BlueBean 蓝豆
Meet Malaysian illustrator, BlueBean 蓝豆.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am an illustrator and creator with a tiny soul and sensitive heart. I’m obsessed with the wild, the moon, and the stars. I love art, painting, and stories. I work for clients and also do personal projects and illustrations.
Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.
Kuala Lumpur is a home where the sun and rain are in constant extremes. Most people are in a hurry in this busy city so it is worth looking close at slow moments and enjoy. Inspiration is hidden everywhere! There are some strategies and hidden rules to survive here which could be tiring and liberating at the same time.
I’m obsessed with the wild, the moon, and the stars. I love art, painting, and stories.
What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?
Heaven of food and beautiful spots. Traffic always got space to improve.
Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.
Cactus, Rainbow, Neverland
How did you start your career in art?
I did start spreading random seeds during my childhood. I was doodling on papers, walls, and scratching drawings on my bed corners with nails (the bed is still there haha), attending some creative related activities and contests when I can barely see a tiny leaf pop out in there, wave at me and said like “hey you, make me grow, I could be fabulous”. My curiosity is getting stronger. I wanted to see what it will turn out and how it will last. I worked as a concept designer before I found my love for illustrations and stories. Drawing nature and creatures with tiny paws are my current main fun. They are always challenging yet it brings me comfort. I really love colors, yum yum! Orange, black, green, yellow… cadmium yellow or light chrome yellow.. or more. They never fail to inspire me. I am mostly influenced by my surroundings and sometimes I can get lost in nature. I also worked for books, fashion, music albums, games, and advertisements, and of course, not to mention my own brand and merchandise. You may think it’s so random but that’s what art is: defined and not defined. I like how my art gets involved in different ways and exceed the boundaries.
I like how my art gets involved in different ways and exceed the boundaries.
Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?
Most of the adults around me gave a lot of advice to persuade me to become what they want me to be and take other kinds of things. Yet I also got lovely people and siblings who were supportive. I guess time, experiences, and hard work will tell my story. I hope they feel happy and proud of what I do now. Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. That’s why I spend most of my time in my drawings.
What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?
I want to create something that will change and embrace the world, even for a little bit, before I have my last breath.
I want to create something that will change and embrace the world, even for a little bit, before I have my last breath.
If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?
How would you describe the women around you?
Humble but with a strong heart.
Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?
There are many. Usually, I don’t really focus on gender because work comes first. But if I know of someone’s gender I’ll be like “Ooh she is a talented and a pretty girl!”
Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?
Besides the struggle with the painful monthly period thing, I’m pretty grateful for how I am now. Though there is always a good and a bad side, just like how black and white will turn into a beautiful grey.
I usually don’t speak the word ‘YOLO’ because it sounds a bit funny but it’s soo true, You Only Live Once.
Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?
If you find something you like to do or want to try, just give it a go and put nice efforts into it. I usually don’t speak the word ‘YOLO’ because it sounds a bit funny but it’s soo true, You Only Live Once.
Photos courtesy of BlueBean 蓝豆.
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Category:
MalaysiaDate:
December 3, 2019