Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessica Watkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Like a lot of creatives, it began when I was little. I would fill all my math homework with doodles and draw all over my skin with pen, showing up to school as a pen-tatted 7-year-old. However, I never really believed that I was good enough or that being an artist was a viable career. I was still a part of art class, and I remember having a lot of fun and putting way more effort into projects where I could draw. But that’s all it was to me—fun and a silly hobby.

I ended up graduating high school thinking I wanted to be a veterinarian, so I studied biology for the first three years of my college career. Even though I loved animals, I felt so lost studying bio. I wasn’t able to admit to myself that I had no passion for the field. I remember sitting in the library at Georgia State after studying for an organic chemistry test and realizing, “I just can’t do this.” I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I couldn’t keep lying to myself.

So, I quickly took a leap of faith and applied to SCAD’s illustration program, despite having done little to no art for those three years, hoping I had found my path. While I still have very little of life figured out, I know looking back that was one of the best decisions I could have made for myself.

Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Jessica Shime, an Atlanta-based illustrator with a deep passion for using line and color to craft captivating visual storytelling. My artistic journey is rooted in my Japanese heritage, with “Shime” being my middle name passed down by my parents. I strive to pay homage to my family and culture by weaving elements of Japanese storytelling and aesthetics into my creations.

As an illustrator, I dabble in creating cohesive, brand-consistent advertising, product packaging design (like beer can designs), and editorial work. I also have an Etsy shop where I create adorable designs for a range of products such as stickers, keychains, and totes.

My goal in working with clients is to blend their vision for their brand and advertisements with enriched, saturated color and visual storytelling, bringing their dreams to life while entertaining and intriguing their audience.

Effective communication is crucial to me when working with clients. I aim to become part of a dream team that brings their vision to life. I work closely with clients to gather their ideas, even those they might have trouble describing, and use my visual voice to show them what they are envisioning.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

A resource I wish I had relied on more earlier in my career is the incredible friends I made at SCAD. The importance of having a creative circle in the industry to share ideas and inspiration cannot be overstated. When one of us succeeds, we all rise together, and it’s vital that we uplift each other in this ever-evolving field. As the industry constantly changes, the support and of fellow creatives become our greatest asset, empowering us to navigate challenges and reach new heights together.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

One of my goals for my future projects is to honor my grandparents. I am a descendant of Japanese grandparents who were taken from their homes and moved to internment camps in Canada during World War II. They deserve to have their story told because no one should ever have to go through something like that again.

I have so much hope for the future, and I think it’s important that stories often overlooked by the media get told and shared. By paying homage to these people and learning from history, I aim to use my visual voice to create something that tells my grandparents’ story and provides hope for the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jessicashime.com/
• Instagram: @ jessica_shime
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-shime-3907a22b5?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

All Photos and images are mine