Profile

Jesse Payne received his academic degrees from Indiana State University (BFA, 2001) and Northern Illinois University (MFA, 2003) with an emphasis in painting and drawing. In 2008 Payne completed a one month apprenticeship with the renowned Norwegian figurative painter Odd Nerdrum. Payne has received recognition for his work through exhibition awards and publications. Most recently his drawings based off of Leonardo da Vinci's Grotesque Heads were published in American Artist: Drawing edition, (Summer 2009) in an article entitled "Fleshing Out Leonardo's Grotesque Heads" by Bob Bahr.

Jesse currently lives in Savannah, GA and is a Professor of Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design. He teaches all levels of Drawing, Life Drawing, 2D Design and Color Theory. He has presented papers on the topics of design thinking, idea development and creativity, curriculum development and assessment at national and international art conferences.

Payne is also Vice President for Regional Coordinators for the organization FATE (Foundations in Art: Theory and Education). “FATE is a national organization dedicated to the promotion of excellence in the development and teaching of college-level foundation courses in both studio and art history.”