Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Washington.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I remember when ‘Sailor Moon’ first aired when I was just a kid in the mid-’90s and I was infatuated with the graphics and overall character style of the anime. I was so in love with it that I wanted to recreate it on paper and draw the scenes I had watched. This show brought about my love for anime, the art style, and why I like to draw the things that I draw. In my teenage years, for whatever reason, I had an obsession with style (even though I didn’t have style) and started sketching out clothes and shoes that I would love to design in real life. As I got older and more serious in high school, I strayed away from the idea of being a clothing designer because I didn’t even know how to sew, I only knew how to draw. So, I thought of a more realistic job that I could use my creative skills with and that came out to be a graphic designer. Currently, at the moment, I have three jobs: Graphic Designer at an architectural and decorative glass company, Graphic Designer for Distinction Gallery, and shoe salesperson for a retail store. Luckily, I have the opportunity to have my current art pieces hung at the gallery I work at and was able to participate in a few shows from late 2017 – late 2018. If you would like to know more of a personal background, you can view it on my Wix website link below.
Please tell us about your art.
To be really honest, I am very, very self-conscious about my artwork. Sometimes I don’t even know how to feel about it. I mean, I know it isn’t terrible, but I also know it is not close to the best. I tend to be a perfectionist, and that really takes a toll on when I am creating my art because I am also a procrastinator. Those two traits definitely don’t work well together when there is a deadline on an art project, but somehow I still manage to finish my art projects on time. I definitely do feel proud of my work as a designer and an artist, but I think more so at the fact that I actually finished an art project and can look back and reflect on my work.
Currently, at the moment, I am working on a commissioned piece for a friend that has Pickle Rick (from cartoon Rick & Morty) on top of a Chevy truck holding a Chevy flag. I also just finished up a ‘Rock Lee’ sketch (from the anime Naruto). I tend to draw more anime fanart than anything, and I try my best to draw it as similar as I can. I don’t think I really have a style, but then I guess I do. I tend to create exactly what I see, but I am going to try my best this year to draw different things/styles that relate to me. I think I have a style and it peeks its head through in some of my drawings. For example, I had a breakup last year, so I started sketching out a new piece to reflect that situation now that I am out of it. The sketch is of two hands holding a Phoenix, totally out of my comfort zone as far as style, but then when I look at the sketch, I see a (my) style to it. I am hoping to finish that in this lifetime (plays off of my previous mention of my hardcore procrastination skills).
If I had to say what style I have, it would be for sure anime/manga/cartoon influenced. I just love the fact that in these cartoons and anime, the human body is exaggerated and when you draw it out, you don’t have to be entirely exact with proportions like how you would have to be if I were to be drawing a portrait of someone’s pet or child. If you are off with placement with the eyes and nose or basically anything when it comes to drawing a portrait, it starts to look ‘like’ them, but not ‘exactly’ like them, if that makes sense.
My mediums right now are Tombow Dual Brush Pens for coloring and Sakura Micron Pens and Faber-Castell PITT artist pens for outlining. I like the watercolor effect I get with my brush pens, but I also have some Copic markers I want to learn how to use to really make my artwork stand out and be more pigmented. I also want to use Prismacolor pencils again ( I used to use these heavily in high school). I usually use Strathmore Mixed Media Paper for my brush pens.
The stuff I have drawn up to this point has mostly been for art shows I have participated in, so I feel like that was the purpose for drawing them. ‘My inspiration’ I guess would actually be ‘my motivation’ behind why I draw now, and that is because I don’t want to lose this gift to be able to recreate or express through my drawings. I feel like digital art is obviously becoming more popular as technology advances, but I feel like nothing can take away the physical feeling and sense of accomplishment I have when I put my pencil on paper and create in the traditional way. What I draw is a reflection of things I like, I don’t really draw things out of my comfort zone, even if I get offered payment to do it. Like, last year there were themed art shows that I didn’t participate in because I didn’t like the theme (i.e., Game of Thrones-themed – Never watched the show, so not interested in creating artwork for that show). When I do draw for these themed shows, I definitely focus on a scene or character that I like and that I feel fits the show and sometimes when people look at it, they might have a different view on it, but that’s their entitled perception. I create what I want, for who I want, when I want and if you like it, thank you, I appreciate it, and if you don’t, okay that’s cool too. I can’t please everyone, but that’s not why I create art. I definitely draw for myself, as a hobby, and because it’s something I enjoy doing. With that being said, I am very grateful and thankful for the people who like my work and especially to the people that buy it. Like, OMG, you’re buying my art (insert crying emoji and praying hands). I have only sold a few pieces, but I would be equally grateful to have only sold one piece or to have someone come up to me in person and tell me they appreciate my artwork. I don’t think there is much to take away from my art. I’m just a girl who likes 90’s cartoons and anime and likes to recreate it on paper for fun and to maintain my skill.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Firstly, I do and don’t consider myself as an artist. I say that because when I think of an artist in this context, I think of a person who creates art and makes a living off of doing it full/part-time. I feel like that can be lonely because it’s mostly a one person job and you’re having a constant battle with yourself and the art you produce and trying to appeal to a small demographic of people who actually appreciate your artwork and enough so to buy it. Most people have a standard 9-5 job, but artists who make a living off of it, I feel, have their own custom schedule, and I think that can make it hard for artists to create/maintain friendships/clientele. It might be the exact opposite who knows. I have friends that are artists, but they also have their own set of friends and most of the time, it tends to be other fellow artists, so it doesn’t seem too lonely. Then I do have friends that create artwork and are expressive about how they are depressed or feel lonely and keep to themselves. They shouldn’t feel lonely though. I am sure there is a plethora of people who would love to be their friend and also admire/buy their work.
My advice to those who are looking to connect with other artists would to be to make a Facebook and Instagram page and search/explore artists who have styles that you like or that have artwork that can influence you. Look through the comments of those posts and see the people that are leaving feedback and chat with them and maybe you’ll find out that you have a lot in common with this stranger that could possibly turn into a friendship or learning experience. Another way would be to physically go out into your community and participate in art shows and if you don’t want to participate, then to at least attend those to get a sense of the people and how the shows are usually ran.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am hoping to participate in more art shows this year. I am on the lookout for anything related to the type of things I draw (so if anyone reading this has a recommendation, please forward it to me). But I would like to do more commissioned pieces and just personally develop as an artist, traditionally and digitally.
You can see most of my art on my Instagram account (it’s a personal and an artist account, not sure if I want to separate the two but maybe I will, but I can’t think of a handle name or find the time to even think about this).
My Instagram name is @koreankutie91 (this is the first name I could think of when I made this account long ago, so cut me some slack, I really should change it too).
You can also see some of my artwork in person at Distinction Gallery in Escondido, CA, in room number 2.
People can support my art by liking/leaving comments on my artwork posts, sending me ideas/feedback through DM’s, and (obviously) purchasing my artwork/requesting commissions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jessicawashington.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Email: j_washington864@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koreankutie91/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.dickerson.77
Image Credit:
Jessica Washington
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