Meet Jessica
Hi, I'm Jessica R. MacKenzie—the artist and founder behind Electric Spectrum Studios.
I'm a fine artist, photographer, architectural visualization specialist, and Professor of Practice in Interior Design at Northern Arizona University. For more than two decades, I've helped people transform ideas into compelling visual experiences through art, design, and technology.
My greatest inspiration comes from the natural world. Wildlife has taught me to slow down, observe the smallest details, and appreciate the extraordinary beauty often hidden in everyday moments. Whether I'm photographing a great blue heron at sunrise, drawing the intricate scales of a pangolin, or capturing the personality of a cherished family pet, every piece I create is rooted in a deep appreciation for the beauty and wonder of life.
Photography is another way I connect with the world around me. From the quiet beauty of wildlife and the ever-changing landscapes to the unique personalities of beloved pets and the genuine expressions found in people, I strive to create photographs that are both authentic and timeless. My approach is rooted in patience, observation, and natural storytelling—capturing meaningful moments as they unfold rather than forcing them. Whether documenting nature, celebrating the bond between people and their animals, or creating portraits that reflect an individual's character, my goal is always to preserve moments that can be treasured for years to come.
I also believe technology can be a powerful creative tool. Through architectural visualization, I help homeowners, interior designers, architects, and builders transform ideas into realistic images long before construction begins. Seeing a future space before it's built allows clients to make informed decisions, communicate their vision with confidence, and move forward with excitement.
When I'm not creating artwork, you'll often find me exploring Arizona with my camera, teaching future designers, or discovering new ways to combine creativity, technology, and storytelling.
Why Electric Spectrum Studios?
People often ask where the name Electric Spectrum Studios came from. The answer begins with a movie.
One of my greatest inspirations is The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, the remarkable story of an artist whose love for animals—and especially cats—changed the way he saw the world. One line from the film has stayed with me ever since I first heard it:
"Just remember, however hard things get, however much you feel like you’re struggling, the world is full of beauty. And it's up to you to capture it. To look, and to share it with as many people as you can. You are a prism through which that beam of life refracts."
That quote perfectly describes how I see the world.
I believe God has filled creation with extraordinary beauty. Sometimes it's loud and breathtaking. Other times it's hidden in the smallest details—a feather catching the morning light, the curious expression of a beloved pet, the details of a tiny spider sitting on a sunlit iris.
My hope is simply to help people slow down long enough to notice it.
To appreciate it.
To celebrate it.
And ultimately, to share it.
Why "Electric"?
To me, electricity represents awakening, wonder, energy, and the invisible forces that connect life.
Electricity is a current - ever flowing.
It's the excitement of a new idea, the energy of creativity, and that moment when inspiration suddenly comes alive. Electricity moves. It illuminates. It enlightens. It transforms. It has the power to ignite something extraordinary.
Electricity changed the world!
I want to feel the electricity of life!
Why "Spectrum"?
A spectrum is a continuous range of different but related things.
I've never wanted to limit myself to a single medium or define creativity by one label. I love colored pencil, photography, architectural visualization, design, technology, writing, teaching, and discovering new ways to create. Every experience adds another color to the spectrum.
My vision is to build a creative studio where imagination has no boundaries and where I'm free to continue learning, growing, and exploring wherever creativity leads next.
Why a Lion?
The lion has always represented something deeply personal to me.
It isn't just a symbol of strength—it represents courage, authenticity, leadership, protection, and the confidence to become who God created us to be. It reminds me to trust my instincts, embrace creativity, and never be afraid to let my voice be heard.
The colorful spectrum flowing through the lion reflects the many creative paths that make up my journey. The electric energy represents the spark that begins every creative endeavor. Together, they remind me that creativity isn't meant to stand still—it's alive, constantly evolving, and always moving forward.
My Vision
Electric Spectrum Studios is about more than creating beautiful artwork.
It's about helping people see the world differently.
Whether through a custom pet portrait, wildlife artwork, photography, or architectural visualization, my goal is to create work that inspires curiosity, preserves meaningful memories, and celebrates the incredible beauty that surrounds us every day.
If my work encourages someone to pause for just a moment, notice something they hadn't seen before, or appreciate God's creation a little more deeply, then I know I've accomplished exactly what I set out to do.
After all...
The world is already full of beauty.
I'm simply grateful to share the way I see it.
Have Additional Questions?
Feel free to contact me and ask anything you like!