We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Caroline Truong. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Caroline below.
Caroline, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
The kindest moments that stand out is when creative peers show support. This has been done in all kinds of ways – small to big – things like giving advice on business or career, simply saying “looks good” about work I’ve made, on social media giving comments or sharing posts, or spending a few minutes to share a tip on using tool. It feels the kindest right now because I’m in a season where I’m shifting my art practice to fit my family life as a mom and wife. Receiving validation from artists who I respect and admire fills my cup and motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing. It shows that community is real and there are other artists who feel the same I do in supporting each other.
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 am a Vietnamese American artist based in Houston, Texas. I paint, draw, and live vicariously through a character called Dream Bird. I created Dream Bird as a reminder to live a creative lifestyle and to let your imagination go wild. Through the use of vibrant colors, floral bursts, and playful designs, my intent is to spread the joy, fun, and healing which art gives to me, to the world.
My artistic style is illustrative with subtle painterly qualities – stemming from my natural inclination to doodle and learning to draw from watching videos of Mark Kistler’s 3D drawing lessons. Currently, my artwork is themed around my hometown of Houston, my lifestyle as Asian American, imaginative flowers and uplifting messages.
I enjoy painting murals and participating in public art projects because of its accessibility – there are no tickets required to see it. It’s important to me because I wasn’t exposed to Artists or creative professionals until years after graduating college. It was through street art markets and public murals that I realized the value in artistry and its obtainability.
I got into painting murals through family and friends. My in-laws asked if I could paint a mural in their restaurant and so it began. The first mural I did made me feel like I wasn’t good enough because of how challenging it was and so I didn’t do another mural until a couple years later when a friend referred me to a mural commission. As I started getting hired for more murals, I realized how normal it is to suck at the beginning. It’s hard learning something new and the first time will always be the toughest and likely not my best work. After years of painting murals, I’ve accepted that my past work represents a moment in time of where I was in my life and art practice. My current work is my best work and my future work will be even better, because I get better if I’m continually focused on my skills and painting from my heart.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Engaging with the creative community and interacting with art has broadened my perspective of the world and people. I firmly believe humans are meant to create. We are artists through cooking, building, farming, developing, strategizing, writing, sewing, and the list can go on. I feel the most alive when I’m creating something. I keep painting and choose to share my art publicly to remind others to continue making, playing, and exploring. Your mind and heart will expand.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
The best advice I’ve received and continue to hear again and again is “paint what you want”. Sounds simple but for me it’s complex because that means completely letting go of others’ opinions which has been a struggle my entire life. I’m learning that bravery and confidence means sharing my own perspectives and opinions wholeheartedly, and standing firm in them even when many others may and will disagree.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carolinetruongart.com/
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/carolinetruongart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cntruong/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarolineTruongArt
Image Credits
Tony Moreno @Darkmode.Photo Alex Barber @visibleinlight