Artist Interviewed : Jessica Jimerson
DeviantArt : http://jesshavok.deviantart.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/JessicaJimerson
Blogs: jessicajimerson.blogspot.com/
Tumblr : jessicajimerson.tumblr.com/
Website: jessicajimerson.weebly.com/
Q : What made you choose to become a artist ?
Well I've been drawing as long as I can remember, of course everyone draws in childhood but I kind of took it to another level as a kid and liked doing character designs. Giving my characters little back stories, at one point I drew a picture for every scene in the first Lord of the Rings film (sequential art and I didn't even realize at the time). My mother Annette Jimerson is a known fine artist, so I really grew up in around the art world she cultured me in art. My grandmother was also an artist, so I come from a line of artist really. I knew by the age of twelve I wanted to be a game designer since it would be a way to mix two things I loved: Art and gaming. I started college for it right after I turned twenty at Westwood College of Technology, and graduated with honors in 2011. After I acted as art lead for several game titles (2D and a 3D), then was snatched up by the comic book industry and have been a colorist/letterist ever since.
Q : What was the happiest moment of your life ?
Well graduating was up there, but my valuable memories with my family. After all memories are what we take with us in the end.
Q : What is your favorite quote and why ?
I have two actually, the first being "Art is never finished only abandoned" -Leonardo da Vinci because my mother used to tell me that one all the time growing up, and it stuck with me. I love it because not only is it true, but also because it applies to a lot in life... Really the only time anything is considered 'done' is when we are happy with it, but that doesn't mean it's finished. Just an artist is never finished learning and improving within themselves. The second being "This above all: to thine own self be true." -William Shakespeare I love that one because its important to remember not to let other change you being true to yourself is the best thing to be, anything else is a lie. Individuality is what makes the world colorful, and beautiful.
Q : Where does the inspiration come from ?
Good question. Inspiration comes from whatever makes me really happy, I find I cannot work when I'm not at least in a good mood. So before I get started with my work routine I have to be in the right mind set, and that comes from just generally being happy honestly. But sugary foods, music and looking at other artists work whom I look up to before I start, helps me get into the mind set when I need it.
Q : Describe your working routine.
Well as a comic artist I end up having to color on average two pages per week (each page taking about twelve hours each - which I like to split up over the course of two days per page). Then I have to letter on average seven pages per week alongside the coloring as I work several comic projects at once. But for the long hours I usually work at night from late evening to the wee hours of the morning, simply because I like the quite, pace and charm of working at night. There are no distractions. While I work though I almost always wear headphones, and I usually start off by listing to music which can be everything from J-Pop (Japanese pop), rap, heavy metal to classical, and I tend to listen to music in several different languages. But once that starts getting old, I later move on into audio books and poetry, generally read by my favorite actors (Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston etc.) Keeps my mind active, and boost my creativity as I go.
Q : What are your daily challenges ?
I just wish there were more hours in the day is all really, I do tend to spend a lot of time working, but I love what I do so I can't really complain too much. I also wish I had more time to paint what I want to paint, my comic work which is great commission really keeps me busy, in turn making it harder for me to find time to do my own personal art projects. Although I made my mind up at the start of this year, that I would paint at least one thing to go into my fantasy art portfolio every month, and thus far I've stuck with it. So but the end of the year I will have collection to move forward with and look into a new chapter of my art life, in publishing my originals too.
Q : What is the hardest part being a artist ?
I can't say there is a hard part, considering its all self expression even when you're working for others and bringing about their vision... It's still done in the way you express it. So I'll have to go back and say having more time in the day, for this question as well.
Q : What about the best part in being a artist ?
I love creating! Whether it be a book, a painting or a video game the feeling of bringing something to life is wonderful for me and the most rewarding part is when I can behold my finished work. In comics it's the moment when I first hold that printed copy, or when I get to see my work printed for the first time... Checking it off the finished list, and adding it to my resume also gives me a fair amount of joy.
