We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Simone Hester. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Simone below.

Hi Simone, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

Do I wish that I had started my art career sooner… I have thought about this often, but I’ve realized that my art, my style would not be what it is today if I made a different choice. My initial career began in management and I was able to utilize my creativity in each position that I held. So I was able to scratch any little creative itch that I felt during that time.

It wasn’t until 2010, that I decided to go for it. At the time I fell in love with digital photography, especially being able to create an interesting piece with the use of Photoshop. I began to submit work to juried shows and the joy I felt once I got the invited to display my work was overwhelming. I was full of immense joy and pride. I felt like an artist.

I’ve juggled my art career along with a career in management since that time and I’ve also began to focus primarily on painting and drawing, which I have loved to do since I was a little girl.

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

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and fell in love with art at a young age. I began private art lessons that lasted through high school. During this time, I developed a love for drawing and painting. While attending college, a passion blossomed for the digital arts – graphic design and eventually digital photography. I combine my love for digital arts, photography and painting to create my very own technique when crafting a photographic piece. When I paint, my preferred medium of choice is watercolor. When I pick up a pencil and pen, I like to draw Zentangle Inspired Art. I am always a student of art, I choose to learn and practice in my favorite art mediums and I’m constantly creating new work. I see all subject matter as beautiful and try to capture it in my own unique way – whether I pick up a pencil, camera or a paintbrush.

My pieces are things you have seen before, yet, you have not. Taking traditional subjects and drawing patterns, shapes, lines, swirls, curves, sometimes with a splash of color, a touch of metallics, transforming what you expect to see into something that is more dynamic. In photography, I like to twist and bend using various aspects of Photoshop, but there are moments when it is just a simple tweak to enhance the beauty of what I was able to capture. I do not photograph as much as I used to, I have truly found my place in my drawings and paintings. But it will always be a love of mine.

When I draw, my process begins with a simple thought, an idea. I roughly sketch the idea on paper and slowly define it, adding key aspects and focal points. Once my sketch is complete, I use a fine liner pen to create an outline. I have a few favorite patterns, but I typically sit back and decide what goes where to help detail the piece on which I am working. Recently, I have begun adding watercolors (another favorite medium of mine) to see how well they play together, and I am in love with it. Combining both of my styles into a new creation is my evolution with the result being a truly dynamic piece. Because honestly? That is what life truly is… it is dynamic. It ebbs and flows. There’s black and white and color. Straight lines and curves. So, my work is my contribution to that rhythm.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect for me is the actual the peace that I feel when I create. A long time ago, I use to create for the hope that others would like my work. I desired that validation. As I’ve gotten older (and a little wiser), I now create for me and that freedom from the pressure of trying to please others gives me such peace. The benefit and result of creating what I want is that it creates such an organic and authentic response from followers of my art. I’ve gotten such positive feedback.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

There are several ways that society can best support creatives and artists. First, it is important to actually support someone’s work. Artists of all mediums, work very hard to create what they do. So support them by sharing their work on social media, supporting by purchasing originals and/or prints of their work or visit a gallery/festival. If it’s performance art, be sure to go to a production.

Secondly, honor the artwork and respect copyrights. I mentioned early about the hard work behind all of the art, it is devastating to see any artist’s work stolen and sold as someone else’s.

Finally, keep the arts in schools. For some kids, being able to create is their outlet. Being able to play an instrument, act in play, paint a picture, write a poem, take a photograph enhances the learning process. We’ve been a society that has pushed S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and there is nothing wrong with kids who thrive in that environment, but I think society could truly benefit if the focus was on S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, ARTS, mathematics).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simonehester.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonehesterart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simonehesterart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-hester-416769129/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/simonehesterart

Image Credits
All images are copyright of Simone Hester.