#jessicatclee

The first time I became drawn to the idea of creating art for the entertainment industry was when I saw Feng Zhu's Youtube tutorials. I didn't realize there was such a field before.

I later discovered Sparth's work, and was blown away by the beautiful images, and came to realize how much I love environment and storytelling.

I had the chance to create images with architecture and interior as the subject, and I realized how much I loved them. My experience on construction sites when I was little, because my dad was a civil-engineer, helped a lot.

After I started to put my hands on mechanical design as a subject, I also realized that I actually loved mechanical stuff too. Again, my childhood memory contributes to that.

But before all that, it was when I saw my dad play Starcraft, that my journey of becoming a professional artist began. Only I didn't know back then. Many other games after that helped shape my aesthetics in one way or another.

The same thing happened again right after Starcraft when I saw my dad watch The Matrix, and then I watched Neo Evangelion with my cousins. Then I watched The Fifth Element and Solaris. I was blown away by how images and designs (with many other movie elements such as spacing and editing) could tell so much story and create such a strong impact.

Alongside movies, animes and games, I was fortunate enough to have had great friends who shared with me their love toward illustration. I have been very fortunate that my friends love the same illustrations, animes and games I love, so my passion can continue being nurtured. 

And, I love fine art too. I find the beautiful lighting, colors, compositions and values rejuvenating. To me, it is one of the origins where all the above beauty comes from. It was and still is, and I believe it will keep being so.

Last but not least, my love towards books. I love novels and philosophy. The older I grow, the more I feel the ability to think abstractly helps me greatly as an artist. I can see from a more overall, or bird’s-eye- view perspective; analyze and feel my subjects better. Here is just a small collection I happened to have with me at this moment.

Over the next few weeks Jessica will be guest posting here and taking over our Instagram as the New Visions Featured Artist. Read her interview below and make sure to visit her website! 

Cear Tintagel

When and how did you decide to become an illustrator?

It was more the case of when I decided to become an artist. The idea came up when I was deciding which major to enroll when I was applying for college. However, not until I really started studying different types of art, did I become sure about the path of being an artist. There are many aspects about art and design that I love, such as story-telling, composition, light and shadow, structure and shape, communicating with and creating impact on audience, providing a new vision and an inspiring experience, problem-solving to achieve a beautiful yet comprehensive design, and the list goes on. There are many ways of fulfilling them, and illustration is one of the ways which I enjoy very much.

Who are the biggest inspirations for your career?

In terms of artistic inspirations, although I no longer follow their styles, Feng Zhu’s and Scott Robertson’s design logic opened the initial door for me. 

Other artists that inspire me include John Wallin Liberto, Fausto De Martini, George Hull, Sparth (Nicolas Bouvier). Ruan Jia, Donato Giancola, Kekai Kotaki, and Karla Ortiz are some artists I really admire. When I am doing more animation style, Dice Tsutsumi is my go-to inspiration.

I also really appreciate what I have learned from my instructors in my grad school, including Steven Player, Brandon Luyen, Joko Budiono, Zhaoming Wu, Zin Lim, Craig Nelson and Gilbert Banducci for both artistic and work ethic inspirations.

Tree of Life

Name one non-illustration inspiration in your career.

It is difficult to name just one, but if I can only name one, I would say it’s the world. I love walking on the streets and visiting different places. My aesthetics is best nurtured by the designs in our civilization and the nature, such as the architectures, the interior designs, the fashion, the tools, the machines, the vehicles, the lights in different times of a day, in different seasons, and the list goes on. 

If I can name one more, it would be my parents, who have great work ethic and are supportive and open-minded to their a little unconventional girl.

I really need to name one more, which is my experiences combined with my relationships with people so far. I feel that to be a good artist, one needs to be able to empathize very well and deeply.

The Critical Moment

What is the best advice you have been given as an artist?

“Artist should lead, not just follow” is one of the greatest advice I’ve gotten so far. It was given by John Picacio. He explained that it doesn’t mean that artists can do whatever, but instead, we should strive to provide visions which are better than what our clients/supervisors expect while fulfilling the requests.

What is your creative habit? What do you have to do to get into your creative zone?

In order to be creative yet fulfilling the clients’ requests, I like to browse through the references which I gathered for the particular task. If there is not a board of references yet, I look up on the internet or look into books to get references. Even if it is for personal projects, reference gathering is always the best way for me to warm up.

What music and books inspire you to create?

I love many types of musics, but most time, motivational songs or indie musics can help me see visions more easily and clearly, while pop rocks help me calm down and concentrate on a piece that’s already been started.

I also love all sorts of art books, fine art, art books of movies, video games, animations, architectures, cultures, even travel books with beautiful photography, and of course photography collections.

Enchanted 

As it relates to illustration what advice have you never forgotten?

All the unforgettable advice I have gotten so far is for being artist in general. If it has to be specifically for illustration, it must be something technical. I would say any advice about lighting, composition, and story-telling elements.

Do you see illustration as a group of individuals or a community?

I can’t really say one or the other, since, to me, a community is a group of individuals, and we share information and ideas with each other, grow with each other, communicate with each other, challenge and inspire each other. I also can’t see a community long lasting without individuality. Individuality gives a person a sense of self-worth, and only when we feel ourselves worthwhile at a right degree, we like to share and encourage others and grow with others.

What sort of things keep you involved in the world of illustration?

Envisioning an alternative reality, or future, or another world, and beautiful and impacting images. It could be in this time and space, or in other time and space. I love both beautiful, dramatic and emotional visuals and the feeling of infinite possibility.

What is your dream project?

I am doing my dream projects now in one way or another. I love illustrating/designing for projects related to future cities, or possible alien occupation in an ancient time, or alien civilization, imaginary worlds, or space colony, or alternative present or past, or experimental design styles. Nevertheless, if I can work with NASA or VR/AR development, it would be super cool.

Lake Plaza

If you could time travel what year would you go to?

Ten thousand years from now. I really want to see if humans are still there and how we are doing, and if we find some fellows from other parts of the universe.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

When I have ah-ha moments with a new technique/method, and when I have ah-ha moments for good ideas which I emotionally relate to a lot. Also, When I see the face of my audience, be it my clients, my supervisors, a by-passer, a fan, lights up, or when I read their excited or touched responses. I know that my heart and effort and ideas in the piece are being received in one way or another, and have created an impact on them.

What’s the most terrifying part of your job?

It is a little scary that when sometimes there doesn’t seem to have enough time for a task. Fortunately, if I was able to maintain good work ethic, health and time management, I usually could fulfill the request.

Love the Internet or hate the Internet?

Absolutely love the Internet. A lot of my researching work depends on the Internet, either as direct references or as a validity check.