Q : Is there anything you would like to say to your fellow artists around the world ?
I'd tell them to find what they enjoy most, and focus on it. Finding your happiness is first, then comes practicing and perfecting...
Well I've been drawing as long as I can remember, of course everyone draws in childhood but I kind of took it to another level as a kid and liked doing character designs. Giving my characters little back stories, at one point I drew a picture for every scene in the first Lord of the Rings film (sequential art and I didn't even realize at the time). My mother Annette Jimerson is a known fine artist, so I really grew up in around the art world she cultured me in art. My grandmother was also an artist, so I come from a line of artist really. I knew by the age of twelve I wanted to be a game designer since it would be a way to mix two things I loved: Art and gaming. I started college for it right after I turned twenty at Westwood College of Technology, and graduated with honors in 2011. After I acted as art lead for several game titles (2D and a 3D), then was snatched up by the comic book industry and have been a colorist/letterist ever since.
Q : What was the happiest moment of your life ?
Well graduating was up there, but my valuable memories with my family. After all memories are what we take with us in the end.
Q : What is your favorite quote and why ?
I have two actually, the first being "Art is never finished only abandoned" -Leonardo da Vinci because my mother used to tell me that one all the time growing up, and it stuck with me. I love it because not only is it true, but also because it applies to a lot in life... Really the only time anything is considered 'done' is when we are happy with it, but that doesn't mean it's finished. Just an artist is never finished learning and improving within themselves. The second being "This above all: to thine own self be true." -William Shakespeare I love that one because its important to remember not to let other change you being true to yourself is the best thing to be, anything else is a lie. Individuality is what makes the world colorful, and beautiful.
Q : Where does the inspiration come from ?
Good question. Inspiration comes from whatever makes me really happy, I find I cannot work when I'm not at least in a good mood. So before I get started with my work routine I have to be in the right mind set, and that comes from just generally being happy honestly. But sugary foods, music and looking at other artists work whom I look up to before I start, helps me get into the mind set when I need it.
Q : Describe your working routine.
Well as a comic artist I end up having to color on average two pages per week (each page taking about twelve hours each - which I like to split up over the course of two days per page). Then I have to letter on average seven pages per week alongside the coloring as I work several comic projects at once. But for the long hours I usually work at night from late evening to the wee hours of the morning, simply because I like the quite, pace and charm of working at night. There are no distractions. While I work though I almost always wear headphones, and I usually start off by listing to music which can be everything from J-Pop (Japanese pop), rap, heavy metal to classical, and I tend to listen to music in several different languages. But once that starts getting old, I later move on into audio books and poetry, generally read by my favorite actors (Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston etc.) Keeps my mind active, and boost my creativity as I go.
Q : What are your daily challenges ?
I just wish there were more hours in the day is all really, I do tend to spend a lot of time working, but I love what I do so I can't really complain too much. I also wish I had more time to paint what I want to paint, my comic work which is great commission really keeps me busy, in turn making it harder for me to find time to do my own personal art projects. Although I made my mind up at the start of this year, that I would paint at least one thing to go into my fantasy art portfolio every month, and thus far I've stuck with it. So but the end of the year I will have collection to move forward with and look into a new chapter of my art life, in publishing my originals too.
Q : What is the hardest part being a artist ?
I can't say there is a hard part, considering its all self expression even when you're working for others and bringing about their vision... It's still done in the way you express it. So I'll have to go back and say having more time in the day, for this question as well.
Q : What about the best part in being a artist ?
I love creating! Whether it be a book, a painting or a video game the feeling of bringing something to life is wonderful for me and the most rewarding part is when I can behold my finished work. In comics it's the moment when I first hold that printed copy, or when I get to see my work printed for the first time... Checking it off the finished list, and adding it to my resume also gives me a fair amount of joy.
Q : Is there anything you would like to say to your fellow artists around the world ?
I'd tell them to find what they enjoy most, and focus on it. Finding your happiness is first, then comes practicing and perfecting...
