Jessica Valles is one of the most talented artists that UCLA has the pleasure of having. Her work of art is something to look upon and admire. On top of her passion for drawing, she also has a fascination and passion for literature, and plans one day to publish her own book. Her works have included writing an autobiography, fantasy fiction, and romance. Being an English major, Jessica loves what she does and hopes to one day publish her work for the world to read. Below the interview you can see her works of art that she manages to do all while keeping on top of her school work!
1. What inspires what you write?
I absolutely love to read; I love books. Because of this, I am determined to publish my own book one day. I like that I can create different worlds or people when I write. Maggie Steifvater, J.K Rowling, and J. R. R Tolkien are my inspiration to write. After reading their books, I was sure that that was what I wanted to do with my life.
2. When did you realize you also have a passion for drawing?
I’ve always liked art. In high school I started to take drawing seriously, sketching and in digital form.
3. Are you interested in double majoring in art or pursuing an art minor?
Yes, I think it would be interesting to minor in art. It would help me improve on my drawing skills. Maybe I can even illustrate my own books someday.
4. What specific kind of your work would you like to see published or displayed one day?
I am aiming for a book. I want to write YA novels (Young Adult) about adventures and magic! I would also like to write about serious topics such as self-harm or real problems that teens face because I want to be able to help or at least reach someone who is going through a tough time. Jay Asher’s book, Thirteen Reasons Why is my inspiration for wanting to write about these topics.
5. What else do you plan on seeing yourself doing in the nearby or far off future?
I plan on continuing the stories I have and then work on publishing them into actual books. I’m not into the kindle or iBooks but a book’s a book. I hope people will read my stories and be inspired to write just like I was, that’s all I really want.