25’. 2021.
Storybook Characters Mural for Chapters Bookstore in Miami, OK. 5.5’x15.5’. 2021
Portrait of Dr. K. Stafford-16th President of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, for the Wall of Honor in Commons Hall on campus. 20”x16”. Oil on Belgian linen panel. 2021.
Communication Solutions Mural. Painting of office sites and local landmarks, for the Miami, OK, business headquarters. 12’x9’. 2021.
Misty Pecan Grove. Bedroom mural. 9’x20’. 2021.
See the Past and Dream the Future. Mural in the NEO A&M College Library Administration Building. 13’x11’. 2021.
NEO A&M Centennial Timeline, in collaboration with Students. NEO A&M College Campus, Miami, OK. 2019.
A Pictoral History of Life and Commerce in Miami, Oklahoma. Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce. Miami, OK. 2018.
Golden Norseman, in collaboration with NEO Students. NEO A&M College Campus, Miami, OK. 2018.
WWII British Flyers Memorial Mural. Miami Regional Airport. Miami, OK. 2016.
The Great Oklahoman Will Rogers. Will Rogers Middle School entryway. Miami, OK. 2016.
Route 66 Emblem. Ruppert’s Tire & Auto. Miami, OK. 2015.
From the Galaxies to Oklahoma Through Education. Will Rogers Middle School north stairwell. Miami, OK. 2015.
A Guide to Historic Sites in the Southwest Corner of Oklahoma. Museum of the Western Prairie. Altus, OK. 2014.
Wall Painting for Route 66 Display. Ottawa County Historical Society, Dobson Museum. Miami, OK. Donated 2012.
Chapters Oklahoma Mural. Chapters Books and Coffee. Miami, OK. 2008.
Reading Through the Seasons. Rockdale Elementary School. Miami, OK. Donated 2001
Recent Work in Private Collections
Tribute to Chief Cook of the Ottawa Tribe. Acrylic on canvas, 16”x20”. 2024.
Hancock County Courthouse. Oil on 20”x24” canvas. 2023.
Ceiling painting with cherubs, roses, and doves, painted in acrylics on four wood panels, each 4’x8’. 2023.
Oklahoma Bison. Acrylic on canvas, 24”x36”. Donated to Miami Arts & Humanities Council fundraiser. 2023.
A Sure Rope. Acrylic on canvas sheet, 5’x7’. 2022.
Oklahoma-Earth and Sky. Acrylic diptych on two stretched canvases, each 48”x36”. 2022.
Into the Light. Acrylic on 16”x20” canvas. Donated to Miami Arts & Humanities Council fundraiser, 2022.
Sunset Scissortails. 24”x18”. Oil on canvas. 2021.
A Flock of Ewes. 18”x24”. Oil on canvas. 2021.
Portrait of a Purebred Limousin Bull. 8”x10”. Oil on canvas. 2021.
Double Corgi Portrait. 10”x8”. Acrylic on canvas. 2020.
Cottonfield Reverie. 22”x30”. Ink wash and colored pencil on Arches watercolor paper. 2020.
Windmill at Stonehill Sunset. 12”x 24”. Oil on linen canvas. 2020.
Old El Reno Post Office. 11”x 14”. Graphite and ink. 2020.
The President’s House at NEO A&M College. 8”x 10”. Oil on canvas. 2019.
Percheron Team. 11”x14”. Graphite. 2019.
Shipley Hall on the Northeastern A&M College Campus. 16”x 20”. Oil on canvas. 2019.
Portrait of Diego. 16”x 20”. Oil on linen canvas. 2018.
1920’s Main Street, Miami, Oklahoma. 18”x 24”. Acrylic on canvas. 2018
Sunning Bobcat. 9"x12". Pen and ink and ink wash. 2017.
Professional Teaching Experience
Adjunct Online Introduction to Art Instructor. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Fall, 2022 to present.
Adjunct Art Instructor. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. 2018 through Spring, 2020.
Full-time Art Instructor and Academic Advisor. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. 2011-2018.
Adjunct Art Instructor. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Miami, Oklahoma. 2010-2011.
Art Camp Coordinator and Instructor. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College’s Summer Art Academy. 2012-2016.
Volunteer Work
Organizer for the Ottawa County Arts Festival (formerly Miami Mural Fest 66) and founding Member of Miami Mural Fest 66 Planning Committee. 2017-2024.
Assistant for the Miami Community Mural project at the Ottawa County Arts Festival. 2024.
Speaker at the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission’s launch of the Kickstart 66 Tour. 2024.
Member of Miami Main Street’s Design Committee. 2023-2024.
Coordinator of “Mini” Mural Fest 66, in a partnership between the Miami Arts and Humanities Council and the Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma, which brought together 11 local artists to create and celebrate public art after a year of pandemic isolation. 2021.
Miami Arts and Humanities Council-Member of the Board of Directors, serving several times as President and as Secretary. 1998-2023.
Art Camp Supervisor and Instructor, Miami Arts and Humanities Council’s “Art for Fun.” 1997-2022.
Set painting for Miami Little Theatre plays and musicals. 2004-2022.
Miami Little Theatre Board of Directors. 2008-2012, 2019-2020.
Miami Public Library Children’s Spring and Summer Art Class Instructor. 2005-2007, 2012-2013.
Friends of the Coleman Theatre Board of Directors. 2008-2013.
Miami Sk8 Paint Community Project Supervisor. 2013, 2014.
Integris Hospital Foundation of Miami Board of Directors. 2007-2013.
Miami Downtown Development Design Review Committee. 2008-2011.
Miami Little Theatre’s “Youth on Stage” Summer Children’s Workshop. 2007-2011.
Ottawa County 4H Day Camp Art Classes. 2008.
Honors and Awards
Dobson Distinguished Faculty Award. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. 2018.
Student Body Government Outstanding Faculty Award. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. 2017.
Miami Arts and Humanities Council Patrons’ Choice Award for Auction Art. 2001, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018.
Presidential Partners Norse Pride Award. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. 2014.
Dobson New Faculty Award. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. 2014.
Calcagno Award for Contribution to the Arts in the Community. Miami Arts and Humanities Council. 2013.
Charles Banks Wilson Award for Contribution to the Arts in the Community. Miami Arts and Humanities Council. 1998.
Outstanding Graduate Student in the Visual Arts. Morehead State University. 1988
Graduation with Honors. The College of Wooster. 1987.
Induction into Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society, Kappa of Ohio Chapter. The College of Wooster. 1987.
Wild Life. 37”x50”. Oil on Canvas. 1988.
Page header background: Dragonfly, Detail. 12”x15.5”. Etching. 1988