What journey must one undertake to become an artist?
My path involved letting go of a master's degree in accounting, residing in a decrepit van in a parking lot for two and a half years, living a rootless life across three countries and nine different cities, and saying goodbye to my most cherished loved ones on three separate occasions.
Still, if given another choice, I would once again embrace the path of an Artist.
I am Sarah Weizhen Xu, a Concept Artist and Matte Painter with unique versatility and a strong foundation in traditional painting.
Over five years as a freelance Environment Artist and Key-Art Illustrator, I've sharpened my abilities to create AAA-quality artwork. My work consistently showcases a meticulous eye for detail and a broad understanding of diverse genres and styles. My experience in classical representational oil painting has ingrained a solid understanding of color, light, composition, and anatomy.
In addition, I excel in the end-to-end 3D production process. My proficiency covers everything from 3D high poly/low poly modeling and UV unwrapping to lighting/texturing and level design in Unreal Engine, as well as creating 2.5D/3D projections in Nuke.
Currently, I am on the brink of earning my Master of Digital Media (MDM) degree from the Centre for Digital Media at Simon Fraser University. As I prepare to transition into the professional realm, I am actively seeking opportunities to apply my unique talents in roles as an environment artist, concept artist, or digital matte painter.