Every great comic begins with a spark of imagination—and for Lake Anna artist Jessie James, that spark has been glowing since childhood. Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, to a nurse and a carpenter, Jessie grew up surrounded by creativity and craftsmanship. Her father, a carpenter by trade but an artist at heart, filled their home with his own paintings and sculptures—quiet reminders that art can be built as solidly as any beam or foundation.

That early inspiration led Jessie to study Communication Arts & Design at VCU, where she honed her skills in illustration and learned to capture emotion through detail. Today, she and her husband—a potter and her high-school sweetheart—call Lake Anna home. Their life together overflows with art, laughter, two amazing children, and a household of beloved animals who often sneak their way into Jessie’s work.

From her cozy basement studio overlooking the lake, Jessie brings to life Rocco & Ruby—a comic that blends her signature warmth, humor, and knack for storytelling through expressive eyes and heartfelt detail. Whether she’s sketching her playful canine duo or creating heirloom-quality portraits in chalk pastel, Jessie’s work radiates compassion and connection.

Each line, each color, and each expression she draws is intentional—crafted to help viewers feel the same magic she sees in every subject.

Jessie accepts commissions and welcomes inquiries by email or text. Her portraits are deeply personal works of art—labors of love that take 15–20 hours to complete and are destined to become treasured family heirlooms.

See Rocco & Ruby Here or go to https://www.jessiejamesdraws.com/

Jen Bailey

Hi! I’m Jennifer Bailey and I partner with entrepreneurs who have massive ideas that could change the world. Most marketing is meaningless. Filled with empty promises, its only job is to bring in new traffic, new leads, and new customers. But I’ve drawn a line in the sand, and I’ve learned that marketing can do so much more than reach business goals and build profit. My methods give businesses the fire and soul they need to reach the right people, set the groundwork for sustainable relationships, and offer true value to the people on both the giving and receiving ends of marketing.

Read more about me here