Jacqui C. Smith
Illustrator

Cultural Artists Spotlight: May 29 – June 12, 2019

Can you tell us a little bit about what you do?
I’m a freelance illustrator. My personal work is a mixture of ink, wood, and digital art. I love showcasing a diverse group of women in my images and my main focus is uplifting and motivating women of color through art.

How did you first become interested in art?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. I always knew I wanted to do something creative but when it came to deciding what I’d major in in college, I had a hard time narrowing down my options. I ended up going to school for traditional animation and during that time I found that I was very passionate about inking and illustrating. I’ve spent the last 8+ years focusing on finding my creative viewpoint.

How can art enrich a community, and what are some ways people can become engaged with art in Burbank?
Every time I’m at an art show, I meet so many unique people from all walks of life. We get to talking about social issues, lack of diversity and inclusion, inequality, and so much more. I love the fact that something as simple as a sticker, a print, or a coloring book can bring up challenging conversations. There are so many ways for people to engage with art in Burbank by supporting small businesses that sell or create local art and attend art shows and festivals.

If you could share with our community one thing about art, what would it be?
Everyone needs some form of art in their lives. It brings people together, it challenges what you think and believe, and makes you appreciate the beauty in almost anything.

To find out more about Jacqui’s work, visit www.jacquicsmith.com.
www.instagram.com/jacquicsmith