In Episode 47 of Inside the Frame Podcast, Frame Center welcomes the incredibly inventive artist Jess Hurley Scott, whose unique 3D reverse-painted acrylic works have captivated collectors and institutions alike. Jess blends technical expertise, creative vision, and a passion for environmental subjects to create art that quite literally pushes the boundaries of painting.
From Surface Design to Dimensional Art
Jess’s artistic journey began in New York, working in product design at Tommy Hilfiger and studying painting at night at the Art Students League. Her early experimentation—painting on glass and playing with light—was the seed that eventually grew into her now-signature layered acrylic works.
Each piece is constructed from three hand-painted layers of clear acrylic, with thoughtful spacing that creates depth and dimension. While the process is difficult to capture in photographs, seeing one in person reveals the full sculptural effect where light, shadow, and transparency interact in unexpected and mesmerizing ways.
Art That’s Engineered for the Eye
What makes Jess’s work even more fascinating is her approach to problem-solving. With a background in hard-line product development and interior design, she’s able to engineer custom systems for hanging, spacing, and displaying her pieces, balancing aesthetics with structural integrity.
In recent years, Jess has been developing a new bracket-based display system that allows larger pieces to be suspended without warping. This innovation became essential for her large-scale commissions, especially the massive backlit installation at Logan Airport’s Terminal A, which now greets travelers in stunning detail.
Unlike her traditional layered works, the Logan piece is fully backlit, requiring Jess to adapt her painting technique entirely. “It was like painting a stained glass window in two layers,” she explains, noting that light became the palette’s foundation.
New Directions and Upcoming Exhibitions
Jess continues to evolve her medium, pushing into new territory while staying true to her subject matter: the natural world. Her recent work includes botanical miniatures inspired by Acadia National Park, new forest scenes, and water paintings that examine the play of light, refraction, and perspective.
Currently, her work is featured in the “Summer Days” exhibit at Savage Godfrey Gallery in Norwell, alongside artists Jen Kelly and John Vinton. Each brings a unique lens to the theme of summer, with Jess’s dimensional realism offering a vivid contrast to her fellow exhibitors’ styles.
Looking ahead, Jess is preparing for a major solo exhibition at the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, scheduled for early 2027. Titled This Place, This Hour, the show will explore the deeply personal relationship people have with nature and the moments we feel most connected to it. The exhibit will feature her signature 3D works as well as new experimental lightbox installations designed to be portable and adaptable for future shows beyond the museum.
Educator and Advocate for Art
In addition to her studio practice, Jess is also sharing her expertise through workshops at the South Shore Art Center, where she’ll teach classes on painting water, light, and waves, giving others the tools to explore one of the most difficult subjects in art.
Her work continues to evolve, but her drive to innovate, educate, and deepen our appreciation for the natural world remains constant.
Frame Center has been the South Shore’s go-to source for expert custom framing and creative support for over 50 years. We proudly showcase and support artists like Jess Hurley Scott, helping bring their visions to life and into the homes and hearts of our community.
