We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nathalie Tran a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nathalie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I started contemplating an artistic path after wandering way too long not knowing what I wanted to do. I got my first iPad with the first pencil, I saw the Procreate application that I wanted to use, but having never drawn anything in my life that wasn’t a school assignment, I doubted I would render this small investment useful and profitable. Then, I got a baby and this changed the whole meaning in my life. I took the plunge and got online certificates and lessons (Coursera, Stackskills) to learn how to draw things I never would have guessed.
When the teachers show how it’s done, you think ‘wow it’s actually so easy, why didn’t I think of that ?’, but then you actually try and it’s really different 🤣 But that’s the whole fun of it ! That made me want to try more, see new things, and change my view on things. In a literal way, because every object I would see, I would only think ‘oh that’s where the light hits ! How would I draw that ?’ and so on.
That’s when you realize you’re actually passionate.
So the research becomes natural, you get to learn stuff just by looking at it or seeing someone else drawing it.
What’s actually the hardest thing, in my opinion, is deciding when to stop : there are too many art styles that are so cute and we’d like to master, too many techniques, too many lessons, to many niches, I actually want to try everything and it’s depressing at times because it makes you lose focus and self-confidence. This part I still haven’t managed yet 😅
I think, if I could do it all in a better way, I would like a better guidance, a better organization and a real teacher, but one that actually understands me and pushes me forward. I’m still happy I did it all myself but it’s true the world is wide and one can drown easily in the search. Especially in a modern virtual society where everyone tries to outshine someone else instead of just trying to be a better version of their own selves.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who don’t know me, meaning everyone, hi ! I’m Ninie (like ninny). I’m a 32 year old mother and wife, hard of hearing too, though I play the piano and sing my lungs off anytime I can. I’m normally awkward but in a good way (unless my jokes are too annoying), otherwise I would be too endearing, right ?
I’m a digital illustrator. I haven’t entirely decided on a specific tiny niche yet, however I do draw everything by hand on Procreate. I offer stickers, templates, planners and Procreate brushes. I remain in the principle of digital organization and as I can’t find anything customized because of my specific needs and taste, I realized that I would have to do everything myself. Thus, I do offer that service to everyone because I know how frustrating it is to almost find the perfect object, yet there’s still something wrong with it.
So, my focus would be unique customization for your organization. I still have so much to do, which is why I don’t have hundreds of products so far (I’m the only one drawing, and even though I’m ambidextrous, I still have just one pencil). Please bear with me until I become a superstar of the organization 😂
If you’d like to check it out, our website is www.njaeplume.com. My husband is currently still coding it from the ground up so you can’t order anything yet, but you can still browse and make an account, just in case. Otherwise, I’m easily found on social media @niniefydesigns (Instagram) and @niniefytutos (Youtube). I create videos to help people that aren’t already experts in drawing. It may not be much, nor an astounding style, but I’m always happy if I can help anyone.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s complicated because there are several rewarding aspects I consider equal. First, I’d say the way it changed me. I never drew before, I always stood in front of a blank page, not knowing what to draw because I thought I couldn’t draw. I lacked the creativity (and still do under pressure), and yet, I could be super imaginative and creative on spurs of the moment, out of nowhere. So realizing I can actually do it, at my own pace, and seeing the world completely differently now, when I look at anything, seeing how it’s made or built and trying to doodle that down to not forget it, is super rewarding. Even liberating. Of course, it’s hard not to compare to others and be demoralized by their talent and hard work, but I just remember that I didn’t have it in myself at first, I learned and I’m constantly still learning.
Second, it’s the people. While I may have a negative view of the world in general, and human beings (sorry, folks), I’m weirdly always open to meet new people. I still have hope, offer kindness and help, even when I’m taken advantage of -which is crazy, to say the least, but I had to learn the hard way. Well, sometimes, I do find great people. This makes us grow and happy. But what’s actually rewarding and amazing, is in this world of online hate and trolls just ‘for fun’, some strangers still manage to go out of their ways to thank me for my tutorials, saying it helped them, or I’m underrated. It means the world, really. It makes my day and helps me persevere, not give up.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Oh sure, like for absolutely everything in the world, people will have judgement. People will automatically believe they know your whole life, struggles, experiences, good or bad, better than yourself, consider their own life is better because it will give them pleasure to try and put you down. Otherwise they might realize that their life was not *that* superior and that would make them angry. The fact is, for non-creative people, the idea that success can only come from a ‘real’ job has been anchored since forever. It’s not easily shattered as a belief.
But in my opinion, most of the people want jobs that are actually creative. That’s how you’re famous or making money. It gives a dream job vibe. And I might add that there’s a sense of jealousy because creative people actually had to overcome fears that these people couldn’t, to achieve their goals and dreams. Which makes them stronger too, and dangerous in a way. If you can actually live your life doing what you love and being creative, it’s proof it’s possible despite taking risks most people don’t want to take. Fear leads to anger and jealousy, which make people attack.
However, having thought myself I was never creative (though never forget creativity is everywhere, not just painting), I never thought I had what it took to become creative. My message to non-creative people is : I don’t think you can actually be happy if you don’t try. Creativity is everywhere, you can’t live a life without it, in any form. Trying things and discovering you can actually do these, being proud of yourself, surviving the unknown, is extremely rewarding.
You don’t have to be mean, you don’t have to risk everything. You just need to open your mind and accept everything is possible. Surround yourself with supportive people. This will help tremendously to surpass yourself in every way, and not let yourself down if one thing didn’t work. It’s only failure if you give up.
Coming from me and my high number of fears, it’s almost hypocritical to tell you to try not to let yourself blocked by fears for the future, as hypothetical fears might never happen. Overthinking is a curse, really.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.njaeplume.com
• Instagram: Niniefydesigns
• Facebook: Nathalie Tran
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-tran-ink
• Youtube: Niniefytutos

Image Credits

All these photos are made by me, Nathalie Tran (aka Ninie).