Jessie Licata’s Journey on Turning Life’s Challenges into Marvelous Art

Jessie Licata, also known as LicataBEAN, is a wife, a mom of three, and a co-founder of Equals Human. She has been painting for over 25 years, making her creative process a daily practice. After a decade as a builder in New York City, she now dedicates herself full-time to art. In this interview, Jessie shares how her chaotic past and experiences have shaped her art, her journey of self-discovery, and how she balances motherhood with her passion for creating. Her story is one of resilience, transformation, and the healing power of art.

Jessie Licata, aka licataBEAN, is a wife, a mom of 3, one of the co-founders of Equals Humans, and always creative. She has been painting for about 25 years, and it has always been a meditation, a therapy, and a resting place for her. However, now she is creating her daily way of living. she was a builder in NYC for ten years + loved seeing the 1st + last picture of every job- to show you that at one point, we had nothing, just dirt or a dilapidated building, a sheet of asphalt, nothing- and then… You suddenly realize you changed the NYC skyline in a way that it can never change back- that is what art + life is to her. digging in, making lasting change for herself + all those around her by living, allowing, and growing. Over the past four years, she has dove so deep into herself, her art, + all the things, places, + people that make her + this marvellous world tick. She’s been blessed with the ability to create 24/7 while showing the world what art truly means to her + what it can do to change the world + how we live + treat ourselves and all other humans.

1. Jessica, your art is very personal and expressive. How has your chaotic past influenced your creative journey and the art you make now?

My chaotic past IS me, I do not live there, but I do honor + respect all that IS me, and the past is one of the most important parts of ME! I can’t live fully in my truth without all parts of me. Therefore, I can’t create fully in my truth if I do not honor all parts of the chaos that ensues. each adversity, each struggle, each time I fell, I got back up, and when I did, I grew that much more; I opened my heart even more and let the light in, and boy, when I did, I let out the most wretched screams + movements of throwing paint on to that beautiful blank canvas. I inhaled love + exhaled pain onto that canvas, and what came was something that couldn’t be possible without the chaos from the past.

My highest self, my amazing, my not so amazing, all that makes me me. The deep dark night of the soul, the twists and turns, the dark before the sun rises. The beauty right after that realization that were all fighting for one thing, our truth, what we believe to hold us together, what we believe makes us who we are.

Jessie Licata

2. You say your art shows your truth, fears, and insecurities. How do you find the strength to be so open in your work, and what do you hope people feel when they see it?

Strength is something I’ve been given through all my fears, insecurities, and truth. It lives in me, all around me, and carries me through my toughest of days. It is something I was born with—can’t stop, won’t stop energy, no matter what it looks like! I hope people feel what they need to, what’s aching inside them to be free, seen, alive, and all the glorious parts of you.

3. As a co-founder of the Equals Human Movement and involved in Owaken Breathwork, how do these roles affect your art and the messages you want to share?

What a great question! As far as #eqh, we are a community, we are a tribe of creatives, we are love, truth, respect, honor, and goddesses, and we are a place where changing collaborations happen and fill the collective’s hearts! #eqh is a headquarters for creating- you can not help BUT create when within the #eqhworld! As far as awakening- this has changed my life, creativity, drive, purpose, and knowing- therefore, it can’t help but alter my creativity in the most brilliant ways!

4. Being a mom and a full-time creative must be challenging. How do you juggle your art with motherhood, and how does being a mother influence your work?

Yup, you’re right; it is one of the most beautifully challenging things I’ve ever had to do, and every day I get to do it is a day I am living a life beyond my wildest dreams!!! It’s a juggle, but I manage with a tribe of humans always willing to be there for me, my kids, + my man. really does take a village and a village I gratefully have behind me- every damn day.

My art is the beauty that comes crawling out of the darkness to my true purpose, which is just simply me….when i allow it to be.

Jessie Licata

5.  You mention expressing things on canvas that words can’t capture. Can you tell us about a piece that shows this idea and what it means to you?

This painting has changed names multiple times and is from a series THIS IS ALL I AM. This painting was the last in a series I created, all based on the years of sexual abuse I endured as a child + as a teenager, + the relationship I had with this individual. I couldn’t speak on the word, I couldn’t talk about the who, I couldn’t put names and paces to anything, I grieved, cried, struggled, died a little in silence every day- for decades- when the floodgates opened up on that canvas I found myself throwing paint, screaming, crying and reliving the experience as if I was able to grieve from it… and I did. I felt some of that pain leave me that day, never to come back. That is what ART does to, for + with me.

Jessie Licata’s art is a testament to her strength and resilience. Through her paintings, she shares her journey and invites us to explore our emotions. As a mother, co-founder of Equals Human, and dedicated artist, Jessie inspires those around her. Her story shows us how art can heal and connect us all. To learn more about Jessie, click the following links to visit her profile.