My name is Jessica Londi. I am a 34-year-old artist originally from Italy and currently living in Galway, Ireland. Art has always been a part of my life and I love working with various mediums such as paint and colouring pencils on paper. Becoming an artist is a dream come true for me. 

I aim to bring happiness and pride to Limelight Creative Arts, an organisation in Oranmore, Co. Galway that supports adults with disabilities. Participating in the Connecting Artists 2023 programme holds great significance for me and the staff at Limelight. I also want to make my family proud. 

I love to experiment with different materials, including creating mosaics using ceramic tiles, making drawings, paintings, animations, and taking photographs. I want my artwork to evoke feelings of love and friendship. I also find inspiration in fashion. Apart from art, I like socialising, meeting up with friends, and laughter.  

Participating in the programme is important to me as it allows me to gain recognition as an artist. Looking ahead, my ultimate dream is to teach others to become artists, which would be a truly fulfilling accomplishment. The Connections Arts Centre has already provided me with the opportunity to present my own class on portraiture for hair and makeup, an experience that boosted my confidence. I am looking forward to showcasing my work for the first time at the exhibition in July.

My advice to aspiring artists is to be attentive, focused, creative, and to seek connections with different groups. I feel being an artist has a lot of meaning in one's life and allows them to bring pride to their friends, family, colleagues, and themselves and make a positive impact on the world.