SEAN CHAO

Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Sean Chao now finds home in Los Angeles. In 2007, Chao graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA, with a BFA in Illustration. He learned how to create in a variety of mediums, from drawing to painting to sculpture. He found that he liked making art with his hands.

Chao creates his miniature sculptures in a small studio with Sculpey (a type of polymer clay), bass wood, balsa wood, paper, wire, and painstaking precision. He creates a delicate balance in his sculptures by showing enough detail to illicit amazement and yet enough imperfection to reveal that they’re lovingly handmade.

Nature is a recurring theme in Chao’s work. He often depicts dense forests filled with plants, animals, and insects. He’s also portrayed ocean scenes and even space scenes. He creates a lot of movement in every scene so that each one feels like a moment frozen in time. Watching people view Chao’s artwork, you can’t help but notice their looks of awe as they pore over all the minute details and then their smiles as they walk away. So his intention with his artwork to offer a bit of joy to people seems to be working. Art that tries to change the world - even in a small way—may not be so simplistic after all.

-bio from Sean Chao's website

"Fruit for Thought" by Sean Chao. Image courtesy of artist.

Chao is one of the participating artists for the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition (April 6 - June 3) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 23rd Annual Asian American Showcase, 2018. We asked him a few questions about his work and artistic practice!

Does your identity or personal story inform your work? Who/what inspires you?

I like to create art based on my personal experiences and things happening around me or my friends. Nature is one of my favorite subjects so I tried to go out and explore as much as I can.

How has technology affected your creative process? Does this affect how you view or choose to interact with the world?

Technology is not essential during the creating process of my works. I basically built them very low tech with my hands. However computer definitely makes research and brainstorming process easy.
I think technology brought everyone closer to each other and the world became smaller by it. It’s not necessarily a bad thing though.

"Nunu" by Sean Chao. Image courtesy of artist.

How do you think digital formats impact your field and your audience?

When people see art on digital formats most of the time are in front of a computer or phone on Instagram. It’s faster to reach out to the audiences but digital images can never translate perfectly for three dimensional sculpture. Seeing them in person always will have a stronger impact.

"Giant Robot Cat" by Sean Chao. Image courtesy of artist.

What do you think about AI?

I think AI is ok, as long as it doesn’t think human is a threat to ourselves and wipe us out like in a Hollywood movie.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently traveling in Japan but I will be creating new works for a group show at gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California.

"Float On" by Sean Chao. Image courtesy of artist.

See more of Sean Chao's work on www.seanchao.com // Instagram @seanchaochao // Facebook seanchaoart // Join us at the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition running Friday, April 6, 2018 - June 3, 2018.

Artist Interview // RACHEL WADA

Rachel Wada is a Japanese-Chinese illustrator from Vancouver, BC. She currently splits her time between freelance work and as the Art Director at the Capilano Courier. For the past couple years, she has worked on a variety of illustration projects from editorial pieces for newspapers and magazines, public art installations to private commissions. She has a soft spot for texture, which is apparent in her illustrative work. Her current obsession is with silkscreen printing; a medium that she would love to keep experimenting with in the future.

Image courtesy of artist.

Wada is one of the participating artists for the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition (April 6 - June 3) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 23rd Annual Asian American Showcase which runs April 6 through April 18th, 2018. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

1. Does your identity or personal story inform your work? Who/what inspires you?

Yes, I believe that my identity strongly informs who I am and the work I create. I’ve gotten comments in the past about how my work looks ‘Asian’ or ‘Asian Inspired’. Though it is not always deliberate, my Japanese-Cantonese heritage is a strong part of who I am, so it comes as no surprise when people see that in my work. Having immigrated to Canada at a young age, I went through a phase of wanting to reconnect back to my roots. This led me to be inspired by artwork from both my Japanese and Chinese roots; from ukiyo-e paintings, ornate Chinese pottery, classical scroll painting, Buddhist sculptures, and so forth. I really started to develop my artistic voice through this process, translating and reiterating what inspires me into my own personal visual language.

From the series "To Otherness" by Rachel Wada. Image courtesy of artist.

2. How has technology affected your creative process? Does this affect how you view or choose to interact with the world?

