Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Li.
Chelsea, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always loved to draw as a child, and as I had a grandpa who previously worked in the film industry overseas– he helped inspire my love for animation from a very young age. I would constantly be amazed by all the different animated movies we would watch together, from niche Chinese animations to Disney features, and anime television shows, it all sparked a lot of interest for me. Drawing has always been something I’ve enjoyed as a hobby– particularly as it helped me escape into my own world and help myself visualize the stories that I wanted to tell. I eventually got accepted into California Institute of the Arts for character animation and that’s how I brought my life from Vancouver, Canada down to LA. Now I am currently a second year student and working on my very own animated film.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t have a tragic past or anything, although the road to where I am now has just been a lot of consistent hard work. I would draw everyday and fill up my sketchbook pages whenever I had the time, which usually went into late night hours. Since I never took proper art classes, I went through a lot of trial and error to learn the skills I have now. Once I found out about CalArts, I practiced my skills daily to hope to be good enough to get accepted, at one point I filled out every little crevice on all the available paper I had a home because I drew so much! I was very fortunate to have my grandpa support me along the way and keep me in check–even when I wanted to go off to play video games, he would make sure I kept practicing.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am currently a student that aspires to work in the animation industry, I’m particularly interested in design and visual development as I have an affinity towards worldbuilding and exploring characters with my illustrations. I’ve always been a fan of open world video games in that sense, as it really expands on the worldbuilding element–which I take a lot of inspiration from. I hope to one day create animations with a world that feels lived in and vast, with equally specific and engaging characters.
If you had to start over, what would you have done differently?
I believe that everything I have done–good or bad, has led me to where I am now, in fact I might get more nervous if I had to redo it all! However, if I absolutely had to start over I would tell myself that I don’t need to draw in a certain way or style to feel accepted– if I keep drawing what makes me happy I will feel happier and more fulfilled with myself. Also, to not forget my visa at home that time, I was in line at border control!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chelsealiart.com/
- Email: [email protected]
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