She was born in Leeds, England, but trained in painting under Felice Casorati and design under Mario Micheletti in Turin.
She is said to have moved to study music in Italy starting in 1906, joining her sister Geltrude who had married the prominent banker, Gaudenzio Sella.
[4] Riccardo Gualino, a rich industrialist, was also a patron of the arts, including Casorati, and later of the Gruppo dei Sei until his financial collapse starting in 1929.
In 1929–1931, she displayed her works along with a group dubbed the Gruppo dei Sei, including Gigi Chessa, Nicola Galante, Carlo Levi, Francesco Menzio, and Enrico Paulucci.
[5] The group shared post-impressionist and yet expressionist styles of painting; Jessie's subjects included landscapes, cityscapes, marine scenes, portraits, and still lifes.