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Jesse Baggs
@jessebaggs.bsky.social
49 followers 97 following 170 posts
Hardpressed by reality. https://jessebaggs.com
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I wouldn’t say I’m good at throwing yet but I turned a corner recently and started throwing larger pieces. While small, this one was well centered, but I accidentally sped up the wheel when I was taking it off and dented it. Rather than throw it away, I decided to make dents the whole aesthetic!
“Piña de Pino” by Jesse Baggs. Glazed ceramic, 3.5” wide by 2.5” tall. Four photos of the same small ceramic vase. The first photo shows the vase from the side; it is glazed brown with a series of indentations in which the glaze pooled and darkened to a near black. The second photo shows the vase from above; the neck of the vase is slightly asymmetrical and a dent can be seen in the body below. The third photo shows the vase from the side again but also slightly above. In a few indentations the glaze did not adhere, exposing circles of white clay beneath. The last photo shows the vase from the bottom. Carved into the white clay body are the words, “Baggs” and “Feb 26”.
February 6, 2026 at 5:53 AM
jessebaggs.bsky.social
Here are sketchbook drawings of a crew team and Buffalo Springfield. I’m not very familiar with the band, but from left to right I believe that’s Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Dewey Martin, Richie Furay, and Bruce Palmer.
Sketchbook page containing two ink drawings. Across the top is a row of eight young white men. They hold long poles and wear short shorts and shirts printed with the word “crew.” Below them and to the left is another young white man in a crew uniform who looks as if he should have been with the rest but the artist ran out of room. On the bottom right is a group of young white men with longish hair and clothes associated with the fashion of the 1960s. Below them is written the words, “Buffalo Springfield.”
January 30, 2026 at 3:42 AM
jessebaggs.bsky.social
Here’s a digital painting of Wolverine using the title of his 1990 graphic novel, Bloodlust. Marvel can release a book with the word “lust” in the title, but only if the object of that lust is violence!
Digital painting of Wolverine in his yellow and blue costume, snarling and crouching with his claws extended toward the viewer, eyes spirals of red and black. Vertical, shiny red letters to the left of the image read, “blood;” letters in the same style to the right read, “lust.” Framing Wolverine against the background, which is made up of blood-red splatter, is a large, serifed, uppercase “X”.
January 22, 2026 at 3:39 AM
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January 16, 2026 at 4:13 AM
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Trump bullying María Corina Machado into giving him her Nobel Prize is the most Orwellian shit I’ve lived to experience, and I lived through the Bush administration.
Digital painting of an anthropomorphic elephant walking down a city street that has been ruined by war or some other disaster. The skyscrapers in the background have collapsed, steel girders poking out of concrete frames. The sidewalks are cracked and littered with rubble, the street full of holes. Smoke and ash drift in front of an orange-glowing sky. In contrast, the elephant wears a spotless blue top hat and suit, white shirt and gloves. The brown band of his hat matches the color of his tie, shoes, and cane, which is topped with a sand-colored stone. The elephant grins and winks at the viewer, gesturing proudly at the destruction behind him. A pink, rat-like tail emerges from under the back of his suit jacket. At the top of the image in dark brown text are the words, “Nobel Prize.”
January 16, 2026 at 4:02 AM
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If the shooting of two Spanish-speakers by federal agents in Portland turns out to be justified, I will apologize for this post, but I won’t take it down; the Trump administration fucked up in Portland, too. Unfortunately, it seems more likely that the Portland shooting will be forgotten.
Digital painting of an anthropomorphic elephant walking down a city street that has been ruined by war or some other disaster. The skyscrapers in the background have collapsed, steel girders poking out of concrete frames. The sidewalks are cracked and littered with rubble, the street full of holes. Smoke and ash drift in front of an orange-glowing sky. In contrast, the elephant wears a spotless blue top hat and suit, white shirt and gloves. The brown band of his hat matches the color of his tie, shoes, and cane, which is topped with a sand-colored stone. The elephant grins and winks at the viewer, gesturing proudly at the destruction behind him. A pink, rat-like tail emerges from under the back of his suit jacket. At the top of the image in dark brown text is the word, “Portland.”
January 10, 2026 at 4:04 AM
jessebaggs.bsky.social
Fuck ICE.
