We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Britney Fan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Britney below.

Britney, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To be a successful artist, it starts with discovering what truly drives you—your unique passions and the things that inspire you most. When you tap into your emotions, experiences, and curiosities, your work becomes authentic and personal, setting you apart from others. It’s not about following trends, but about staying true to your vision and allowing it to evolve over time. As you develop your style, don’t be afraid to experiment and push boundaries—it’s through exploration that you’ll discover what resonates with you. For example, when creating my student thesis film at USC, I drew deeply from my own experiences, with my adopted cat being a major source of inspiration. I followed my instincts, using vibrant colors and influences from my favorite childhood artists, while adding quirky details inspired by my cat. The result was something I felt deeply proud of. The film was selected by the Dean of Cinematic Arts to represent my graduating class at commencement, and it premiered at several Oscar-qualifying festivals, earning “Best of Fest” awards. I believe that its success came from allowing my personal voice and passion to shine through in the project, which resonated with others and helped it stand out. Your work will naturally attract others who connect with your authenticity, so focus on creating art that excites you.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m an in-house artist at Louis Vuitton, specializing in design and hand-painting, where I bring clients’ stories and ideas to life through custom artwork on the brand’s hard-sided trunks. These one-of-a-kind, personalized pieces often become treasured family heirlooms or standalone works of art. It’s a high-pressure role with no room for error, requiring a blend of confidence and meticulous attention to detail as a painter. I regularly work on a diverse range of subjects, from portraits and animals to nature, cars, and whimsical themes, often experimenting with various styles. What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to adapt my designs to match each client’s vision. Whether it’s capturing a memorable trip to Paris or commemorating a wedding, I thrive on the challenge of turning their ideas into something tangible.

I’m also deeply inspired by visual storytelling and film, which is reflected in my award-winning short film, *“There Can Only Be One…”*. The energetic 2D animation, featured in Oscar-qualifying festivals, tells the story of a humorous and intense battle between a fiery cat and an equally spirited girl. Animation is a medium I cherish for its power to bring imagination to life, and I’m excited to continue exploring this creative path, sharing my short film with a broader audience.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

For me, it would definitely be making better use of the incredible teachers and faculty at USC (University of Southern California). They were such valuable resources, and in hindsight, I wish I had reached out for their guidance more often. If you’re lucky enough to have industry professionals and educators around to support your growth, don’t hesitate to take full advantage of their knowledge. I used to think professors were only there for their classes, but I realized too late that this mindset was holding me back. Building a mentor-like relationship with your professors is one of the most beneficial ways to learn at university. These relationships will more likely persist even after graduation and become a mentor/mentee relationship that can benefit young entry-level artists greatly. If you don’t have direct access to these individuals, there are still plenty of mentorship programs and networking opportunities that can connect you with people who can offer valuable advice and support.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn as an artist was the idea that everything I created had to be perfect. For a long time, I believed that each piece needed to be flawless, and it often left me overthinking and second-guessing myself. Eventually, I realized that imperfection can actually make art feel more real and expressive. Some of my favorite work came from moments where I let go of control or embraced mistakes. Learning to trust the process, instead of obsessing over the “perfect” outcome, has helped me feel freer and more authentic in my creativity. I was able to learn this by spending more time in my sketchbook than on a canvas, it allowed me to focus on ideas more than the perfected outcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://britneyfan622.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbybritneyfan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britney-fan/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/onlyone__film/