We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jiwon Lisa Choe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jiwon Lisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

My creative journey began when I briefly attended school in the United States at the age of 11. I was 11 years old at the time and struggled to blend in with my peers due to my language skills. Feeling isolated, I spent much of my time drawing. Observing this, my teacher kindly suggested that I take on the role of directing a stage production for a school event. I was encouraged by her support and took on the challenge. Despite the language barrier, I had a wonderful experience collaborating with my classmates.

That experience was a turning point for me. Through art, I was able to share my world and connect with others, even without the need for words. It made me realize that art is my language. Since then, I have been driven to refine my craft, using illustration as a medium to create compelling stories that resonate with people and create connections.

Jiwon Lisa, 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?

Hello! I’m Jiwon Lisa Choe, a Korean visual development artist and illustrator based in Pasadena, CA. I’m passionate about creating stories with compelling visuals that inspire and create deep emotional connections with the audience.

From a young age, I’ve been captivated by stories that evoke emotions and offer immersive experiences through art and imagination—especially animated films from Disney and Pixar. Growing up watching these beautifully crafted stories, I wanted to become a visual storyteller myself. This passion led me to pursue a career in illustration and develop my artistic voice.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Before pursuing a career in illustration, I worked as a graphic designer in Korea. I loved working as a designer, but my true passion has always been storytelling, particularly for animation and short films. I consistently created artwork whenever I had free time and luckily had the opportunity to showcase my pieces as a participating artist at an illustration fair in Korea. Connecting with fellow artists and seeing people’s reactions to my works was an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding experience for an aspiring artist like me. Also, I found comfort in using illustration as a medium for storytelling, and it truly encouraged me to pursue illustration above all visual art. This experience ignited my passion for illustration, which ultimately influenced my decision to pursue a career in this field.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most fulfilling moment is when my art resonates with the audience, especially when it inspires them or evokes powerful emotions. At times, I also find inspiration in their reactions, which helps shape the direction of my work. The more I engage in this exchange with others, the more I grow and gain the passion to move forward. I hope to continue creating artwork that fosters mutual inspiration and emotional connection with people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lisajiwonchoe.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jwc_0127/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiwon-choe-574705210

Image Credits

All Artworks by Jiwon Lisa Choe