Jannie Ho

How  did you decide to be an artist?
 

I don’t recall if there was a moment I decided to become an artist. I think many artists  already loved drawing and making things at a young age. It was just a natural feeling that I was meant to do something in the creative field.
 

How did you choose illustration as your main focus?
 

I didn’t even know being an illustrator existed. I knew I wanted to be in the creative field, but very limited knowledge of what the options were. I thought I had wanted to be a fashion designer. But in art school as a freshman, we were able to pick different majors to try out. I took an illustration class and it was so obvious I was meant to be in illustration! I went to see the senior illustration show that year and it was like I found 

my tribe.
 

Who were some of your role models?
 

There are too many to mention them all, but when I was a student- I was inspired by J Otto Seibold's work. At the time, children's book illustration was still very traditional in feel and style. There were many debates whether digital art belonged in the children's book space. J Otto Seibold's work was fresh, graphic, and unapologetically digital. It was the kind of work I wanted to do. It gave me hope that I can work as a children's book illustrator and I should go and push those boundaries.  
 

Can you describe the community of illustrators in the 

United States?
 

I always love being with my fellow illustrators…I always feel at ease with them. I'm happy I get to connect with illustrators from different parts of the US now in the digital age.
 

How do illustrators support one another?
 

Being an illustrator is usually a solo endeavor. We are usually in our heads and in our studio all day. So reaching out and connecting is so important. Sharing ideas and techniques, supporting and showing up at each other’s events and shows are all wonderful things to build in our community.
 

How do you juggle family and career?
 

That is the million dollar question and I wish I could juggle it all effortlessly or have the secret to it all! But it does a disservice to others if I pretend everything is well balanced. The needs of my work and the needs of my family change from day to day. So I would say flexibility is the most important thing. Also throwing out the perception of what one’s career or one’s family is supposed to look like. We have to do whatever 

works for us.
 

What inspired your early illustrations?

There were always silly, funny, and sweet images in my head that I wanted to make. I enjoyed puns and jokes but I also loved creating innocent and cute worlds, so the mix of those two things always inspired my work. 

What is your driving force to keep working on your career?
 

I’m very grateful that I get to do what I love for a living . It is a tough road- a career that doesn’t go in a straight line but with a lot of twists and turns, ups and downs. But I still have a lot I want to express creatively and when the right project, right energy, right opportunity strikes- it creates pure magic. It makes me invested and hooked. So I take it as seriously as I can while having the most fun.
 

What career opportunities are there for illustrators?
 

There are many different subfields in illustration. Look around in daily life- and wherever there is a piece of art- someone created it. I always say- it didn't come out of thin air! For example- art in books, patterns on a fabric, packaging, entertainment, etc.
 

What advice would you give to children interested
in illustration?
 

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, no one makes perfect drawing the first time around. If it is something you want to do as a career, it is important to hone your craft but also learn the business side just as well.