Garden Bed ~ July 2026

Jessie Turner (b. San Diego, 1995) is a multidisciplinary artist based in San Francisco, California. She works mainly with textiles, ceramics, and collage. Her dedicated collage practice can be seen throughout her mediums from her filet crochet tapestries that contain carefully composed images, to her ceramics that have actual collaged images applied to their surfaces.

Plunge interview with Jessie ~ July 2026

What inspires you?

Spending time in nature is such a big part of my life and where I find the most clarity and inspiration. I’m so grateful to live in the Bay Area where there's plenty of lush greenery and access to swimming holes, hikes, and camping. Unfortunately, living in an apartment, we don't have access to a garden of our own, but I’m calling that in that for my future… In the meantime, walking through GGP does the trick.

Any art advice that drives you or that you would give to the younger you?

Make the space, literally and mentally. It can be challenging to feel inspired when you’re distracted all the time. Also, be okay with things not turning out great. Experimenting with different ideas is part of the fun and they don’t always come to fruition like you might have envisioned. It’s all just information and it’s best to not be discouraged or cut yourself off from that creative flow.

What was your earliest memory of creating something you were proud of?

When I was in first grade, my class was directed in an art project where we all drew clowns with pastels and mine was selected to be framed and shown as part of an art show for students in the school district. I’ll never forget it because it was the same day I lost my first tooth.

Describe your process a little.

Before starting a filet crochet tapestry, I typically start by deciding how large I want the piece to be. Since I’m essentially working in a grid format, the scale determines how much detail I’m able to include on a design. I plug the math into a reliable formula I’ve created specifically for the materials I use.Then I start playing around with filling out the chart with different motifs I have saved on a personal archive; some sourced from cross stitch books, pixel designs, filet crochet charts, and some that I created myself. Once the design is completed, I generate a written pattern based on the design. My favorite part of the process is the actual crocheting, which can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months. After blocking and dying the tapestry, the work is complete.

Favorite place to swim/use a towel?

Patterson Point Preserve, Guerneville for a dip. I love Kabuki Springs & good hot for a sweat.

Any recommendations/books/fun stuff you are into that we should know about?

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin & The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer- highly recommend these 2 books. I return to them many times a year

Otherworld- podcast I’m always listening to at the studio fully knowing that I’m going to get freaked out later thinking about it

Dakota Spotlight - plugging my uncle & dad's podcast ;)

Self Soothe with Margeaux on NTS - bangerss

Beach Bum - best summer movie

Real Housewives Rhode Island/Salt Lake City…