Meet illustrator from Bangkok, Chanida Areewatanasombat aka Chubbynida

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello, my name is Chanida Areewatanasombat or you can call me Nida, a Bangkok-based illustrator. I went to study for my master’s degree at Kingston University of London from 2016 until 2017 in the major of illustration design. I lived there for a year and a half. When I returned to Thailand in 2018, I became a full-time illustrator who loves to produce illustration, animation, paper collage, paper sculpture, and embroidery. Mostly, my artworks are inspired by music, sound, movie, and personal experience. I love challenging myself by creating different styles and techniques of illustration. Recently, I am interested in psychology and art therapy.

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

Bangkok seems to gather the diversity of cultures and people around the country. Nowadays, many people tend to be interested in art and design more and more. So many young artists and illustrators would rather have the space to show their work further. It likely displays a variety of cultures and beliefs.

Bangkok seems to gather the diversity of cultures and people around the country. Nowadays, many people tend to be interested in art and design more and more. So many young artists and illustrators would rather have the space to show their work further. It likely displays a variety of cultures and beliefs.

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

The best thing about living in this city is the Thai food! We have a unique flavour and a lot of menu that represented the mix culture in our country. Moreover, I love staying with my family, friends and my lovely dog. The worst thing is that the weather in Thailand is extremely hot. Also, we got traffic jams mostly every day

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

Flashy, Dynamic and Dramatic

How did you start your career in art?

I had been working as an illustrator since 2012 while studying for my bachelor’s degree by creating an Instagram and Facebook page. I started by drawing portraits for customers including creating patterns and logo designs for online shops. I had learned so much from the beginning of being an illustrator before finishing my degree, especially on communication skills with customers and using all the experiences to develop myself.

I had been working as an illustrator since 2012 while studying for my bachelor’s degree by creating an Instagram and Facebook page. I started by drawing portraits for customers including creating patterns and logo designs for online shops. I had learned so much from the beginning of being an illustrator before finishing my degree, especially on communication skills with customers and using all the experiences to develop myself.

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

Definitely yes, my parents are supportive. They were noticing my artistic skills since I was a child, and they keep encouraging me until these days.

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

I would like to learn and experiment more about the techniques, tools and materials to create the artwork in a different form.

I would like to learn and experiment more about the techniques, tools and materials to create the artwork in a different form.

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

The name that always pops up in my head is David Hockney! I would like to learn the creative processes, ideas including producing the artwork greatly.

What are the biggest challenges you face in working as a creative?

In my opinion, the communication part is the challenging task of being an illustrator. Especially, when we need to present our idea to the customers or others because people have different images with one word. Therefore, it is a challenging part but I enjoy creating a way to communicate with others.

My mom, my sister, and my friends are strong, gentle, independent, and inspired.

How would you describe the women around you?

My mom, my sister, and my friends are strong, gentle, independent, and inspired.

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

Honestly, I don’t have anyone specific, but I do look up to any artwork and creative process of other artists. Probably, I enjoyed learning art from everything around and collected inspiration from here and there to develop my work.

We all have unique and different paths that couldn’t compare to anyone. Keep developing and experiencing any field of art that you are interested in and never stop to learn. I believe you will find the direction of yourself very soon.

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

We all have unique and different paths that couldn’t compare to anyone. Keep developing and experiencing any field of art that you are interested in and never stop to learn. I believe you will find the direction of yourself very soon.

What type of music do you like to listen to?

Bedroom Pop, Funk, Blues, Synth-pop, Jazz, Alternative, Soul and Indie pop

What’s your favorite local food spot?

My house 🙂

Julia Yellow asks: What do you do when you hit the artist-blocks and what do you do to prevent burn-outs?

Firstly, I will stop pushing or forcing myself and take a rest. And when I feel better, I will read some books or play musical instruments. After releasing the negative feeling, then I will return to do the creative process again.

YuoNing Chien asks: Where do you want to live in the future?

I would like to visit Wellington in New Zealand. I went to New Zealand to visit my brother once, but I still never have a chance to go to Wellington. So that might be the next city that I would like to spend time in there.

What question would you like us to ask the next artist?

What is your purpose of being an artist or illustrator?

Photos courtesy of Chubbynida