Artist's Blok Magazine issue 5 | Page 6

photographs courtesy of artist Jessica Esper Jumping Brain - Kreaytivitea Who is Jessica Esper? I am a 29-year-old artist, specializing in graphic design, painting, illustration and macro photography. I graduated from The Art Institute of Washington in 2008 with a BFA in graphic design. I have a presence on the web and even teamed up with my youngest sister to create a YouTube channel “The Graphix Chick” to promote my work and inspire others. In 2013, after a few years of working in the design field for small 6 Artist’s Blok Magazine businesses and corporations, I decided to fire my boss and start my own business, “The Graphix Chick, LLC. Now I am free to pick and choose who I create for and I get to do all of the things I love doing. Where did the name “The Graphix Chick” come from? My artist name “The Graphix Chick” was originally just my gamer tag. My brother is a hardcore gamer and he gave me an www.artistsblok.com Xbox as a wedding gift. I have been a gamer ever since. I thought it was a fitting name given the fact that I am a graphic designer. I spelled it with an “x” because “Graphics” was already taken. “Ducky” photographs courtesy of artist Jessica Esper How long have you been an artist? I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. I started winning awards in the 3rd grade when I won a contest for a “Drug-Free School.” I won an award for my work in the 4th grade when I lived in Hawaii; the prize was a summer of art classes at Punahou, an elite private school. I went to the Art Institute on a $32,000 scholarship, the 1st prize in an art contest. By the time I reached high school I was certain I would somehow make my “job” creating art. How would you describe your style? My work is very colorful, with a balance between detail and large solid areas. I like to use bold black lines to separate and accent my bright color choices. How has your art experience helped develop your style? Studying graphic design at the Art Institute definitely enhanced my drawing skills and enables me to really create great composition. My photography background also plays a big role in composition and 7 www.artistsblok.com Artist’s Blok Magazine