MEET JESS

I’m Jess Farrell, an artist and Creative Director based in Abingdon.

My journey with creativity began through learning differently. I discovered that I understood the world best by making, experimenting and working with my hands. Through creating, I found expression and belonging, but building confidence took time.

For years, I questioned what art should be and worried about judgement. Over time, I realised creativity isn’t about fitting expectations. It’s about expressing something outwardly into the world. Everyone has their own story, their own pace and their own way of creating.

This belief now shapes my work. I create gentle, welcoming opportunities where people can explore with joy, feel seen and celebrate their ideas without pressure or judgement.

My practice focuses on re-imagining what already exists, transforming overlooked materials and everyday spaces into shared experiences.

Alongside my artist practice, I founded the Life Space Project CIC to support inclusive creative programmes and public art in community settings.

I believe creativity is for everyone.

CREATIVITY

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SUSTAINABILITY

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CONNECTION

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AUTHENTICITY

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CREATIVITY | SUSTAINABILITY | CONNECTION | AUTHENTICITY |

HOW I WORK


Artist-led and collaborative
Welcoming, low-pressure participation
Re-imagined and sustainable materials
Rooted in place and community
Designed to build confidence and connection

COLLABORATION & COMMUNITY

Collaboration sits at the heart of my work. I work with schools, charities, organisations and local spaces to bring creativity into everyday environments and invite people to express themselves in their own way.

Each partnership becomes an opportunity for shared making, connection and joy, from window displays and residencies to youth-led fashion shows and community projects.

A young woman with long hair, wearing a hoodie, sitting behind a table with holiday-themed items for sale, in front of a patterned wall.
Colorful buttons, beads, and sewing supplies on denim fabric and scissors on a wooden surface.
Person painting a chalk drawing of a dinosaur on the pavement.
A young girl with light brown hair in pigtails, wearing a denim jacket, kneeling on grass, looking at a white t-shirt with pink and purple paint splatters laid out on a cardboard surface.
Two women are sitting at a table, with one holding a small gift and the other looking at a smartphone. The table has Christmas-themed decorations and string lights in the background.
Two women smiling and talking indoors, one with long hair wearing a patterned sweater, the other with short hair and a dark blazer, with artwork and quotes on the wall behind them.
Children and an adult holding leaves, flowers, and seed pods in a garden with a plant growing in a black container.
Close-up of a person using a gold marker to add details to a dark blue and orange space-themed artwork, featuring stars and a celestial body.
Children painting a large paper with fall leaves design using orange and yellow paint, on a red and white checkered tablecloth.
Table with coloring supplies, sketch paper with outlines of fashion designs, and a person coloring a drawing.
Group of young children and an adult outdoors, all wearing yellow safety vests. The children are engaging in some activity near a red container filled with various seashells. Behind them, there is a fence and a parked car in a residential area.
Two women standing together at an indoor craft fair, one wearing a colorful dress and the other a pink dress with a denim jacket, surrounded by tables with jewelry and art displays, antique wall hangings, and other shoppers.
Collage of photos and colorful text describing a vintage shop called Mercy in Action, featuring retro clothing, jewelry, and floral displays. Highlighted words include 'stunning window', 'outstanding', 'fabulous place, great music + vibe', and 'color
A group of children in high visibility vests gathered at the entrance of Thameside Whizzer Park for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on a sunny day, with a woman using large scissors to cut a ribbon.
Children painting on a large white canvas with black and yellow paint, wearing blue gloves and surrounded by colorful leaves on a checkered tablecloth.
Two people taking a selfie in a gymnasium. The person on the left is a man making a thumbs-up gesture, and the person on the right is a woman smiling and waving. They are standing near mats and papers on the floor, with a wooden wall and a door in th
A collage of children engaged in creative activities such as sewing, embroidery, and crafting, with positive messages about self-expression, confidence, and happiness.
A pair of blue denim shorts decorated with pink lettering that says "Love" and a pink smiley face with a scribbled mouth. The shorts are surrounded by several sticky lip balm tubes in various colors and a piece of white paper with a child's painted s
A cluttered wooden table with art supplies, magazines, notebooks, scissors, glue, markers, and cups, indicating a busy craft or planning session. A person’s arm is reaching over the table.
Hand-drawn infographic titled 'What We Learned' featuring sections on new skills, personal development, feedback, and creative projects, with illustrations of a girl with a pink tree, scissors, fabric, art supplies, and photos of children and crafts.