Technology has a huge impact on my creative process and my interaction with the world. Technology for me provides convenience, and efficiency. My Apple computer, Adobe Creative Suite, Wacom Tablet, and scanner and have now become quintessential to the way I work. Over time, I have developed an illustrative style and working process where traditional and digital mediums go hand in hand. Interaction with clients and art directors have almost strictly been digitally, whether it be via e-mails, DM’s or Skype. It’s wonderful how we’re able to interact and collaborate with creatives around the world, it is truly a blessing.

3. How do you think digital formats impact your field and your audience?

I honestly have the internet and social media to thank for where my artistic career has taken me. This digital platform allows up and coming illustrators like myself to showcase their creations to a wide online audience. The success of social media apps like Instagram and its very nature has definitely made everyone more savvy and conscience of their online persona. I think it’s natural to question the amounts of likes on a post, but this shouldn’t define it in terms of taste or validation. It’s becoming almost commonplace to commodify these numbers as definite, when an element of it can be arbitrary. ‘Greatest amount of likes’ doesn’t always mean greatest piece of work. I always like to keep in mind how important that is, as both a viewer and a content creator, to not let the ‘likes’ and numbers get to my head. But I definitely have the underlying hope that my presence online will cross oceans to potential exciting new clients and friends.

4. What do you think about AI?

It’s scary, but cool. I think technology is always redefining art in strange, new ways. The emergence of new technology has been providing artists with new ways to express themselves for a very long time. So perhaps AI technology is a new possibility for new and innovative works of art.

5. What are you working on right now?

I am currently finalizing negotiations for a picture book deal with a local Vancouver publication. This is going to be my first picture book illustration gig so I am beyond stoked!

"Two Handed Cloud" by Rachel Wada. Image courtesy of artist.

See more of Rachel Wada's work on www.rachelwada.com // Instagram @rachelwada // Join us at the ON/OFF Grid art exhibition running Friday, April 6, 2018 - June 3, 2018.

ON/OFF Grid // An Art Show OPENING at the Gene Siskel Film Center

Accompanying the release of this year's 23rd Asian American Showcase, we are hosting a group show "ON/OFF Grid" at the Gene Siskel Film Center. To celebrate the diversity of the Asian diaspora and Asian America, we invited artists from a few different disciplines to share their process and work reflecting on technology and its many impacts on humanity and our world.

The show opens the same night as our opening film Fish Bones. Come join us, arrive early if you need to snag your tickets from the box office and scope out the art before the show! We'll also be having a Pop Up Market featuring prints and other wares by the participating artists.

ON/OFF Grid Art Show
Opening
Friday, April 6 2018
6pm - 8pm

at the Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State St.
Chicago, IL

Artist Interview // JULIA KUO

Julia Kuo is a Taiwanese-American illustrator. She currently works out of Chicago for most of the year and Taiwan in the winter. Julia illustrates children's books as well as editorial pieces for newspapers and magazines. Her clients include Science Friday, the New York Times, Hachette Books, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan Publishing. When she's not drawing, you might find her running around in a national park and looking at moss.

-Does your identity or how you identify yourself inform your work in any way?

Yes! It’s only natural to draw things that reflect who I am, or what I’m obsessing over at the moment. Sometimes it’s very deliberate. I'm a second generation Taiwanese-American female, and I remember deciding right out of school that I would draw medium-skinned, dark-haired females into my projects whenever possible.

Other times, the manifestation has been more tenuous. Recently I’ve gotten a few comments about my work resembling Japanese woodcuts. I’ve never intentionally modeled my work after Japanese art, but I grew up surrounded by different types of classic Asian art and still admire Hokusai and Hiroshige’s landscapes. I guess I can’t deny that connection, but it makes me wonder.

-When making your work, do you have certain expectations or do you aim for a specific reaction in your audience and the viewer? (Do you care about how the message of your work is received?)

As an illustrator, I care that my images are received in a way that’s appropriate to the content. Lately, I’ve been into creating images that share my love for the outdoors - so I’ve been working with clients that are also looking for the same mix of discovery and education!

-Does art serve a purpose for you outside of just beauty or aesthetics?

