Jessie Wender

Can you share three life moments that shaped who you are today?

1. Having my son two and a half years ago has changed me in so many ways. Watching him grow and learn all these new things is so amazing. And his enthusiasm for life is genuinely inspiring. It has changed my views on life and love, and reminds me of how amazing the world can be … even in the mundane.

2. Not exactly a moment, but growing up before phones and the internet profoundly shaped the way I interact with the world around me. As a kid, I loved reading the encyclopedia. That process of digging for information, not always getting an answer to my question, and the fact that information was organized alphabetically (rather than thematically) inspired a curiosity and shaped how I think, how I ask questions, and what excites me.

3. I grew up in Santa Fe, NM. The culture, creativity and outdoor environment absolutely shaped what I value, the artistic possibilities I saw in life and the joy of being outside the norm.

What is something you had to learn the hard way?

I’m often a “by the books” kind of person, so realizing there isn’t always a right and a wrong answer, was something that it took awhile for me to learn. At certain stages in my life, I did mediocre work, because I was afraid to believe in my creative vision. Trusting my own ideas and aesthetic, has been a process.

When was the last time you had a first-time experience? How did it go?

I’m sure there are other examples, but the first thing that comes to mind is the birth of my son. Giving birth was just an insane experience. The physicality of it. The emotional and mental aspects. It didn’t quite go the way I imagined, but I did it, and I’m amazed by what my mind and body can do when they are so locked in with each other.

Do you have a fav photo book?

Oh my god, I’m photo/art book obsessed. But, my favorite? I still love Jason Eskenazi’s Wonderland. Every image is incredible. The photographs show a range of emotions. Surreal and everyday scenes, it so beautifully and unpretentiously captures a time and a place. I’ve had this book since 2011, and it was published in 2008 – I still love looking at it regularly, and every time, I see something new.

What’s the most recent thing you saw that blew your mind?

Last month I went to Blossom and Bones, a music festival at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. Every time I see live music I feel so energized. There was tremendous rain, followed by a double rainbow. Seeing Kevin Morby and Santigold outdoors in such an epically beautiful place was awesome.

Describe one photo you have displayed somewhere in your home. What is it, who made it, and what do you like about it?

Daniel Gordon’s “Still Life with Apples and Echinacea” is displayed in our kitchen. I love Daniel’s work and process, it’s a beautiful blend that is at once sculptural, painterly and photographic.

What’s one piece of advice someone gave you that you’ve found to be true?

HAHA. I once had a therapist ask if I thought I was a mind reader. This has stuck with me over the past twenty years as a good reminder that I am in fact not a mind reader, and that it’s always good to ask questions. Remembering this has helped me in work and in life. Asking questions and not assuming has helped me have a deeper understanding of different perspectives and the world around me.

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