Meet Elaine Chen | Character and Prop Concept Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elaine Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elaine, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I wanted to draw characters! I started drawing when I was young, and I think I just latched on to it ever since. Also, art was the only thing I felt that I was good at. I was super inspired by anime, manga, and games too and I wanted to do something related. So by pursuing concept art, I could think of worlds that I could escape into! I could design those worlds too! I like creating worlds. I really like creating fantastical worlds with overgrown moss, cute characters, comfy rooms, and mundane props. So becoming a concept artist would allow me to continue to draw all these things as a job!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I mainly draw characters! I’m not too sure how to describe my art style, but I think I kinda have a creepy but cute style. I also like changing the way I draw characters. Some days I might draw them in a chibi style the other day maybe a more semi-realistic one. I think the main similarity is that I like using desaturated colors. Recently I’ve been thinking of more silly ideas, and trying to create games with them! For example, there was an infinite runner game that my friends and I worked on! I’m quite proud of the way it turned out. One of the most recent projects I’m excited about is a personal project called “The Resting Place” which I’m hoping to develop into another game!

I think I got where I am today because of the people around me. My family, friends, and teachers were all a big part of my art journey. It’s easier to create stuff when you have people are you who motivate you to continue. So I think finding friends who have similar interests who you can draw together with definitely help. Especially with art block! Designing a fun story and creating characters for each other is a nice way to find motivation again. But one of the most important things I learned while creating is to take a break. For example, when I have a really hard time continuing to work on a project, I’ll switch up what I’m working on. So like I’ll switch from a digital painting to sculpting with clay. That way I’m still productive but I’m not stuck overworking a piece. I also have been sticking with the motto “Fake it till you make it”. So even if I think I’m not good at something, I’ll pretend I am until I feel like I sorta believe myself.

One thing that I want the world to know about me or my brand is that I like to design random stuff! I like drawing flying whales. I like designing teapots or mundane items to fill up a room. I also like drawing cute things! I want to be known for filling worlds with fun and interesting designs of both characters and props! :3

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One place that would be a nice place to start is Old Town Pasadena. There’s a bunch of different restaurants and they even have a few boba places to get. For example, there’s a Sunright there, and they have nice frosties. I’ve been getting their blueberry frostie every time I go there now! Old town is also really pretty, so we could walk around. There is also a really pretty place to sit and just talk.

Santa Anita Mall is also a great place to hangout at. The mall has everything! There’s a few places that I like going to there. For example, there’s Kinokuniya. That place is a little dangerous for my wallet, I always want to get the artbooks there. I have to stop myself every time. There is also boba! I like going to Wushiland for their small boba. You can also do some grocery shopping at Ranch 99. We could go there and also buy a bunch of snacks and drinks for the week.

Then there’s San Gabriel. There are a bunch of good Asian restaurants there. Sometimes when I miss home, I go and get some Taiwanese food there! There is also a store called Paper Cola, that sells a bunch of cute anime merch. They are also very dangerous for the wallet. But the stuff there is very cute.

Little Tokyo is also another place that’s fun to go to. There’s a really good mochi shop called Fugetsu-Do Bakery Shop. The restaurants there are all pretty good too. We used to go to Suehiro Cafe a lot, but it closed down. But I still recommend going to Marugame Monzo, and Pasta e Pasta by Allegro.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s a bunch of people I would like to give credit to! My parents, friends, and art teacher all helped me a bunch. Without my parents’ support, I don’t think I would’ve been able to become an artist. I’m really glad that my mom sent me to art class when I was younger. As for my friends, they are my main source of motivation. When I see their art it inspires me to draw and continue to create. One of my friends Christina Wang, a fellow artist, is incredibly lovely and has been helping me create art for the game ideas we’ve been working on! She also helps me with creating merch and tabling at different events! I also have this one art teacher, Megan Jerbic, that I’m eternally grateful for. She was the one who helped me when I started getting serious about doing art. She is a great teacher, and her assignments have been both fun and helpful. She helped me grow the most!

Website: https://elainechenportfolio.cargo.site/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghoustboi/

Twitter: https://x.com/ghoustboi_laine

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ghoustboi

Image Credits
Edward Pei for first personal photo