Jesseline Dunn
I’ve loved drawing since I was a kid and could often be found tucked away with my sketchbook. I studied visual art throughout my high school years, with most of my art subjects being redrawn tattoos from magazines, of friends or anything horror related. Despite my longing to become a tattoo artist, I went to cosmetology school after graduating high school in 2008. Although my old dream hasn’t gotten much life, I continue to be inspired by tattoo artistry.
In 2021 after moving to Nova Scotia, I was able to retire from hairstyling with twelve years in the trade. Now I get to spend my days sketching, painting, reading tarot cards, decorating my home, and playing in my garden. These past five years I’ve become more disciplined and determined to DO something with my artwork and skills. I’m eager to see what I can help create in the 7Arts community, and where my solo art career will lead.
My artwork is influenced by divination practices, tattoo artistry, horror films, and oddities. My preferred medium has always been a 6B pencil, but I love creating with different mediums too, such as oil, acrylic, watercolour, charcoal and collaging.
From London, Ontario to Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, my art practice has gone from slinging hand painted Christmas cards to my first solo exhibit in 2024. I’ve vended holiday and spiritual markets from Digby County to Kings County and to the HRM. Two summers in a row I participated in Annapolis Royal’s Paint the Town event, where my pieces focused on the Fort Anne cemetery headstones and were drawn with charcoal. In September 2024 I had the privilege of vending at Halifax’s Oddities & Curiosities Show where I met “my people” aka fellow weirdos. One month later in October 2024, I had my first solo exhibit titled ‘The Strange Arcane’ at ARCAC Arts Place, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. My exhibit was filled with 27 pieces drawn in graphite and charcoal which depicted circus performers, succubae and divination practices. In 2025 I vended local markets and returned to Spiritual Expos and Halifax Oddities & Curiosities events across Nova Scotia.
You can find my printed artwork at the Neighbourhood Witch General Store in Halifax, Nova Scotia.