Conversations with Rachel Lee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Lee.

Rachel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Getting into art wasn’t ever a problem for me; my parents, specifically my mom, always encouraged it ever since I was a kid through little hobbies of jewelry making, sewing, photography, film, animating, and painting. She would take me to farmer markets, museums, and San Francisco with her each weekend just to expose me to different forms of art and creativity. So to say art built who I am isn’t an understatement; it is quite literally everything to me and, of course, my favorite thing to do from my childhood to now. I never knew what I wanted to do as a kid, changing my dream from becoming a fashion designer to an animator, a concept artist, or a graphic designer to now an illustrator, but I always knew that art would be my endgame. Which is why I chose to be an illustrator, tackling different types of art mediums while still enjoying every aspect of it.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It wasn’t always a smooth road, I was raised in Norcal in the Bay Area, where most of the time the focus was on either STEM or business. The environment there heavily criticized those who didn’t want to pursue high-paying careers, especially in the tech world. To them art was nothing but a commodity and entertainment rather than a serious career. So doing art was more of a privilege, and having to constantly prove to people that it was my dream was exhausting.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Although I’m still currently a student, I’m pushing myself to become a character designer and Visdev artist in the entertainment field, with my work mostly focusing on a comic-like, heavy art style and the intricate, detailed linework that I’m known for, as well as my intricate, detailed backgrounds that reel viewers into the storytelling. I’m proud to see how far I’ve gone, especially with my progress, and hope to explore more comic-like illustrations and bridge them more into adult animation and games, not just children’s media. Setting myself apart from other people, I want to not only appeal to my work to viewers and other artists but also bring them joy and nostalgia. As we go forward as a society, looking back at old art, media, or other pieces embedded in what we usually see isn’t always a bad thing but can also be enjoyable, and I think we should continue doing that as we go forward.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Knowing my industry (the art industry) and the changes it already has gone through because of AI, I don’t doubt there will be more heavy changes and incorporation with AI where it’ll replace us artists. But I hope in the next 5-10 years, producers who care about creating a good show and production will succeed over those who want to create just for money and greed. As the industries that care for the old generations slowly die out, there will be a new change of priority of targeted audience that will care for commodities and entertainment that is unique, creative, genuine, and positively impactful to our society. As AI will slowly die over time and hopefully be used for what’s needed, like difficult jobs that impact human health.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/racel_aww

Image Credits
Rachel lee