JESHAKA(pronounced Jes-Ha-Ka), aka Jes LaVecchia (she/her), is a mixed media artist, Reiki Master & Pittsburgh native living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In line with the idea that nothing should be taken seriously except for self-love, her body of work explores & celebrates the gift of the human experience through a whole lot of hotdogs.
Jes has been an artist since she could hold a crayon but didn’t begin her artistic career until graduating from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a Graphic Design degree in 2008. From there she let an amazing group of creative friends, internet culture and shows like Adventure Time influence & shape her style. In 2013, a dark, impish, triangle-head creature called “WUT” emerged in Jes’ artwork that helped express her difficulties grappling with her own humanity. As she traversed her healing journey over the years, eventually hotdogs took center stage to spread joy & help share the wisdom Jes gained along the way. In 2024, Jes received the lifetime title of Hotdog Ambassador by the National Hotdog & Sausage Council and revisited an old mixed media style that is prevalent in her artwork today.
Over the last 15 years, JESHAKA has shown her art in galleries, coffee shops & zine fests across the United States and worked with clients such as the American Lore Theatre, Urban Outfitters, Healthy Ride & Converse. Where she enjoys the creative process & is always working on a new piece, Jes doesn’t care about making money from her art. She finds the most value in watching the magickal ripple effect of love throughout her community that comes from sharing what’s she’s learned with cute, little hotdogs.
FAQ’s
What’s with the hot dogs? Hotdogs are the quintessential embodiment of what it means to be human, especially American: horrifying, delicious, sensual, hilarious, revolting and everything in-between. Hotdogs are as versatile and diverse as we are and can serve as a mirror to what we really are: just weird meat stuffs in a fleshy suit here to play with and be loved.
Why are they called WUT’s? Memes and they usually make you say or think to yourself “WTF?” when you see what they’re up to. They’re a life force all their own: Triangles represent manifestation, enlightenment, revelation, and a higher perspective. They are often used to mark the cycles of growth that lead to a higher state of being.
Have other inquiries? Please contact JESHAKA via the website submission form, email or DM on Instagram.