Digital painting of an anthropomorphic elephant walking down a city street that has been ruined by war or some other disaster. The skyscrapers in the background have collapsed, steel girders poking out of concrete frames. The sidewalks are cracked and littered with rubble, the street full of holes. Smoke and ash drift in front of an orange-glowing sky. In contrast, the elephant wears a spotless blue top hat and suit, white shirt and gloves. The brown band of his hat matches the color of his tie, shoes, and cane, which is topped with a sand-colored stone. The elephant grins and winks at the viewer, gesturing proudly at the destruction behind him. A pink, rat-like tail emerges from under the back of his suit jacket. At the top of the image in dark brown text is the word, “Minneapolis.”
January 8, 2026 at 3:51 AM
jessebaggs.bsky.social
I’m really pleased with this one. “You Know I’m Gettin’ Silly.” Oil pastel on colored paper; 9” x 12”. I have an idea for the background but I may just leave it as is.
Oil-pastel drawing of a mustachioed gentleman man in a purple suit taking a large step forward, one leg bent and elevated as if to execute a dance kick. The man supports himself with a cane held in his right hand while doffing a purple hat with his left. The hat has a light-blue band that matches his tie and socks; he also wears a brown belt that matches the color of his shoes, while the white of his hair, which grows from tufts above his ears but not the top of his head, matches his shirt and gloves. The man has green skin and bright brown eyes.
January 8, 2026 at 2:17 AM
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Lil homie having a naked dream. “Dreaming in Public.” Colored marker on paper; 9” x 12”.
Colored-marker drawing of a naked little cartoon man standing on an asteroid in space, à la Saint-Exupéry’s “Little Prince.” However, this cartoon man has a large purple nose like a gherken, a spiky tuft of orange hair growing out of his pointed head, a star over one eye, and no genitalia.
January 7, 2026 at 4:34 AM
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In light of last night’s events, I updated my digital painting, “Show Them What They Won.” #venezuela
“Show Them What They Won [Venezuela Update]” by Jesse Baggs; Adobe Fresco. Digital painting of an anthropomorphic elephant walking down a city street that has been ruined by war or some other disaster. The skyscrapers in the background have collapsed, steel girders poking out of concrete frames. The sidewalks are cracked and littered with rubble, the street full of holes. Smoke and ash drift in front of an orange-glowing sky. In contrast, the elephant wears a spotless blue top hat and suit, white shirt and gloves. The brown band of his hat matches the color of his tie, shoes, and cane, which is topped with a sand-colored stone. The elephant grins and winks at the viewer, gesturing proudly at the destruction behind him. A pink, rat-like tail emerges from under the back of his suit jacket. At the top of the image in dark brown text is the word, “Venezuela.”
January 4, 2026 at 3:35 AM
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It’s also fun to post my least liked pieces of the year, or my Instagram Bottom Nine, because there’s no accounting for taste! Follow me on Instagram using the link in the reply or by searching for hardpressedjess.
Grid of nine art and ceramic excerpts by Jesse Baggs under the text, “Bottom Nine 2025.”
January 1, 2026 at 1:04 AM
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I haven’t posted in a while but I’m back to share my Top Nine Instagram posts of 2025! This year’s list includes digital illustrations, pen-and-ink drawings, and, for the first time ever, ceramic pieces! You can follow me on Instagram using the link in the reply or by searching for hardpressedjess.
Grid of nine art and ceramic excerpts by Jesse Baggs under the text, “Top Nine 2025.”
December 31, 2025 at 5:12 AM
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“The Geezer.” Oil pastel on colored paper; 9” x 12”. I think I leveled up a bit with oil pastels on this one. I’ve been reading a couple of books on technique but I wasn’t able to implement them here; the big change was just using pastel paper! I don’t know what took me so long.
Oil-pastel painting of a bald, oversized man smiling at the viewer and rubbing his hands together. The man smokes a cigarette and has nicotine-stained teeth and fingernails. He wears a tan overcoat and blue tie.
November 27, 2025 at 5:16 AM
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This one’s a little rough but I still like it. I’ll post something more finished tomorrow.
“Gripple” by Jesse Baggs. Colored marker on paper; 9” x 12”. Colored-marker drawing of a crudely-drawn witch standing in a pond. The witch’s skin is green and her hair a spiky blue that matches her dress. She wears a peaked cap and a necklace of purple gems and holds her arms out at her sides with more than five fingers on each hand. She has large yellow eyes and smiles broadly.
