I came across Jade Delecia a few months back when a couple of her piece came across my Twitter timeline. What really struck me is how detail her sketches were. Jade finds a lot of her inspiration from Hip Hop and in which the end result is nothing short of amazing. Delecia was also able to present a piece to one of her favorite artist. Read the full interview below.
Def Pen Radio: So we finally get to sit & speak to the talented Delecia. How’s everything going?
Jade Delecia: Very well thank you!!!
I see you’re working on a new piece, are we calling it “The 20 Most Influential People in Hip Hop”?
Yes something like that, it’s a matter of opinion so my Twitter followers are helping me decide who to add in next.
You live and breathe art, when did the journey begin for you of becoming an artist?
As a hobby my love for drawing was prominent from a young age, as a career its been nearly two years since I did my first commissioned piece.
Your pieces are extremely detailed, on average how long does it take you to do one piece?
Thank you. It depends on the size. An A4 sketch I can do in about 4 hours whereas a collage can take about a week.
Now when you’re preparing these pieces, what’s your creative process?
I play music, I find it much harder to draw if there is no music playing, it helps me to stay focused.
A lot of your work is inspired by Hip Hop, when did you fall in love with Hip Hop?
In my early teens, I found it incredibly raw and real, nothing like I had heard before.
I’m very observant and could probably guess your favorite MC, but I’ll let you spill it.
Well considering I have a 4 foot sketch of Tupac on my bedroom wall I must say him (haha) I’m a massive Kendrick fan as well.
What makes him your favorite MC?
His passion, his content. He was very intelligent.
What’s your favorite song from Tupac?
That’s not an easy question!!!!! Either Dear Mama or Hail Mary.
You’re also a huge fan of Jhene Aiko as well, and got a chance to present a portrait you did for her, how did that come about?
I’m a very big fan of Jhene Aiko, she writes her own music, she has a beautiful voice and a lot of substance. I think you would forever learn something new about that lady. Her manager saw my work and asked me if I would like to present it to her. It was inspiring meeting her.
Who are some other music artists you would be interested in presenting them with your art?
I would like to show my work to all the people I have drawn in hopes it might inspire them the way they inspired me. There is no better feeling than giving back! I love to do commissioned pieces too, drawing random people who you know nothing about is quite refreshing.
To date what’s your most prized portrait you’ve done?
My sketch of Ice Cube, its one of the most detailed pieces I’ve done so far and the process of drawing it was amazing. I zoned out for about 2 days.
Do you have any plans of opening an art gallery?
I’m featuring my work in several shows in London over the Summer and I’m also opening my own studio in my hometown Reading so I’ve got loads to focus on at the moment. My own art gallery would be an amazing achievement for me – I definitely see it happinging in the future.
Both past & present who are some artists that have inspired you?
Kelvin Okafor has the most realistic portraits you will have ever laid eyes on, he constantly inspires me to remain as patient and intricate as possible. Chuck Close created amazingly huge scale portraits, it was my inspiration for the Tupac wall sketch.
Outside of art what other hidden talents you have that one might not know.
I can open a beer bottle using a napkin!
Interesting
Checkout some more of Delecia’s work on Instagram.
