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

Jesse, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you have any key partners or vendors – if so, how’d you find them and start working with them?

Learning how to network is a huge part of flourishing as an artist, and having to push myself out of my shy little corner was both scary and rewarding. Each time I tried, I met new people and new opportunities, some of which will last for years. One that comes to mind is an organization called The Cherry Pit. I first learned of them when I heard of a zine-making event they were hosting, and I decided to drop in. The organizers of the event were quite friendly, so I continued to attend their art workshops and I got to know them better. I learned that they host art markets twice a year, and I had been considering vending at markets, but I didn’t know the first steps to take. Knowing that I could sell my art with them gave me the push I needed to try it out, and now I have vended at multiple events and I am proud to have a collection of artwork that I can share with everyone. They are great hosts that I plan to continue to work with, and I only found them because I had the confidence to go out there and show my skills.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My desire to learn animation came after I learned how to draw, and I thought, “I guess I’m alright at this, but how can I push it further? Of course! I can make it move!”

This launched into me wanting to pursue art as a profession, and I was then set on the path to an animation diploma. My professors were incredible at teaching us not only animation, but how to turn our skills into a source of income, and told us what sort of opportunities were available in this industry. I’ve taken commissions, been part of film festivals, worked as a brand designer, and vended at markets. There’s many ways to make money as an artist, and I’ve enjoyed them all.

A personal interest of mine is aquatic life, which is reflected in a lot of art that I’ve made for myself. It’s the entire theme of the art that I sell at markets, and I’ve been grateful to work with marine organizations and podcasts. Jobs related to science communication always spark my interest the most, and when fish are involved, it’s even better!

I don’t want to narrow myself into a niche though, especially as I find my way into making my passion a living. I’m excited for any opportunity that comes my way, and I love to help people with all sorts of projects. Seeing clients excited about what I’ve made for them is the best part of the job.

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

There are so many resources out there for artists, especially while you’re a student! I had no idea until my last year of schooling the amount of grants, bursaries, and opportunities there were that were exclusive to students. I was able to latch on to a few of these in my last year, but I wish I had more time to make use of them. Funding programs for students are easier to get thanks to their limited pool of applicants, so if your pitch can stand out, the funding is yours. There are also many film festivals that will only accept student submissions, or accept them with a lower submission fee, which is very valuable to anyone that’s looking to get their work into the public eye. Take advantage of these opportunities while you can!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are so many rewarding aspects, including finishing a long project or making friends within the community. However, my favourite part of this career has to be working together with a client and seeing their creativity reflected in my own work. Hearing their input and ideas is always fun, and it can lead to a result that even I didn’t expect. Once the final product is complete, seeing their excitement to show it off is the most rewarding part.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jwaughtal.format.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nautical.jesse
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-waughtal-1127a4340
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nauticalwaffle

Image Credits

Alberta Media Arts Alliance Society
Tyler McKinney
Tanya Paniaq