November 26, 2025 at 4:58 AM
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“What I Saw Outside (Nucleus)."
Digital painting of fractals at the center of a kaleidoscope pattern forming a six-pointed star and a red-lined floral shape. The fractals are colored red, purple, light green, and light blue.
November 12, 2025 at 4:14 AM
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“What I Saw Outside (Crown of Ruby).”
Digital painting of fractals extending in a kaleidoscope pattern from a six-pointed crystal star overlaid by a complicated, red-lined floral shape. The fractals are colored red, purple, light green, and light blue.
November 12, 2025 at 4:13 AM
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Playing around with the symmetry feature in Adobe Fresco. “What I Saw Outside (Crown of Crystal).”
Digital painting of fractals extending in a kaleidoscope pattern from a six-pointed crystal star. The fractals are colored red, purple, light green, and light blue.
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 AM
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Here’s part of a card I made recently. “Piggy Baggs.” India ink on Bristol Board; 6” x 5.75”.
Ink-drawn cartoon of a middle-aged father kneeling down with a hammer to break his children’s piggy bank, which recoils in horror. However, the father’s hand is stopped by the sight of his two children standing behind him, looking on disapprovingly.
November 6, 2025 at 4:17 AM
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… where Shelley Winters pours her drink on Reed’s head after Reed makes sexist remarks.
Ink drawing of Oliver Reed from a 1975 “Tonight Show” interview.
October 9, 2025 at 4:44 AM
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I then added drawings of Johnny Carson and Oliver Reed from their Tonight Show interview …
Ink drawing of Johnny Carson from a 1975 “Tonight Show” interview.
October 9, 2025 at 4:43 AM
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Here’s another random collection of drawings from my sketchbook. I started with a sketch of Lisa Lisa from the cover to the Cult Jam single “Head to Toe.” I was probably hoping it would turn into something big and beautiful but things didn’t break that way.
India ink on paper; 9” x 12”. Ink drawing of Lisa Veldez from the cover of the “Head to Toe” single by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. Behind her and at a 90-degree angle are ink drawings of Johnny Carson and Oliver Reed from their 1975 “Tonight Show” interview.
October 9, 2025 at 4:41 AM
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If you see this, post an Image Comics cover you love
October 6, 2025 at 12:02 AM
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New digital painting: “Show Them What They Won.” Adobe Fresco.
Digital painting of an anthropomorphic elephant walking down a city street that has been ruined by war or some other disaster. The skyscrapers in the background have collapsed, steel girders poking out of concrete frames. The sidewalks are cracked and littered with rubble, the street full of holes. Smoke and ash drift in front of an orange-glowing sky. In contrast, the elephant wears a spotless blue top hat and suit, white shirt and gloves. The brown band of his hat matches the color of his tie, shoes, and cane, which is topped with a sand-colored stone. The elephant grins and winks at the viewer, gesturing proudly at the destruction behind him. A pink, rat-like tail emerges from under the back of his suit jacket.
October 2, 2025 at 3:23 AM
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all their wonderful staff for having me and doing such a great job of making everything come off smoothly. Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of myself at the table this year, but I was able to get this screen shot from one of Kyrun’s videos. One of the best parts of CrockerCon is …
Photograph of a gray-haired, middle-aged man sitting at a table for CrockerCon 2025, a comic book convention at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California. The man wears a brown floral shirt and blue jeans and is writing something with a red pen. The table is covered with multiple art prints and stickers; in the background, various people can be seen walking through the convention.
September 26, 2025 at 2:32 AM
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Another CrockerCon is in the books! Having the event on a Sunday was fantastic and allowed for the show’s biggest attendance level yet: approximately 7,000 people! I was so pleased to be a part of things; big thanks to organizers Eben Burgoon, Kyrun Silva, the Crocker Art Museum and …
Photograph of a gray-haired, middle-aged man sitting at a table for CrockerCon 2025, a comic book convention at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California. The man wears a brown floral shirt and blue jeans and is writing something with a red pen. The table is covered with multiple art prints and stickers; a placard bearing the name “Jesse Baggs” emerges from the middle. In the background, various people can be seen walking through the convention.
September 26, 2025 at 2:31 AM