Artist Spotlight: Julia Cheri (@ZukaneRain)

We are excited for our very first Artist Spotlight, Julia Cheri (pronounced share-ee); also known as @ZukaneRain (pronounced zoo-kah-nee-rain)! Julia (she/her) is an illustrator who currently resides in sunny Florida — let’s get to know her.

Let’s start with the basics: what type of art do you create?

Julia: Digital art, colored pencil, ink/marker, acrylic/watercolor/gesso, or mixed media with the listed above combined.

Nice! We love the diversity in your mediums. How did your art journey begin?

Julia: I started when I was 3 years old obsessed with the behind-the-scenes artwork from cartoons I watched on 90s Nickelodeon and 2D animated Disney and Don Bluth movies. My family was not well-off so my sister and I had a lot of hand-me-downs, and when I drew I knew I could draw anything and create anything new for myself and others. That turned into an obsession of creating characters, fantasies, and a drive to try and do better every time I drew.

It’s really interesting to see how companies have gradually shifted from traditional to digital versions of animation frames. What’s your preferred art medium?

Julia: I’ve been learning digital the past 6 years slowly but surely, enough to get by and make look like my traditional work, but I love doing digital on the go and I love working with mixed media when I’m at a desk (or the floor which is always where I end up— my poor back lol)

Let’s be real: if you’re not looking like a shrimp half the time when you’re drawing, are you really drawing? 😉 Do you create art full-time, as a hobby, or are you working your way up to full-time?

Julia: I took a few year hiatus from working full time but my goal is to get back to full time when my day to day life levels out again. The past few years was a whirlwind but my passion for art and being a part of it has never dwindled. So I’m working my way to going full time and rebuilding my portfolio with newer works and commissions.

We definitely hope you can get back to full-time! What inspires you the most when you create?

Julia: A bit of everything. Music (local or famous) has always been a massive inspiration, melancholy films, other artists’ work for sure, and a lot of times my own or others’ emotions. Folklore of all kinds has always been a big inspiration for me too.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their art journey?

Julia: Be kind to yourself. If you’re like me, you’ll pick on yourself a lot and discourage yourself. Sometimes it can motivate but over time it really depletes your potential and the way you learn. I would say to start with what you like to draw and hyper focus on how to draw that well even if art schools or classes will tell you to start with the basics. Everyone should learn the basics, in my opinion it’s not fun but completely necessary if you’re serious about improving. I fought my mentor on it too when I was a teen lol.

From what you mentioned about your upbringing earlier, we know creating isn’t always easy. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist — and how did you overcome it?

Julia: My biggest road block is always and will probably always be my inspiration hitting at the wrong times. For instance when I’m at my day job, busy with an important errand, working on an obligation, big life changes… you name it. I always work best when I can’t sleep in the middle of the night when the world is quietest.

Thank you again for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything fun or random you’d like people to know about you? Perhaps your favorite snack while creating art?

Julia: I love eating sour hard gummies so I can chew on something sweet and sour while I draw. I reward myself with refreshments when I finish a big part of a drawing or piece I’m working on. I love putting on dark romances in the background or melancholy horror shows/movies while I work. When I’m not drawing I like to go thrifting, go to movies, hike when it’s not crazy hot, go to music and book shops, play video games, and restaurants I’ve never been to.

Where can readers find your art?

Julia: Currently most of my work available online is on instagram @zukanerain and on Facebook at ZukaneRain’s Sketchbook

Click artwork to view larger image.

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