We recently connected with Kai Chan and have shared our conversation below.

Kai, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am so glad and fortunate to be an artist. I did try working a few regular jobs, such as at a production house, but I quickly became bored and didn’t enjoy those typical roles. All the artwork and designs I created for the company belonged to them and were credited under their name, which made me feel frustrated since no one ever acknowledged my contributions. That’s why I decided to start my career as a freelance illustrator. Now, people know that the drawings, ideas, and works are mine.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Kai Chan gained her BFA illustration in London, after which she worked as a freelance commercial
illustrator in Hong Kong for over 10 years. Her clients have included Madame Figaro HK, Elle HK, SAVVY magazine in Japan, Christie’s Auction House, Cathay Pacific, L’Oréal, rOtring, Nina Hotel, and many more celebrated brands. Having recently gained her MFA in fine art in Los Angeles, she is focussed on different therapy projects, about the people-to-people connection and the relationship between nature and humanity while she advances her work on more community and healing-related projects.
When I was young, the only thing I cared about was creating art for myself. I drew for myself, using it as a way to release and express my emotions, tell my story, my history, and my concerns. After becoming a freelance illustrator, I started drawing for money. Now, while I still create for a living, I want to focus on doing something that allows me to give back to society and help people and the Earth

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think what you are doing is great and is helping many independent artists and businesses. You are providing a platform that allows us to showcase ourselves to the public and reach more people.

Thank you for having me for this interview. Putting myself out there is very important for my career, but it’s not easy for me because I don’t like exposing myself in unfamiliar spaces. However, more interviews help me explain my work better.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As a slasher, I work at a bookstore, as an office assistant, and in retail at the same time. Meanwhile, I’m also working on a few illustrations for myself.

Basically, I don’t have much of a social life as a slasher, but I love it. As a freelance illustrator, I don’t have a stable income, so I need to take on other part-time jobs to support myself. However, I still tell people that being an illustrator is my full-time job, and I always make it my top priority.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: kyliekai

Image Credits

I am working with the community by inviting people to participate in my drawings. I start with a black-and-white line drawing of their neighborhood on a giant wall—like a life-sized coloring book. I provide color pens, and people can color in my drawing, bringing their neighborhood to life.

I also create quick portrait drawings to capture the present moment, allowing people to cherish the time spent with their family and friends.