Meet Grace Chomick: Illustrator

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

Hi Grace, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
I define it as a feeling of fulfillment. And I think that goes for things of all scale – from a single task or project, all the way up to your career and the cumulation of your life. If you feel fulfillment in what you’re doing, in what you’ve accomplished, in who you are, you have found success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an illustrator with a day job (and for a long time, 2+ jobs), so the struggle for me is often having the energy to create in the little free time I have outside of work. And while I’m grateful for the commissions that I get (yes, I absolutely would like to draw your pets!), that gives me even less time to focus on my own work.

What’s helped me is having things like “Drawtober,” where you draw everyday for the month of October, as a way to motivate myself because it’s a community event that’s fun to participate in (social media really comes in clutch here) but it’s limited in duration so I don’t have to feel guilty if I’m not constantly drawing the rest of the year. Drawtober and “draw this in your style” type challenges are great ways to get the creative juices flowing since they often have prompts or something to base your drawing off of so you’re not stuck staring at a blank page (or Procreate/Photoshop/Illustrator/etc. canvas) with no idea where to start. I’m also a big fan of Carson Ellis (@carsonellis), an illustrator who does a regular randomized prompt called “Transmundane Tuesdays.” Prompts and challenges are just a fun way to make some art with no pressure attached – and I often end up with an illustration I really like that I can sell as prints, shirts, or whatever.

I think one of the most important things you can do as an artist is to just keep making things. So, whatever you can do to make it easier/more fun for yourself in these busy modern times, I suggest doing it. And to loop back to the idea of success, I firmly believe that you’re a successful artist if you enjoy the work you’re creating regardless of whether or not your art gains you recognition or money.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m an Austin, TX based artist who hasn’t spent any time in LA in a decade, unfortunately. So, I don’t have any good answers for this besides touristy things like LACMA, the Getty Museum, and the Griffith Observatory – though you can absolutely catch me at those places again on future visits.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I mean, it takes a village, right? There are more people who have contributed to my success (both consciously and unconsciously) than I can even begin to name. But I would say the friends that I’ve accumulated in my lifetime have been spectacularly supportive. Their unwavering support is often what makes it easy to keep making and sharing my art. And in turn, I support them and their creative endeavors because we are a community that celebrates each other’s success and I get so much joy and fulfillment from that.

Of course, I probably wouldn’t even be on this artistic journey without my dad. He’s an artist (with a recent Shoutout interview) himself, and has been throughout my entire life. I’m incredibly blessed to be from a family of artists of various disciplines, but the example that my dad set for me and his philosophy on art has undoubtedly shaped my philosophy and aesthetic style. He will definitely read this, so: thanks, Dad!

Website: gracechomick.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gracechomickillustration

Image Credits
Grace Chomick