Meet Audrey Lee

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

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m an illustrator from Los Angeles, CA. Drawing was something that was constant throughout my childhood and was always a part of my life. I was a very wild and crazy child (God bless my parents) but sitting down with a piece of paper somehow kept me calm. The funny thing is I didn’t grow up wanting to become an artist. Drawing was just a hobby and something I loved to do because I simply enjoyed doing it. It wasn’t until my senior year in high school when I was applying for colleges when I really considered the idea of pursuing art as a profession. I was pretty unhappy at the time because I wasn’t great in academics and I felt an enormous pressure to spend hours studying for the SAT’s or for an AP Science class that I had absolutely no interest in.

But I was also taking an art studio class at the time that I spontaneously decided to enroll in as an extra elective because, why not. But that’s what changed everything. I think it dawned on me one Wednesday night when I was working on a wood carving print at 3AM and found myself loving every moment of it. That’s when I realized I could see myself doing this ‘art thing’ for real. A couple weeks later, I threw in my last college application to the only art college I was able to apply to – Otis College of Art and Design. And the rest is history!

Please tell us about your art.
I feel that my artistic style changes from time to time, because I have to keep myself interested in whatever I’m working on. So whatever trend, color palette, topic, or funky shape that interests me, I use it in my art to keep me engaged and excited. I mainly create digital illustrations that range from highly illustrative to minimal; using Photoshop and my trusty Cinitq for most of my work. I absolutely love drawing women. Something about the many shapes and curves of the female figure, and how she can embody grace and elegance but also power and the anthem of “ain’t taking sh!t from nobody”. I don’t think it’ll ever bore me. It’s been a lasting obsession.

We’re currently living in such an interesting and scary political climate. I do my best to keep myself informed but also try whatever I can to inform others or to bring light to a dark situation by using art as a form of expression. I don’t know how effective it can be, but I’m willing to keep trying.

I’m also (proudly) part of a female-driven art collective called ‘Get it Girl Collective’ with illustrators Amelia Giller, Xoana Herrera, and Kaitlyn Mahoney as our amazing producer. My amazing ladies!!! We started this collective to motivate and push one another to make more personal work every month and to have fun making art for ourselves again. We also began using the collective as a platform to feature female artists we all admire or to spotlight a specific topic we’re passionate about. I’m so proud of this collective and it’s been incredibly encouraging to see so much support from our friends, fellow artists, and people all over the world!

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I definitely believe so, especially when social media has become such a huge part of our lives. Because my work is easily accessible via Instagram, I try to use it as a platform to make a statement on certain issues that I care deeply about or even just bring some lightheartedness to the world. It’s been really disturbing to see and hear what’s been going on in our current events that it helped me prioritize my focus on what is important and what isn’t. So, I tend to lean more towards certain projects that address topics that grab my attention or that I find important. As corny as it sounds, art really is a universal language. And it’s our job as artists to use whatever tools we can to be the voice for those who can’t speak for themselves, and to bring joy and comfort to those who need it most.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can check out my work on my website: www.audreyjl.com or my Instagram: @audjree ! I rarely have an online shop up for prints, etc. so just taking a peek at my work is very much appreciated and the most support I can ask for. But I am hoping to have a shop set up soon!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.audreyjl.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @audjree

Image Credit:
Main photo: Kenzie Kate Photography
All work is made by Audrey Lee.
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