Discovery Jaci Kessler

Age: 20. Hometown: Boston, but when I was 13, we moved to the suburbs of -Philadelphia. Currently resides: Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. It’s a very mixed group. Down the street are Brooklyn moms going to craft fairs with their kids, and up the street are halfway houses. Someone recently got hit over the head with a two-by-four. Occupation: Artist and a student at Pratt. I’m one of the art directors of The Prattler, our monthly magazine, and next year I’m going to be the graphic designer. Also, I just had a freelance job for a magazine called ERRORE zine. Artistic focus: First I wanted to design video games. Later I got into illustration. And now I’ve started combining the two through graphic design. Eventually I’d like to be my own design company—design posters and CD covers and shirts, while staying away from corporate art as much as possible. Favorite fictional character: Humbert Humbert from Lolita. He’s creepy, but I have a soft spot for him. Favorite nonfictional character: Tom Waits. For his voice, number one, and because I’ve watched a lot of talk shows he’s been on. He comes out drunk, smoking cigarettes. He doesn’t take shit from people. Best extracurricular activity: I worked at an animal shelter, and one of my jobs was to massage giant tortoises. There was this one that had really long nails, and I would give it leg massages in hot water. Bad habit: Cutting my hair. Since I got a Mohawk, it’s been really difficult to grow out. I can’t imagine how I’m ever gonna fix it, so I just keep cutting.

Photo above: Jaci Kessler in New York, April 2009. Jacket and top: D&G. Earrings: Artist’s own. Hair products: TRESemmé, including Tres Create Flexible Hold Putty. Fragrance: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. | Styling: Vanessa Chow/Creative Exchange Agency. Hair: Marco Santini for TRESemmé/Community NYC. Makeup: Manami Ishikawa/Michele Filomeno. Special thanks: Fast Ashleys.