Meet Jess Martinez of Scionillustration in Downtown LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Martinez.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a first generation American, my family immigrated here to the US from another country. And I come from a decently creative family( at least I think so)! Everyone in my family has had something to do with the arts, for example , wood working, painting, sculpting, drawing, etc. So becoming an artist was pretty natural to me. Right now I’m a student and I work so I can only create in my free time. It took me a long time to get to where I am now and to find a sort of “balance” between my art and life. It’s not quite where I want it to be yet but I hope it gets there someday ! Regardless, when I do create they are usually pieces inspired by nature, the cultures around me and the thoughts and emotions that go on in my daily life!

Great, 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?
I don’t think anyone has ever gotten to where they are without a few bumps in the road. I struggled every day for a long time and I’m sure others can relate to that. Aside from personal struggles, I had problems with creating due to anxiety and art block. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place for a very long time! I’m not completely free from those feelings yet, I still struggle with them daily, but I am in a better place than a was a year ago. I still get anxious talking to others and sharing my work, I still feel stuck sometimes too. Although I do try my best to make things work because I remind myself that things aren’t so bad anymore. I have other artists who support me, and a family who supports me as well. It reminds me that bad times.. are just times that a bad? 🙂

What else should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the others?
Hmmm… I create art. Illustrations, watercolor paintings, and mixed media works. I have no specialties at the moments since I just draw what I feel and paint what I think is needed. I don’t have anything that I do well, I just do a little bit of everything. I guess that’s what makes me different? Because I don’t stick to one thing (though I should someday). I’m still trying to find what I like the most. But for now I’m pretty proud of the fact that I like to explore and try new things, I don’t stick to one mold for too long.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment has to be when I won the Congressional District Art Competition. I was a junior in high school and my art was hung in Capitol Hill Hallway. It was a pretty big deal to me because I was also invited over to D.C. to have breakfast with senators and such. As a high schooler, it was cool that I was able to take my dad to the East Coast since it was his first time there. It was also on his birthday so it was a great moment. I really felt like I made my parents proud for the first time- which in turn made me proud of myself!

Pricing:

• Watercolor portrait – $45-65
• Digital portrait- $25-45

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/scionillustration
• Twitter: Twitter.com/scionillustrate

Image Credit:
@scionillustration

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