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

Hi Jocelyn, thanks for joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

My first memories of artistic transactions go back to high school, where I was doing tattoo designs for folks, and then my first official job was working at Six Flags America, doing the henna and airbrush tattoo and t-shirt designs. That said, some key memories that stick out as “first dollar earned” critical moments are seeing the folks who got tattoo designs from me actually get their tattoos on their body – that felt amazing, and then when I started college, people paying me for original oil paintings.

A family friend who was staying with us commissioned me to do a butterfly mixed with a treble clef tattoo design, and a friend from school had commissioned me to do a paint palette with a rose and a paintbrush over top a sheet of music. Both of them got those designs tattooed on them, and something about the feeling of my art being “applied” somewhere, or just being tangible outside of me, but an exchange had to happen through me for it to happen felt important.

I also did a large oil painting where I painted a poster for a play for the community college I attended. It felt really good because I was just learning how to oil paint in school, but the director who commissioned me really believed in my skills at the time, enough so to pay me money for it, and that felt really good.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a concept artist and illustrator for the entertainment industry, creating designs and pieces for comics, video games, film, and animation. I also sell art books and prints of my original works at conventions throughout the year.

When working with clients, I help visually define their vision through extensive conversation and focused iteration to make sure I clearly depict what they want to communicate. I care very much that what I’m creating for you is resonant, so it matters to me to get extremely clear with the client on how they want to accomplish that with me.

I believe what sets me apart from others is my art style and subject matter. My art is very moody, warm, intense, unique, and vibrant, and centers black folks in fantasy and sci-fi.

I am most proud of the clients that I’ve been so lucky to attract. I think they’re all visionaries and have such amazing ideas, and the fact that they see me as a good fit to work with them makes me feel really good.

I am also very proud of my Bearers art series. It depicts soul couriers who ferry souls who die alone to whichever destination they choose, and it has seemed to resonate with a lot of people over the years as I’ve showcased it at shows. I recently put together an official art book compilation of the characters and the world lore, and it was a big accomplishment for me.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part for me is seeing how my work affects others. Whether it’s having one of my prints in someone else’s hands or seeing them have an experience when they see my work feels really good. Also, getting to work with other creatives who have really amazing ideas for things is really rewarding.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Several. Here’s a list:

– Just because it’s common sometimes as an artist to be in isolation and self-deprecating about your work and your efforts doesn’t mean it’s correct or productive. It also doesn’t make you fit in the way you think it does – it does the opposite.

– Your self-esteem matters a whole lot, and you need to learn how to nurture it really well. Also, learn to be compassionate to yourself when you notice you have deficits in that area.

– Your sensitivity is a good thing and needs your discernment and direction.

There’s not so much of a singular backstory but more of a continually recurring theme throughout my journey of building my confidence and defining what “good enough” means to me. It shows up whenever I take any step forward and having to shift all of my mental fear language into one of faith and action.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jocelynshort.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jocelynshort/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jocelyn.s.104/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelynshort/