We were lucky to catch up with Chelsea Heard recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chelsea , thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I knew that I wanted to pursue art professionally when I was in the fifth grade. From an early age I’ve always enjoyed the process of creating and was fascinated with all sorts of illustrations in the books I would read growing up. Books like The Series of Unfortunate Events, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Junie B. Jones, Hugo, and the Magic TreeHouse were some books that inspired me as a child. I remember the feeling of checking out books at my local library, and studying the illustrations in the books and I remember feeling inspired. My first sketchbook as a child was an Etch-a-sketch, which I then later retired for a sketchbook and the rest was history! Growing up I also found great inspiration through movies and TV shows, like Avatar the Last Airbender, Arthur, and every Studio Ghibli movie under the sun! I used to make paper dolls of my sister’s favorite characters and we would play and create our own stories and worlds! I knew that I wanted to give my art back to my community by creating my own worlds through storytelling, illustration and animation! My grandfather Luther Hampton was one of my first art teachers. He was an accomplished sculptor in Memphis Tennessee and he was pivotal in laying the foundation for myself in my creative journey. I would watch him sculpt and draw all the time growing up and he was a great source of inspiration for myself. I loved grabbing one of his old sketchbooks and browsing the drawings that embellished each page. Now that I’m an artist, I have the ability to create on a broader platform. I still carry a small sketchbook and my ipad everywhere with me, because I never know when or where I may find something new to inspire me.
Chelsea , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Chelsea Heard and I’m a artist. This path wasn’t really something I went searching for, art very early on found me. I am a commission based artist located in Los Angeles through my company, SilentEchoArtStudios. The services I provide range from something as simple as logo designs and can become as complex as storybook illustrations, animations, storyboarding, animatics, movie posters and character designs! What sets me apart is my limitless curiosity and endless love for exploring new forms of art. I’m not afraid to try something new and I think to be an artist it’s important to explore!
If anything I want potential clients to know that I am an extremely diverse and hard worker and I love what I do. I go above and beyond to ensure that my clients are one hundred percent satisfied with the results of their commissioned work.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I would say if anything gaining a better understanding of the financial side of the art world and how an artist should market themselves would be something I wish I knew early on!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me is seeing the smile I can bring to my clients faces when the final product is finished and revealed! Nothing compares to that, and every time I see a clients face light up, it makes it all worth it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.silentechoart.com
- Instagram: @officialsilentecho_art
- Facebook: SilentEchoArtStudios
- Linkedin: Chelsea Heard
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@SilentEchoArtStudios/shorts