When I first started out, I was drawing cute and pretty greeting cards. I was surrounded by friends who were going through med school, working at non-profits, and just about any other job that would make the world a better place. It made me really think about how I could do something more meaningful with illustration. In the 8 years since, I’ve come to a place where I can say that my work has purpose and meaning. But thankfully it doesn't mean that the prettiness has to go away! I've also realized that greeting cards help people, too =)

-How do current events affect your practice?

I recently wrote and illustrated a story on an event involving bison in Canada. My agenda has been to make art that shares my love for the environment, whether it’s about a current event or my own personal experience. By encouraging people to find personal connections to natural places, my hope is that they’ll act to protect them via ways that best suit their careers and abilities. This bison story is part of a larger group of stories about my artist residency in Banff National Park at meetusinthewoods.com.

Julia Kuo's sketchbook. (Image courtesy of artist)

-Do you feel you are more reactive or more reflective when you create?

Maybe reflective, but most likely neither? If anything I’m pretty slow and deliberate; I have probably already reacted and reflected long before I’m ready to publish something for everyone to see.

Artist Feature // TERRY YANG

"Born in 1992 at Los Angeles, California, Terry Yang earned her BFA in Illustration from the Art Center College of Design. Her paintings feature hidden figures displaying journalism, masculinity in femininity, and hidden meanings. Her figures hide human expressions; barely showing face. Only using body language mixed with environmental awareness. Inspired by Korean and Western folk, it creates subtle behaviors: trends, beliefs, and backstage problems." - Artist bio

Terry Yang is a Los Angeles based illustrator. She is one of the participating artists for the Fierce Tidings art exhibition (March 31 - May 12) at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 22nd Annual Asian American Showcase which runs March 31st through April 12th, 2017.

"School Zone" by Terry Yang. (Image courtesy of artist)

Page from Yang's sketchbook. (Image courtesy of artist)

See more of Terry Yang's work on www.terryang.com // Instagram @bafiayang // Join us at the Fierce Tidings art exhibition running Friday, March 31, 2017 - May 12, 2017.

Artist Interview // KATIE SO

Katie So is an illustrator and tattooer from Vancouver, BC. After graduating from graphic design school, Katie found her place in small press comics, through which she has had the opportunity to exhibit her work around the world. From there, she honed her illustration style to the recognizable brush and ink work she is known for. For the past two years, Katie has applied her illustrative style to tattooing and is currently a resident artist at Black Medicine Tattoo in Vancouver. Whatever medium she is expressing herself in, Katie's work retains a sense of dark introspection and humour.

So is one of the artists in the Fierce Tidings art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 22nd Annual Asian American Showcase which runs March 31st through April 12th, 2017. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic practice!

from "Dirty Knees" group show, by Katie So. Image courtesy of artist.

-Does your identity or how you identify yourself inform your work in any way?

I’ve been told that my work involves asian subjects or themes with a European storybook application. That’s not something I consciously considered when approaching my work, but my mixed background has clearly seeped into my work whether I’m aware of it or not. I also identify as female, and definitely celebrate the feminine and female form in my work, whether portraying it in a sensual or sinister way. I think the female psyche embodies both those things, and I try and celebrate that.

Comic from "Dirty Knees" exhibit. Image courtesy of artist.

-When making your work, do you have certain expectations or do you aim for a specific reaction in your audience and the viewer? (Do you care about how the message of your work is received?)

I generally have something to saywith the work I put out there, but I don’t like to display my intent directly along side it because what has personal meaning to me, might (probably does) mean something else to another person. I’ve always been fascinated and motivated by the viewers’ own interpretations. What someone takes away from my art is never incorrect, and often those revelations end up being different than what I would have thought which is so interesting. Sometimes, it takes someone else’s viewpoint to really solidify what I was trying to say with a piece, which is why art is so important to me.

-Does art serve a purpose for you outside of just beauty or aesthetics?

I’ve used art as a therapeutic process, which begins when I’m creating the piece and continues through to sharing and discussing it with my peers and my audience. I’ve learned a lot through the dialogue my art has started about racial identity and mental health issues. It’s easy to think that you’re the only one processing the complexity of these issues, but I’ve found that the artwork I’ve created has helped me and people who enjoy my art feel a little less secluded.

"Inner Tempest" Image courtesy of artist.

-How do current events affect your practice?

