Meet Jessica Wijaya | Vis Dev Artist and Illustrator

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

Hi Jessica, what matters most to you?
Being honest with yourself and staying true to what you love has always been at the forefront of my mind whenever I am creating personal art work. I find that when you are having fun while you are creating art, people have a tendency to respond more strongly to it. For the longest time, I have actually been self-conscious about creating fanart/anime illustrations and paintings. The genre was strongly discouraged in the classroom when I was attending art college. I understood that my instructors were encouraging originality and individuality amongst students, but as a result, I personally avoided the genre like the plague and felt that I would be shamed for creating that specific type of art.
This past year, however, I decided to disregard my insecurities and dedicated myself to creating illustrations/paintings of the characters I enjoy from the games and anime shows that I love. Surprisingly, I found new opportunities open up to me inside and outside of work as a result! I was able to become more involved in painting anime-inspired posters for work at Kaidro LLC and even had the honor of helping establish the background style of Choc Chip Animation’s “Art of Murder” animation project. Had I not taken the risk in creating the things I truly enjoy, I don’t think the opportunities I had would have opened up to me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
During the work day, I am an environment artist for the webcomic “Kaidro: The Awakening”. The things I create for it vary depending on what needs to done and yoyo between creating environment concepts and background painting, During my free time, I create fanart illustrations based on anime/games I love!

I wanted to pursue a career in environment concept art after graduating art college but wasn’t equipped with the specific skills I needed in order to get hired for the role. I didn’t have the financial ability to move closer and attend the institutions in LA that are known for teaching it, so I was working front desk jobs while trying to figure out how to get into that specific line of work. Then when the pandemic hit back in 2020 I took full advantage of all the concept/design classes that opened up online! I absorbed everything I could from my instructors, and did my best in creating work to put into my portfolio. I eventually found work via recommendation, and am now working as an environment artist full-time and moved to the LA area! Though you don’t get your educational pathway right the first time, it’s never too late to change course and work towards to your dream career as long as you are persistent.

Creating fanart illustrations have been a more recent development this past year! I mostly make them as a mental break after work and to fulfill myself creatively. Nowadays, I think I am more recognized for my fanart illustrations instead of my personal environment art, but I don’t particularly mind at this moment! I have started selling my artwork in conventions on the side and am learning how to build my own brand as I go. My goal someday is to develop my own visual IP!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I always start the day with coffee! For Coffee I would probably take them to Regent Coffee or maybe Penny Oven if they are looking to grab some breakfast as well. I have yet to try everything on the menu but I do love their Dutch baby pancakes! I would also take them to the Huntington library and sketch, walk around or check out the museum. I would also take them to get some ramen at Tsujita and check out the shops and desert spots along Sawtelle Japantown. I am usually one who enjoys going to theme parks with friends, so I would probably take them to either Disneyland, Universal, Knott’s Berry farm or 6 Flags. Depending on what they are in the mood for!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I credit alot of my growth to the instructors I had learned with during the pandemic: Kenny Vo and Scott Zenteno! They have given me so much support, confidence and encouragement in my pursuit to finding work in the entertainment industry and I have learned so much from them. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: https://www.jwijaya.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwijaya_art