007: SketchyJess

SketchyJess is a Guamanian artist who in the day works as a creative director and graphic artist for a digital media advertising company. But at night, or whenever she’s free, Jess makes character designs and practices her fundamentals. She used to stream her process in making a sticker, character, or commission on Twitch during the Covid Era.

SketchyJess

She began working in design because she fell in love with the creative process, particularly the work behind the finished product: messy sketches, storyboards, concept dartboards, etc. Her process starts with choosing what to listen to, whether it be a podcast, playlist, or art course. Then, she flips through her various art books while scribbling away, trying to find something she’s satisfied with and can turn into a final product she can be proud of. Throughout all of this, she thinks back to DnD (Dungeons and Dragons), video games, comics, and cartoons, feeling inspired by their stories, visuals, and whatnot. She always tries to apply the lessons she’s learned so far into the art she makes as well as a hidden frog sticker. Whenever stuck or lacking in motivation or inspiration, Jess simply goes back to her basics, something she learned from a concept artist by the name of Marc Brunet. A great struggle for her is using her creativity and curiosity in her own work since her restrictions in the workplace translate somewhat to her very limited free time.

SketchyJess was affected not so much by her ethnicity but more by her experiences and environments. During college, she began looking for a job as a graphic artist and began as a freelancer at Guamzilla, later rebranded as Gumamon. This eventually became her full-time job and helped her approach art with business in mind. As she grew into this artist mindset, her skill also grew in a slightly different way: as she had emulated and followed anime in her youth, she followed artists in her dream jobs and works to continually improve. While her personal works have no particular audience, she does try her best to make commissions to her client’s exact specifications, minus the frog logo.

Jess looks at art as a tool “for self-discovery, self-expression, and story-telling.” And, she thinks of those who create art as all ambitious, dedicated individuals who work to spark joy and magic in the daily life of everyone and anyone. As a final note, he warns young artists that “[i]t’s not about WHEN you start, It is about HOW you start.”

To read her full interview, continue reading below. Check out SketchyJess’ Instagram as well.

SketchyJess

Describe what you do?

During the day, I am a creative director/graphic artist who works for a digital media ad company. I create product designs, signage, branding and more. This is more my professional approach with art. During my free time, I would like to spend my time creating character designs or practicing art fundamentals. I used to stream character designs, stickers, and commissions on twitch during covid quarantine, but not so much due to my job.

How would you define art?

I believe art is tool one can use for self discovery, self expression and story-telling

Why did you choose your art form?

I enjoy the creating process. As someone who indulges in a lot of animations, comics, and video games, my most favorite part in those forms of entertainment is the concepts, the messy sketches, all the behind the scenes work.

How has your ethnicity/race affected the type of art you make?

I don’t believe my ethnicity has made an effect on the art I make, but I do believe your experiences and your environment can make an impact on your view or relationship with art.

How did your high school/college years affect the work you make today?

I knew that I definitely wanted to pursue a career with my art during my first year at GCC. I decided to go with Visual Communications in hopes I learn something new that will help me improve my portfolio. Whilst attending college, I was already looking for jobs that offer a graphic artist position. Sure enough, I found and landed my first job, as a freelance artist for a company known as Guamzilla. Later in the years, they have made a name change to Gumamon, and I went from a freelancer to a full time employee creating product designs and ads for their social media. Landing that job while attending GCC, made me approach art with a business mindset.

Who do you idolize?

I don’t have a specific idol, I follow many creators that inspire my work or art studies.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I mostly get my inspiration from dungeons and dragons, games, animation, and comics. I always feel like drawing what you like is a great way to start creating something rather than staring at a blank page just thinking.

What do you do when you're stuck on an artwork or lacking motivation or inspiration?

When I feel stuck on an artwork or lacking motivation, I switch to learning art fundamentals and practice. I like learning from this one character concept artist that goes by Marc Brunet, he would make suggestions that greatly improved my mindset with art. One of them goes along the lines of, “Don’t create a bad relationship with your art, when you start to feel burnt out, switch your gears from creating to studying the basics. When you start having fun with your art, learn to step away from it so while you’re away, you will crave to go back and draw more.”

What do you like incorporating most into your art?

I don’t have anything specific to incorporate into my art, I mostly incorporate the new lessons or ideas I’ve learned and see if it sticks with me. I believe there’s always room to learn and grow as an artist.

What is something that you add to your art as like your signature?

Other than my actual signature, sometimes I would like to hide a frog logo I designed somewhere where it doesn’t ruin the piece.

Take us through your process for making art.

I don’t have an amazing or glamorous process. I simply would start by turning on my favorite music, podcasts, or art courses to listen to and scribble away on my sketchbook or iPad, whilst studying different art books in my collection.

What do you struggle with the most when making art?

I have two main struggles I deal with as an artist, PERFECTIONISM and TIME. Working as a Graphic Artist, I would have to make sure everything is correct or to the client’s liking as soon as possible. This causes me to make sure I know what I want and how to make sure I get the wanted results. This restrains me from ever having fun with creativity and exploration when working on my personal art. Time is another struggle of mine because my work takes the majority of my time and energy. By the time I am home I find myself having to make sure I take care of my home responsibilities before I can enjoy my free time. Usually that ends up with me only having 1 hour to do something I want for myself, maybe 3 or 4 hours if I want to show up to work sleep deprived.

What role do artists have in society?

An artist’s role in society is to help bring that spark of joy and magic to everyday life. Many artists manage to make people feel like they entered a completely different world with their visual designs in video games and comics. Artists help capture people’s hearts and emotions with animated movies or short films. Without art, I think everyday life would simply be dull.

What characteristics do you think all artists share?

I think all artists are ambitious and dedicated. Why else would they start and continue to improve their skills or create?

What’s your favorite place in Guam?

The comfort of my own home, as an introvert I find my everyday job mentally and emotionally draining especially when I get stuck in meetings or having to talk to too many people. Being at home with my husband and pets is the most ideal place for me to ensure I stay productive.

How has your artwork evolved over time?

When I was younger, my artworks were heavily influenced by anime. But due to me consuming content of artists that are in jobs that I wish to be in, my art style has drastically changed. I don’t know how to describe my current style at the moment, but I definitely want to grow out of it to improve where I lack.

Why did you choose to become an artist?

I’m not exactly an extroverted personality, so growing up I like to keep to myself and just doodle random things or create imaginary friends. My aunt introduced me to art by showing me her sketchbooks and comics. She showed me how just referencing and studying the creations of professional artists can help you learn from their strengths and weaknesses.

Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?

I’ve come to notice that many people’s excuse for not starting art is age. Many have probably heard that it is a god given “talent”. But to me that’s not accurate at all, art is a skill that takes years and years to hone like any other skill. So my tip to aspiring artists is “It’s not about WHEN you start, It is about HOW you start.” Allowing yourself to learn art basics the right way and what makes you feel comfortable is important for those who want to improve everyday.

Is your art geared towards a specific audience?

For my personal artworks and projects, no I don’t create them for a specific audience. I make my personal projects more for myself for enjoyment or self improvement. As for my job as a graphic artist, I gear my approach and styles towards businesses and entrepreneurs. I like to interact with clients to understand their personality and interests in order to make designs that will match their business and goals.