Current events are very overwhelming. I’m overwhelmed most of the time! If anything, I’ve felt more comfortable discussing the issues that inform my work because race inequality and the stigma of mental health aren't issues to be quiet about anymore. Hopefully, we can talk about and discuss these issues more openly.

from "Attempts at Positivity" Image courtesy of artist.

-Do you feel you are more reactive or more reflective when you create?

Definitely reflective. I struggle with depression and personal identity and art can help to articulate the way I’m feeling, whether thats to myself or to my audience.

See more of Katie So's work on katie.so // Instagram @ghostmeadow // Tumblr http://katieso.tumblr.com/ // Katie's Tattoo tumblr https://katiethebaby.tumblr.com/ // Join us at the Fierce Tidings art exhibition opening Friday, March 31, 2017.

FIERCE TIDINGS: On Rage and Hope // An Art Show OPENING at the Gene Siskel Film Center

Accompanying the release of this year's 22nd Asian American Showcase, we are hosting a group show "Fierce Tidings: On Rage and Hope" at the Gene Siskel Film Center. To celebrate the diversity of the Asian diaspora and Asian America, we invited artists from a few different disciplines to share their process and work as a response to or a reflection on recent and current events globally and locally.

The show opens the same night as our first film The Tiger Hunter. Come join us, arrive early if you need to snag your tickets from the box office and scope out the art before the show! We'll also be having a Pop Up Market featuring prints and other wares by the participating artists.

Fierce Tidings Art Show
Friday, March 31 2017
6pm - 8pm

at the Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State St.
Chicago, IL

Journey-scapes Art Pop Up Market ACT II // APR 9, 5PM

Back by popular demand! Join us for the SECOND ACT of Journey-scapes Artist Pop-up Market this Saturday April 9, 2016 starting 5pm before and after the screening for MELE MURALS (Mele Murals - Documentary), a film about the Hawaiian art scene and the influence of ancient traditions on graffiti art! Be sure to come visit the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and stay for both!

Participating Journey-scapes artists will be offering wares such as jewelry, prints, art, pins, zines, comics, and more!

Artist Interview // KONSTANTIN STESHENKO

Konstantin Steshenko studied animation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada. His first film "Wind & Tree" won Best Canadian Student Short at the Ottawa International Animation Festival 2013. Konstantin currently resides in Los Angeles and eats so many cookies that he feels guilty enough to write about it in his bio.

Konstantin Steshenko is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked him a few questions about his work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

The natural world is unceasingly surprising and if I can impart a small fraction of its wonder I will feel like I have been successful. I am indebted to Ursula K. Le Guin, Haruki Murakami, and Hayao Miyazaki for their work and inspiration.

Eliza, webcomic. Images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

A webcomic about a guru I met on my travels through South East Asia and the future he foretold.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

I’ve been an artist ever since I can remember and love experimenting in different mediums, from animation and comics to writing and illustration. With every new project I seek to challenge myself with a new style and aesthetic that will best represent the idea I want to see born into the world.

See more of Konstantin Steshenko’s comics on http://www.konstantinsteshenko.com // konstantinsteshenko.tumblr.com // Instagram @steshenkon // Twitter @KonSteshenko // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // TIFFANY LE

Tiffany Le is a Vietnamese-American freelance illustrator based in Southern California. She investigate themes of cultural legacy, comparative mythology and literature, and social topics through the Asian American lens.

Tiffany Le is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Many things inspire me, and it's difficult to categorize--friends, family, literature, mythos, social topics, etc., but if I had to narrow it down to an overall encompassing factor, I'd call it a desire for narrative. Communication and understanding has been a driving motivator in my art, when I find words lacking to convey that.

Tragic Waters series, images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

I'm currently working towards my thesis grad show for my MFA at CSU Long Beach. By documenting my family's stories, Tàu explores Vietnamese-American cultural history and refugee struggles through the metaphorical depiction of boat and water imagery.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

Constantly evolving--I feel that in our craft, mastery is not truly a thing, but it's something we strive towards to mean continually progressing and changing. So, it still feels like I'm bouncing around, trying new things, and collecting skill sets that work for me.

