Daily Inspiration: Meet Jessica Hsu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Hsu.

Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was about ten years old, my dad took me to a movie theater to watch “How to Train Your Dragon”. At the time, I thought that was a silly title for a movie, but I loved dragons so I did not complain. Little did I know, I would walk out of that theater and be certain to myself that I will be an entertainer and visual storyteller. I am now a recent grad of ArtCenter with a major in illustration entertainment. I am the creator of “Sumo Cat”, a personal visual development story.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely was not a smooth road having been constantly surrounded by incredibly talented artist friends since I started professionally pursuing art. When I was applying to college, I was stubborn and refused to apply to any other school besides ArtCenter Entertainment Design concept design. Though I was not accepted into Entertainment Design, I was admitted through Illustration. I struggled with an inferiority complex like every other artist and planned to transfer to Entertainment Design like I had originally planned because I had believed that was the only way I would be fulfilled and become who I thought I could be. At the start having communicated with many professors, I was constantly told to stop having the mindset of wanting to do exactly as I wanted and that I did not have the skillset to do concept. As you’ve probably noticed, I did not transfer and was occupied and satisfied with what I’ve been learning as an illustrator. To this day, I am grateful to have tossed aside my stubbornness and opened myself up to more opportunities other than concept design.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Ever since being introduced to art Nathan Fawkes, Zac Retz and having mentorship with Tiffany Mang, I’ve been very focused with specializing in color. Besides visual development, I like doing design illustrations. I am currently in progress on a series of my illustrations of my sister, who has been a fashion icon and a phenomenal inspiration to me for years. I am also working on a personal story called “Sumo Cat”, a beautiful and colorful visual development story I’ve been developing. In my free time, I practice dynamic figure gestures for fun. I think the way I use brush textures is what sets me apart from others. I have way too many brushes in Photoshop. I hoard them all and merge the ones I like into a folder. I need to keep exploring new things to keep my brain stimulated.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
First, I must credit my family, who’ve been supporting me as their child from the very beginning. Before I could drive, they took me everywhere just so I could talk to the adults in schools and professionals. I am very lucky to have supportive parents. As for the rest, most of the teachers of ArtCenter have been informative and have done a pretty good job assisting their students. But it could not have been well if it hadn’t been for my friends there, who’ve been with me from student orientation to graduation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jaysu.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jay._.su/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-hsu-921a5a217/