Today we’d like to introduce you to Irene Lee.
Hi Irene, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a kid, I have always loved drawing and coloring. It was and is something I could do all day, every day. I would sit coloring drawings forever and ever, thinking there was an edge or gap my colored pencils or paint did not reach to create the perfect stroke just yet. I loved taking art classes through my entire time in middle school and high school. I was typically spending all my time with art, enjoying my lunches in the art room daily with my few but precious art friends. I didn’t think I would want to pursue an art career until I saw artists on Tumblr and Instagram who were making art for animated films and shows. At that point I realized “the starving artist” trope wasn’t true and tons of creatives existed outside of fine art painting. The type of work I saw inspired me to only apply to art schools, against my parents’ wishes.
Currently, I am an illustrator studying at an art school here in Los Angeles County, where I am very happily studying illustration with a focus on Entertainment Arts. I have been learning tons of valuable skills and feel like I have grown a ton since studying here, but still struggle with desiring perfectionism in my work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road as a creative is very rocky, and I doubt many people would disagree. Coming to Los Angeles knowing no one is difficult as is and here I am, wanting to prove myself as an artist in a city overflowing with them. In this digital age, I think I end up comparing myself with the several talented people I see on social media and in person and worry that I am not enough. It would be great to just paint for fun every day, but unfortunately we have to make money to live around here haha. I am starting to think my niches aren’t special alone, and now I need all sorts of certificates and licenses for every program imaginable to become “valuable” as an artist. I am hesitant to believe I have to become as palatable and marketable as possible to succeed, even if that may be the answer.
Adding to the challenge is the fact that the animation and film industry can be incredibly volatile, and even some of the most talented individuals I know are currently grappling with finding new opportunities.
In the midst of these challenges, I am in the process of discovering my unique artistic voice, seeking to make art based on personal stories and experiences that make me unique. It’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth as I strive to produce art that reflects my vision and capabilities, something that only I can bring to life.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I share my work with friends, I often receive a wave of “awww”s or “this is so cute!” I think is funny since it was usually not the intention, but it is reassuring to hear that people see a cohesive identity in my work, even when I don’t think I have a specific style in my art. My art often leans towards a young audience, and a dream of mine is to later write and illustrate children’s books. My more recent work leans a bit more toward creating and painting backgrounds, but anything where I can sit and paint traditionally or digitally, I am all in for doing.
I am proud of my work that feels the most personal. When I draw from my own experiences and upbringing to tell stories, I find myself thinking into more detail and infusing my unique personality into my creations. My family members are a continuous source of inspiration for my art, and I believe their influence shines through in my work.
What sets my artistic journey apart is my ability to adapt and diversify my style. While there’s a recognizable look that ties all my pieces together as uniquely mine, I enjoy in exploring a wide range of styles. Being versatile allows me to constantly grow as an artist, delivering diverse visuals while maintaining the voice of my creativity.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Funny enough, it is also my earliest memory. When I was young, my parents decided to shave my head and I always wore hats till my hair finally grew back. Around the age I would have been in preschool, I remember going to the zoo with my parents. Looking back at old photos, I was wearing a yellow hat at the time.
I remember seeing the stinky animals I only saw in drawings and books in person for the first time. I specifically remember the small critter exhibition, where I was too short to see the animals in their small enclosures, so my father picked me up to see the frogs and lizards. I would yell, “Where’s the frog?” and my father would point somewhere behind the glass and say, “It’s right there!” I would never find the animal my father claimed was in the tank, and honestly, I cherished the moments of being carried around more than anything else during the zoo trip. These trips with my family were rare but precious, and I cherish the vacations we went on.
I was at the aquarium recently, and seeing kids run around from tank to tank dragging their parents around to find the elusive animals in the small tanks made me remember this memory.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ireneleeart.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/drawrenes
