Jess Francis Petrie is a Toronto-based visual artist originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario-a remote northern city often described as surreal and atmospheric. Her work is bold, colourful, and emotionally charged, blending cartoon-like aesthetics with deeply personal themes of love, heartbreak, tenderness, and humour.
Entirely self-taught, Jess never set out to become an artist. Her creative path unfolded organically, and she remains in awe of where it has taken her. With a signature style that balances playfulness and vulnerability, her paintings invite viewers into intimate emotional spaces-spaces where care, softness, and sentimentality are not only welcome but celebrated.
Her work resonates widely for its honesty and warmth, and has gained recognition for its ability to make people feel seen, loved, or simply smile. Jess continues to explore the power of art as a form of connection, storytelling, and healing-while staying rooted in the joy and curiosity that first brought her to the canvas.
