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Teen Lab at the Art Institute of Chicago
Get To Know Me: Jessenia
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HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE?
It’s very expressive, I like to show a lot of movements of my characters with lines and different colors. I am practicing background right now because I realized that background has a lot to do with art instead of focusing on the center objects. I also like to draw cartoons, Ive been trying to practice realism —kind of hard!— but I also like to make little models out of rubber bands. It’s pretty different! but I enjoy making them and exploring different kinds of figurines I can make. I like to express my imagination through art.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE?
Mostly my mom, she always gets so happy when I show her a new art piece. Ever since I was little, she always showed so much love for my art and it inspired me to make more. Anything I show her, even if I think it’s bad, she always see’s the good in it and then changes my mind.
HOW DO YOU APPROACH EACH NEW PIECE?
Usually, I just sit and think or look online for inspiration and ask my peers for inspiration. Just talking through what I want to draw out with someone really helps. It takes a lot of motivation for me to start a new project and once I start it I feel really happy when I’m in that mindset. I also start with a sketch when I have an idea, mostly in pencil.
WHAT DOES TEEN LAB MEAN TO YOU? .
Teen Lab is a place where I can show my true self. I am able to talk to new peers, make new friends, and gain new relationships. It means a lot to me to talk to so many different personalities, people from different neighborhoods and backgrounds. I love meeting new people who are out of the ordinary and I think Teen Lab is the perfect place for that.