About Jacqueline Halstead

I am a multidisciplinary artist working across painting, oil pastel and charcoal drawing, jewelry, and wearable design. My work is rooted in fashion, visual culture, and a deep appreciation for materials. From an early age, fashion magazines, photography, and design shaped how I see color, form, and style, and those influences continue to guide my practice today.

I draw inspiration from iconic models and visual references from the 1960s through the 1990s, as well as the bold aesthetic language of designers such as Yves Saint Laurent. These eras inform how I approach presence, movement, and storytelling in my work, both visually and conceptually.

Textiles are central to my paintings, and charcoal and oil pastel have become key materials in my drawing practice. Whether I am creating a painting, a piece of jewelry, or a scarf design, each work is part of a cohesive creative world. My artistic journey began over 30 years ago with jewelry, and that foundation continues to influence how I think about craftsmanship and form.

I studied under the mentorship of Joan Hunter and Claire Bouchard Buchanan, where I developed a strong understanding of materials, structure, and technique. Later, while studying metalsmithing in New York City, a visit to the Brooklyn Museum introduced me to painting in a way that expanded my creative direction and solidified my multidisciplinary approach. Viewers often recognize my Black roots within my paintings. In my jewelry and scarf designs, I explore fashion and style through the lens of womanhood. I embrace this connection and see my work as both personal and expansive, shaped by cultural identity while remaining open and globally resonant.

This website presents a selection of my work across mediums. I work with individuals and organizations, and my work is available for commissions, exhibitions, licensing, partnerships, and purchase.