Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Chow.
Hi Emily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Celtis and I am a digital illustrator and Twitch streamer. As the daughter of an immigrant household with both parents being small business owners, I believe I subconsciously developed an entrepreneurial spirit and fostered the desire to have my own business at a young age.
During my childhood, I fell in love with animated movies, webcomics, and videogames. Japanese media has had an especially strong influence on my tastes and style. The immersive stories and compelling characters drew me in and inspired me to later pursue art professionally.
Early on, I was discouraged from chasing my dream of becoming an artist; I was told that it was too risky and it would not be a wise decision financially. I had to bury those aspirations for a long time in search of something more practical as a career, but after six years of suppressing it, I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
In 2016, I graduated from Hunter College in NYC with a double major in Studio Art and Media Studies. I felt that my schooling didn’t quite offer what I was looking for, so I turned my attention to more illustrative styles that I saw online. Around that time, I became acquainted with a flourishing art community on Instagram and as I began to grow a small audience from sharing my art, I was able to meet fans in person while selling my work at local shows. Ever since then, I have exhibited my work at multiple conventions across the country; it has allowed me to network with fellow artists, meet potential clients, and interact with my audience.
In 2018, I began sharing my art process on the live-streaming website Twitch. What had started as a casual way to show my workflow with a few friends has since blossomed into a vibrant global community of highly engaged fans. My streams now reach hundreds of viewers who enjoy hanging out and chatting with me on a weekly basis.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey as a freelance artist has been riddled with uncertainty, particularly in the early years. Carving a path for yourself in the art industry is a tough task when there is no defined blueprint to follow. I knew nothing about what steps I needed to take toward becoming a professional artist. I lacked the resources and had minimal exposure to the art industry growing up, so I had to figure out a lot of things on my own as I went along.
Starting in high school, I grew acutely aware of the financial stress that my family struggled with. Suddenly, the need to support my family became a driving force to work hard and improve myself. There is an inherent risk when you choose to go independent and run your own business. Perhaps it was a mix of naivety and sheer willpower, but I found myself stumbling forward and taking steps that eventually compounded into something more.
I did not know what kind of jobs were possible with art, so the idea of pursuing a career in it was always quite nebulous. It wasn’t until I discovered the convention scene after I graduated from college that I slowly started to see the opportunities out there. Self-doubt has been a prevalent feeling throughout my journey because I did not feel like I had a solid foundation to build on top of. There have been extended periods where my mental health suffered from the pressure of improving my craft and learning how to run a business simultaneously.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in character art digital paintings with a focus on fashion and floral themes. I love exploring original concepts as well as adding my own spin when drawing subjects from popular shows and games. As an independent artist, I create merchandise that I sell in my online shop and in person at various conventions across the country.
From leveraging my online fanbase and presence on social media, I have worked with Wacom, Adorama, and Canon USA on multiple projects that include ad campaigns, product reviews, and sponsored art contests. I have also freelanced for clients like Lindsey Stirling with whom I worked extensively as a figure artist on her original comic series titled Artemis.
While I consider myself an artist first and foremost, I have discovered my passion for community-building as well. Connecting with people, making them feel seen and heard is something that matters to me because it was what I lacked when I was starting out. Twitch has become a significant part of my identity as an online creator because it gives me the space to experiment with personality-driven entertainment.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Be your authentic self. For much of my life, I have felt like I needed to hide my personality and quirks out of fear of judgment. It stemmed from insecurity about who I was and that my interests were too niche. Once I became more comfortable with the person I am and I stopped worrying about what box I fit into, it was easier to accept myself and lean into what makes me unique as a person and as a creator.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.celtisart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celtis_/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/celtisart
- Other: https://www.twitch.tv/celtisu/
