We recently had the chance to connect with Jes Reger Davis and have shared our conversation below.
Jes, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Every day I carve out time for a walk along the Heritage Trail, a paved path nestled between urban sprawl and rolling hills that snakes alongside Big Wheeling Crick (“creek” for those who aren’t from Appalachia). It offers a sliver of peace that cuts through the chaos of city life. As I wander down the path, I am surrounded by wooded hillsides full of birdsong and chanting insects, occasionally interrupted by the cyclist passing left or the roar of semi trucks barreling down the highway. The winding path follows the crick, which is home to waterfowl and a pair of beavers I have been observing since last winter. I find joy in walking and noticing the changing seasons and wildlife along the trail; my walks here often serve as inspiration for my sketchbook observations and paintings.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a nature lover and watercolor artist, much of my time is spent at the edge of the woods, down by the crick, and among the meadows and rolling hills where I observe flora and fauna that breathe life into my paintings. My work explores our connection to the natural world, drawing inspiration from its beauty–ranging from plants and wild animals to interesting colors and patterns. The Painter’s Nest is my home studio, my corner of Appalachia where I capture the natural world in watercolor and share my love for painting through classes and workshops, inviting others to explore the wild and beautiful world that surrounds us.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
This may sound silly, but my relationship with my dog, Sprocket, has significantly shaped the person I am today. Having him as my “studio assistant” makes life much more enjoyable. He has taught me the importance of taking breaks when I’ve spent too much time in the studio, and he reminds me to get outside on sunny days to enjoy adventures in the woods. He’s always encouraging me to rest and take snack breaks, as productivity has many forms.
I’m a gentle soul with an adventurous spirit who loves being surrounded by trees and wild things. I appreciate slow living and lazy afternoons on the porch while I scribble in my sketchbook. Sprocket brings out the best in me, always reminding me of who I truly am.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell myself to color outside the lines. Let go of perfection; it’s ok to play, explore, and make mistakes along the way. Your creativity deserves to flourish without the burden of making perfect art.
A decade has passed since I first picked up a brush, and I am finally dedicating a sketchbook to creating art that brings me joy. My sketchbook is a place to explore mediums, scribble gesture drawings, and record moments. My sketchbook allows me to be imperfect, embracing process over finished product. It’s a creative, beautiful mess full of ideas, memories, and observations that are far from perfection.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think our definition of success is skewed. We’re taught success is defined by what you accomplish, rather than how you feel. We often spend so much of our lives striving for success and looking for tangible achievements when we should focus more on how our actions affect our feelings. Success doesn’t always have to be grand; often, it’s the small moments in life that bring us our greatest joy.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m long gone, I hope people will remember my passion for creativity, my love for nature, and my desire to connect with my community through art. They’ll reflect on my deep appreciation and respect for nature and Appalachia, told through my paintings. They’ll share stories of my classes and workshops that inspired others to create without barriers and find joy in making art. Much like a cryptid, they’ll whisper tales of the “bird lady” who could identify birds by their song and whose brushstrokes traced every delicate feather. I hope they remember my adventurous spirit and would rather be known for the small joys I left behind rather than any great accomplishments or accolades.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thepaintersnest.com
- Instagram: www.instagram,com/jesreger_watercolor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesregerwatercolors
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jesregerdavis
- Other: blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/jesregerdavis.bsky.social
Image Credits
Shiloh Leath Photography
