Jackie Cress — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

Apr 13

Apr 13 Jackie Cress

Biography

I grew up in a beach town in central California. With so much art and beauty surrounding me, I was easily influenced and knew right away that the only thing I wanted to do with my life is to become an artist. I graduated from the Art Institute with my bachelors of science in Industrial Design in 2009 and have been working in different art fields ever since. I am currently working as a caricature artist and enjoying every second of it. Being in this field is what has inspired my current style.

Artist Statement

I create drawings of people who have a lot of character and try to put my own artistic spin on it. I love to work off of old vintage photos of people and bring them back to life with artistic caricature like features. I am very influenced by other illustrators and always strive to learn new ways of drawing and painting.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

In doing a lot of soul searching I realized being artistic is the one of the things that makes me the happiest. I can't imagine my life without art.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

I started off doing realism but as time went on I absolutely loved everything about illustration. I feel very inspired by different illustration artists that I have researched over the years. I honestly can see myself working in all fields of art.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

Probably humor and comfort, I can't see myself being too serious.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

I'll see an image and have that "I need to draw that" moment. I usually work in colored pencil and when I finish coloring I will add highlights with white paint and sometimes do an acrylic overlay.

What is your favourite part of the creative process?

Definitely adding the color and the details, but there is nothing like finishing the picture you have worked so hard on and feeling joy and satisfaction. It gives me so much gratitude.

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

I really want to focus on my illustration skills. It's a long shot but my biggest goal is to someday see my work at the Gallery in Disneyland and also I would like to create a book of all my work. For now I am focusing on being in galleries, street fairs and adding to my social media.

Instagram @studio_jax

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