Meet Laurissa Hughes | Storyboard and Comic artist, Illustrator

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

Hi Laurissa, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’ve started working more stable ‘day jobs’ recently, which has helped my work/life balance with my art job immensely. It was a hard decision to make to do this, and I do have less time to work on my art job, but it’s helped with my mental health surrounding art. It’s helped me have a much more stable income and life while still being able to work on art, and because of the stability it has allowed me to choose more jobs that are interesting to me. Also, because I have more limited time to work on art, it has helped me think of art and deadlines differently, and has improved my work life balanced that way as well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My favorite thing in the whole world is telling stories, and I believe that has been a huge motivating force in my art and creativity. I know it’s cliche, but I’ve been drawing since I was very small, and I’ve always had so many people surrounding me who have nurtured my love for art and storytelling. When I was 3 or 4, I went to Disney World, when animation was still made in Orlando, and I got to take a tour of the animation studio. I know it sounds absurd, even if it was just subconsciously, I think it was then that I decided I wanted to art as a career. It definitely wasn’t easy to get where I am professionally, but what I always tell people is to network. A lot of the work I have gotten is through doing a ton of conventions. I love them because I get to be surrounded by people who, just by the prospect of being there, are already people I have something in common with, and I also get to see and meet diverse artists. I have collaborated with so many of them, and I don’t think I’ve ever met an artist who wasn’t the nicest person. Everyone is so kind and willing to share, it’s amazing. I feel like that has informed my approach to art, too, I want to share my knowledge so that more people and generations can continue to create.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If it was summertime, I would take them to Lakeside Amusement Park. Even if they got there and they were like ‘hmm, I’m skeptical that some of these rides are safe’ I would still take them for the atmosphere and the history. There are so many eras of design that clash there and I think it’s wonderful. There are so many places in that park, too, that I wish you could still go inside that hold so much history, but I understand why they are walled off. I would love to see that place be rejuvenated at some point, I really don’t want to lose that history of Denver. If it was fall or winter, I would take them into the mountains. Obviously for the fall colors, but I grew up skiing and snowboarding and there’s something to the energy in the mountains during that time that I love. Even if they wouldn’t want to got skiing or snowboarding, I’d still love to share it with them.

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?
There are so many people in my life that have helped me and encouraged me, it’s incredible. My parents who have always encouraged me and had my back, they never questioned my choice of wanting to make my life about art and have always pushed me to do more. My extended family who have done the same and been extremely encouraging and helpful. Daniel Crosier and Elisa Sargent who recommended me for this interview. I worked on Elisa Sargent’s comic “When Baked Things Attack” which was so much fun, they have both been so supportive over the years. My mentors Shari Fleming and Chrissy Delk, who encouraged me to do Storybaording and who helped me find jobs and meet people in the animation industry. And of course all of my friends through the years! There are so many, like Breanna and Amanda, I’ve been friends with them forever. I’ve known Breanna for decades, and she has helped me through so many hard times with art and life, she’s amazing. Thank you everyone, you’re all incredible!!

Website: https://laurissahughes.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurissa-hughes-40b70432/

Other: https://bsky.app/profile/whimsyink.bsky.social