See more of Tiffany Le’s work on www.letealeaf.com/projects // Instagram @letealeaf // www.facebook.com/letealeaf // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Journey-scapes POP UP SHOP! // APRIL 2nd, 6PM

Come out to the GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER (164 North State Street, downtown Chicago) for the Journey-scapes pop-up market before the Saturday, April 2nd TYRUS screening! Participating artists of the show will be offering prints, jewelry, pins, cards, zines and more!

Artist Interview // YUMI SAKUGAWA

Yumi Sakugawa is an Ignatz Awards nominated comic book artist. A graduate from the fine art program of University of California, Los Angeles, she lives in Los Angeles. Her comics have also appeared in The Believer, Bitch, the Best American NonRequired Reading 2014, The Rumpus, Folio, Fjords Review, and other publications.

Yumi Sakugawa is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Yoko Ono, Bjork, Frida Kahlo, Tavi Gevinson, Kim Chi, Aimee Bender, Miranda July, Haruki Murakami. Astrology, intense conversations with girlfriends, meditation, aimless walks in downtown Los Angeles, museums, outrageous fashion, coffee, the lunar cycle.

What are you working on right now?

I am in the midst of completing a fully illustrated, DIY lifestyle guide to young women that should be coming out in bookstores next year. I am also working on a multimedia installation that will be on display at the Smithsonian for a 3-day pop-up art event in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month. Also, a few secret projects involving the singularity, the creative process, toxic female friendships and cults.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

I feel like my artistic journey truly began on a deeper level when I discovered meditation and mindfulness practice eight years ago. Mindfulness is about embracing the present moment and celebrating what is now, who you are now. Every year is distilling myself into a more concentrated version of my true authentic spirit. Every year I am delighted and surprised by the new layers I keep discovering within myself, and the new voices I get to share with the world. The more I discover new things about myself, the more attuned I feel to a higher wisdom that is guiding me along where I need to be right here and right now.

See more of Yumi Sakugawa’s comics on www.yumisakugawa.com and acrosstheyumiverse.tumblr.com // Instagram & Twitter @yumisakugawa // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // SITJI CHOU

Sitji Chou is a lethargic cat trapped in a human meat body. He survives as a freelance animator in Vancouver, Canada. He is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked him a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

People watching inspires me a lot. I daydream a lot about where strangers are going, what they are doing and thinking, and about their past. That's usually the starting point but it deviates pretty quickly into a mess of nonsense.

What are you working on right now?

I just came back from a long trip, so I'm still in the pitching phase for a few freelance projects. There's a couple I'm pretty excited about but I don't want to jinx myself!

How would you describe your artistic journey?

My artistic journey definitely has had it's ups and downs. So much of the art I make depends on my frame of mind and I'm lucky that the stars have aligned enough times for me to make a career of it.

See more of Sitji Chou’s work on sitji.com // Instagram @sitjichou // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // AGNES MA

Agnes Ma is a multidisciplinary artist whose prior background in biology is subtly interwoven in her chosen media of sculpture, metalwork, and jewelry. In her everyday life, she observes and collects forms in nature. Through this process, she is better able to appreciate and understand her environment.

Agnes is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016.

We sat down with Agnes at her studio in DeKalb to ask her a bit about her work and artistic journey! Check out her video interview below:

See more of Agnes Ma’s work on her website w ww.agnesma.com // Instagram @i_am_agnesma // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS

Behind LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS is Fin Lee, a queer Korean American artist, illustrator, maker, and a proud Aquarius. They create abstract visceral formations, patterns, textiles, and affirmations with themes that surround their identity. Most recently, they completed a year long project posted on Instagram every day on 2015. View this work through the hashtag #365yokoonoillustratedtweets and @lostboyillustrations.

LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked them a few questions about their work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS: I'm continually inspired by the strong community of queer & POC folks. I think it is essential that more and more people speak out about their differences to create more visibility of often times marginalized communities. I am inspired by outspoken women who refuse to stay silent. I am inspired by people who continue to wake up every morning when they are paralyzed with mental illnesses. I am inspired by those who never give up and use their creativity as an outlet.

What are you working on right now?

LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS: The pieces I am working on for the show is a direct translation and interpretation of my mother's immigration story to the states in 1974 from South Korea. I am honored and thrilled to be illustrating her own words and feel truly proud of her strength and courage to write her own narrative.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

LOSTBOY ILLUSTRATIONS: That's exactly what it is... a journey. I've always created art and illustrations but for about 3 years I stopped. I'm so glad I picked up my pen again. I have recently started to make more consistent work and even got the opportunity to draw on Lady Gaga's dancer's costumes at the Grammys this year. My work has elevated itself from beyond the paper and I'm excited to see how my visceral line work continues to change using different canvases (ie: set designs, costumes, murals, etc).

See more of their work on w ww.lostboyillustrations.com // Instagram @lostboyillustrations // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // JACE JUNGGYU KIM

Jace Junggyu Kim is a Canadian painter currently based in Vancouver, BC. His career started off as an animator but his enduring passion is for traditional painting. His painting on canvas arises from the meeting and combination of various artistic materials; oil, acrylic, ink, spray paint and others. He posts daily sketches on instagram at @jacethekim.

Jace is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked him a few questions about his work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Jace Junggyu Kim: I get inspired by everything around me to everything inside of me. My paintings work as a bridge between the reality and the subconscious. I often get anxious to paint my raw emotions and like seeing them personified by my brush strokes.

Dali with Magnolias, images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

Jace Junggyu Kim: I am currently working on a commission painting for my client. The work is called 'Midas' lips'. I have sold the original and the client requested me to paint the same so I am struggling to recall the particular emotions and the brush strokes. The expression is different every time and really hard to capture the same vibe with it.

Daily instagram sketches, images courtesy of the artist.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

Jace Junggyu Kim: I have a major in animation. Coming from a such commercial art field provided me a tool to express. The contrast between working for companies and painting for myself really liberates myself from being constrained and limited. As much as I ran all the way around to do what I can truly enjoy doing, I acknowledged what it means to be working as a painter/visual artist. The effort and sacrifices I had to make to be where I am, are the reason why I do what I do now. I am not at my final destination and will not be there anyways since the journey is spontaneously continuous.

I Am Sorry Mom, images courtesy of the artist.

See more of Jace Junggyu Kim’s work on www.behance.net/apologies // Instagram @jacethekim // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // PRISCILLA YU

Priscilla Yu is a multi-disciplinary artist and illustrator based in Vancouver, BC Canada. Her work is a combination of visually-learned geometry and perspective, intuitive colour decisions, and personal narratives.

Priscilla Yu is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked her a few questions about her work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

Priscilla Yu: I'm inspired by a lot. I'm inspired by nature; the geometry, the beauty, and the systems within it, and I'm inspired by other creative people. I'm inspired by all the artists, illustrators, designers, musicians, and actors around me who are also pursuing their craft.

Treasure Hunt, images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

Priscilla Yu: For a long time, people were always telling me that my paintings would look good on clothing, or that I should do something involved with fashion. So right now, I am working on a personal project, creating a series of clothing inspired by a series of of paintings. Each piece of clothing will be inspired by an aspect from the world within the paintings. I'm still at the experimenting stage with producing these items. I've been experimenting with dye-sublimation printing on polyester. It's kind of fun making the kind of clothing that the beings in my paintings wear, for actual people.

Glass Castle and the Obelisk Storm, images courtesy of the artist.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

Priscilla Yu: My artistic journey has been simultaneously thrilling, satisfying, and bumpy. It's always been really exciting to see what can come out of my brain and onto paper or canvas. I love experiencing that magic of feeling creativity and getting lost in a piece. My art has also connected me to a lot of people whom I love. I also love the learning involved in each project that I do.

On the other hand, I also experience 'impostor syndrome' from time to time. This is where there's this sense of self-doubt, where I feel like, "I'm a fake artist. Do people know that? People are giving me actual money for my thoughts and creativity?" It's super funny, and I'm getting better at not letting that get too out of hand and make me anxious. Overall, my artist journey has been very enriching.

See more of Priscilla Yu’s work on her website www.priscillayu.ca/ // Instagram @brickgirl.yu // Tumblr at priscillayuart.tumblr.com // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Artist Interview // EILEEN TJAN

Eileen Tjan is an award-winning art director and multi-disciplinary graphic designer. Based in Chicago, her studio practice OTHER bridges international aesthetics to deliver progressive design and branding services.