Meet illustrator from Kuala Lumpur, Kazel Lim.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a traditional artist born and raised in Kuala Lumpur. I graduated in Digital Illustration, only to swap the keyboard for canvas and paper after I discovered that I express myself better through watercolor and acrylics. My favourite painting subject is humans.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Kuala Lumpur is a prosperous and crowded city, but for me, life here is slow and contemplative compared to other dynamic countries in Asia such as Singapore, Japan, or Korea. The environment doesn’t really make me want to push myself harder, so I have to motivate myself to improve and move further. Unrelated subject, the food here in Kuala Lumpur is really great.

The environment doesn’t really make me want to push myself harder, so I have to motivate myself to improve and move further.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

Best: Delicious food.

Worst: The Traffic.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Passionate, Flexible, and Undervalued.

How did you start your career in art?

I’ve always liked drawing ever since I was young, I remember being attracted to comics and graphic books back then, and I tried to draw the characters on the blank pages of those comics. After I graduated from my art academy, I decided not to work for any companies as their full-time, all I wanted to do was to draw for myself. So I posted my art on social media and tried to join as much art conventions as I can to promote myself. It has been 5 years since I started doing all of these.

After I graduated from my art academy, I decided not to work for any companies as their full-time, all I wanted to do was to draw for myself. So I posted my art on social media and tried to join as much art conventions as I can to promote myself.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

I am really lucky that my family is really supportive of what I do. Even though I had zero income during the first year, they still encouraged me to pursue my dream. My mom and sisters even help me out during my art conventions and events. When I became a professional event artist, my family felt proud of me.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

I wish to paint a series of paintings that can reflect how I feel about this society and hold exhibitions around the world. That would be my life goal.

I wish to paint a series of paintings that can reflect how I feel about this society and hold exhibitions around the world. That would be my life goal.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

I would really love to collaborate with LittleThunder and Heikala, they always were my biggest inspiration.

How would you describe the women around you?

They are caring, strong, kind-hearted and independent.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Sadly none, and I think one of the reasons is because the art environment here isn’t really supported and developed, not many people here really appreciate art as well.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

Nothing too difficult compared to other industries. If you can make good art, I think everyone will respect and like you regardless of your gender.

Practice makes perfect and don’t give up easily, this is the quote that I tell myself every day when I wake up and before I sleep.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Photos courtesy of Kazel Lim.