For our first interview of the 2025 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to CeCe Renee about cutesy art, how personal identity can differ from professional identity, early art shows, monthly art challenges, and art influences like video games and murder mysteries! Thanks, CeCe!
We like to know how people are connected to Delaware - are you a resident, born and raised? What brought you to Delaware Fun-A-Day (DEFAD)?
I’m from Maryland, born and raised, but Delaware has always been like a sister state to me.
Speaking of Maryland… You previously participated in the much-loved Cecil Con Art Show, which showcased works in themes of sci-fi, anime, fantasy, and gaming. Thinking back on that experience, do you find yourself drawn to certain types of art shows more than others? Are you especially inspired by exhibits rooted in pop culture or imaginative themes like those listed above —or do you find different kinds of shows open up new creative avenues for you in unexpected ways?
I actually usually prefer to go to more artisan events like festivals with a large variety of different types of art rather than the typical shows and galleries. I always enjoy conventions and pop culture events since it’s easier to find people to bond with over shared interests.
Speaking interests… do you have a favorite art theme or medium of art that particularly resonates with you? Are there any artists who’ve inspired your work or influenced your creative journey over the years? We’d love for you to share those sources of inspiration with the other participants!
I usually use alcohol markers, since that’s the medium I’m most comfortable with, but I enjoy painting with watercolor. It’s just so peaceful and looks so whimsical. I only do traditional artwork since I’m bad with both computers and change.
Has your personal identity influenced the evolution of your artwork over the years? If so, in what ways do you feel your experiences, background, or sense of self have shaped the themes, style, or direction of your creative journey?
My artwork is actually very different from my regular personality. I’ve always struggled with how to word it, but I feel like the best way to describe it is that I make the art I wanted to see. I loved the edginess of the majority of cartoons and anime I watched while growing up, but I always had a more cutesy art style. When I formed my art style things like pastel goth weren’t really common so I created what I wish I could have owned and displayed by my desk to inspire my work. This is also why I chose to go under a fake artist name for when I create, since CeCe Renee is such a different person from the real me and so different from what I usually create.
When preparing for an art challenge and show like Delaware Fun-A-Day, many artists have shared that one of the biggest hurdles is just deciding on the idea they want to pursue for their project. This year, when you registered, you had a handful of ideas you were considering, but hadn’t yet settled on one. What helped you make your final decision? What advice would you give other artists about how you navigated the process of narrowing down your ideas and selecting a direction for your piece?
The first struggle was that all of my ideas were too big, both figuratively and literally. I wanted to do characters in alcohol markers since that’s what I usually do, but I knew I would struggle with the size restrictions and the time limit. I instead focused on making the whole piece look like the art instead of the individual pieces. I started with the base, what would I use? I decided on a cork board since the art needs to be ready to hang. Then I asked myself what the board reminded me of and I settled on a detective board. Murder mysteries and forensics have always intrigued me and I thought it would be interesting to make pieces look different scraps of evidence. The advice I would give is do whatever it is that works with your personality and the show’s restrictions and have fun!
While exploring your Instagram page, we were struck by the rich cast of characters you've created—each with a unique flair, yet all sharing a cohesive artistic style that feels like they could inhabit the same vibrant universe. Have you ever considered expanding this world into a larger project, like a comic, graphic novel, or animation? If so, what draws you to the idea of developing these characters further, and how do you see them evolving within that medium?
I’ve actually been asked this many times and my answer is a really lackluster one. I don’t even name the majority of my characters. Most of the ones I create are for a one off image rather than an expanded original character. Now some of them are part of a deeper universe that I plan to expand upon. I have at least two comic ideas, but only a few of those characters have been posted (and not even within the context of the comic). I’ve made a few comics for just me and my friends and I do plan to write novels in the future, but I’d likely not make artwork for those since I feel my style doesn’t properly represent the style of my writing.
We’ve noticed you also take part in other monthly art challenges on social media, all of which are great ways to stay inspired and avoid burnout. Are there any you've especially enjoyed or found meaningful that you’d recommend to other participants?
I would recommend any monthly challenges. Goretober, Inktober, Huevember, even your own challenges that you make up the rules and themes to! I struggle to keep them consistent (which is why my Goretober day 31 was just posted in June) but I enjoy pushing myself to do them and I always try to commit. Better late than never!
Those are awesome challenges! Another one to consider for anime/manga enthusiasts in June is the #MahouShouJune #ArtChallenge to draw one magical girl a day.
Video games have become one of our nation's most beloved pastimes. Yet, few realize the immense amount of work that goes into developing a game—the artistry, storytelling, and technical mastery involved are truly remarkable. The visual aesthetics alone offer players an enlightening and immersive experience. In your journey as an artist, have there been particular video games or franchises that have inspired your creative direction or influenced the techniques you use in your workflow?
Absolutely! I love Nintendo games like the Super Mario, Fire Emblem, and Legend of Zelda franchises, but I’m also inspired by pop culture in general. Anime, cartoons, video games, comics, they all hold such a special place in my heart and I hope to reflect that in my work. I do have a particular interest in indie horror games like Ib, Fran Bow, Witch’s House, and the Cube Escape series.
You had your artwork exhibited at just 14 years old - what an incredible start to your creative journey! Looking back over your artistic timeline, we imagine you’ve got a rich archive of past work to reflect on. What lessons have you learned along the way that helped you grow your talents? And can you share a favorite piece from your teenage years, as well as something you’re proud of now?
Well my “professional” art journey started with the Cecil Con Art Show and then later when I entered the Cecil Con Artist Alley, but in more recent years I’ve designed banners and merchandise for the company that I work for, been the artist/animator for an instagram storytelling project and done many other personal goals, such as my own comic, monthly challenges and commissions for friends and family. I’ve learned a lot about anatomy and shading, but I definitely still need to work on environments and angles. What helped me grow was pushing it. I would find myself looking at certain artist’s work and thinking “I wish my art had this specific feature, but that doesn’t come naturally to me”. So I kept practicing and mashing all of my favorite things about other people’s styles while developing my own. Now I have a unique style that I’m proud of.
Where can people connect with you to learn more about what you do? Anything else you’d like to share or enlighten us with?
I would like to end the interview by saying that the art I post and the art I will be displaying is only a fraction of my creative ability. I chose to stick with specifically writing and drawing under this pseudonym, but I also cosplay, make jewelry and do many other creative works. I just prefer to streamline it all under CeCe Renee (Cotton Candy Ringmaster) on Instagram to make it more aesthetically pleasing. I don’t currently have commissions open or sell my art, but I would love to eventually make a zine or publish a comic.