We were lucky to catch up with Ka Yee Ziebell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ka Yee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was in Hong Kong, I was working as an IT teaching fellow. I taught a computer science degree program in college. After I moved to the US, I tried looking for an IT related job or a teaching job. I got a couple interviews but they didn’t work out. I think it may be because I am not a native English speaker or my qualifications don’t match the US industries standards.

Drawing has always been my hobby. While I was looking for a job, I kept making art videos and vlogs at home. One day, I found my mother-in-law was painting rocks. She is not an artistic person but she still did a good job. She said it is a very relaxing activity and invited me to try.

So I tried to make a video painting a rock. I did a Darth Vader for my husband as a Valentines’ Day Gift and it amazed my mother-in-law. That’s also the first time my mother-in-law realized I am actually a talented artist not only a programming teacher.

She started sharing my work to her friends and asked me to help her work on some graphic design work. Slowly, my artwork was getting some attention. More and more people asked me to do commissions.

I also found that there are some art and craft markets in my local area. Surprisingly, I did well at my first market. So now I keep actively participating in different art markets. I enjoy that people here appreciate art and they love my art work. I didn’t know anybody here when I first moved to the US, And I never imagined that my art can help me connect with so many people and can help me earn a living. Art keeps helping me establish my new life here.

Now, my goal is to expand my art business and turn it into my full time job. So I can do what I love and enjoy my time with my family.

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 KaYee. I am a Kawaii Artist from Hong Kong, now living in Wisconsin US . I draw cute Japanese anime styled caricature. Simply speaking, I can turn you into an anime character! I also can draw any anime characters, you with your favorite character, and even you as the character.

I think it is very special and unique at least in my local area. I rarely see any artists who draw in Japanese anime style. Most of their artwork is in American hero comic style. Never see any cute chibi style which is what I am good at. But Japanese pop culture is actually very popular among teenager and kids. Even parents, they think about their kid when they see my artwork.

Also most artists who draw caricature, they only draw real people. They won’t draw anime characters. They also won’t draw people dressed up like a pirate in One Piece or Ninja in Naruto. And that’s how my artwork differs from others. I am here to make anime lovers dreams come true. They can be any anime character they want to be. They can fight together with their beloved anime characters or make their character do the weirdest pose in the world.

I also can bring families together. I can combine multiple pictures into one. So you can easily have your big family picture even though they are from different states, countries and even different times.

All in all, I love to draw people into my cutesy styles and put smiles on faces with my colorful artwork. :D

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Most people think that drawing is a talent. Artists are born as artists. They draw good naturally and it is easy for them. This is actually so wrong. Every artists first drawing is just like the drawing you did when you were a kid!! Nobody is good at drawing naturally.

We all work very very hard on sharpening our skills just like all professionals in any industry. When you buy artwork from an artist, you are not only buying the working hours and the art material used in the work. You are also buying thousands hours of researching, studying, practicing and experimenting. You are buying a piece of our heart and soul!! A moment of our life.

Sadly, most people (especially art thieves) won’t understand and appreciate our effort. They will just press right click on their mouse, save the pictures, print it out or even sell product with our artwork on it as their own merchandise.

Well, printing an artwork just took a moment but creating an artwork can take weeks or even months!! So when people seeing art thieves selling 2 stickers at 1 dollar and artist selling their 1 original designed sticker at 2 dollar, most people think the artist is overpriced. But it actually not. Again sadly, most non-creative people never understand. Art thieves get more sales, most artists starve.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love seeing kids bring their sketchbooks to me, showing their artwork and telling me they want to be an artist like me. That’s the most rewarding moment in my creative journey.

It also makes me happy to see people being excited when they purchase my artwork or when they are looking forward to get their caricature from me.

I also love meeting new people and friends in the art market.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayeedaily/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayeedaily
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendralo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/kayeedaily
• Other: Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaYeeDaily