We were lucky to catch up with Afton Lin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Afton thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you have an agent or someone (or a team) that helps you secure opportunities and compensation for your creative work? How did they meet you, why did you decide to work with them, why do you think they decided to work with you?
During the pandemic, being at home gave me a lot of time to think about life and how I never pursued my interests in modeling and acting. So, one day I decided to change that and googled local talent agencies in the area. I had a meeting with one that looked prolific and promising. They said that they loved my look and to be signed, I had to take their classes. I wanted to invest in my future so I paid the 1.3k and took the 10-week course. Though there was value in learning how to runway walk and getting to meet with the local casting director, I realized that the agency was not going to work because they were not completely honest with their business practices and because we had different goals. While looking for a new avenue toward my goal of getting an agent, I saw that one of my friends was signed with ExposureKC and was getting booked for lots of jobs. She gave me their email, I submitted, and after a month I was signed! It’s been amazing to work with them and since signing in early 2021, I have done jobs with companies like Ford, Wendy’s, Intel, Microsoft, Hallmark, Dairy Queen, and many more. Getting signed with an agent was more accessible than I first thought and I’m extremely grateful for the wonderful opportunities that they provide.
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?
Yeah for sure! I’m Afton, an illustrator, filmmaker, model + talent, and overall creative currently based in Kansas City, Missouri. I got into the art world because I loved fashion and drawing as a kid. My parents are divorced, and on mornings when my Dad would take me to my Mom’s house at 5am before his job, I’d have lots of time by myself to watch Disney Jr and draw outfits in my Fashion Angel’s books. Growing up, I always thought I’d go into the medical field since both my parents are nurses, however, once I was in 8th grade and began exploring that path I realized that I wanted to pursue my true love of art instead. So, I applied to a bunch of art schools and decided to attend the Kansas City Art Institute for its relation to home and its amazing illustration department. Having just graduated is honestly a strange time of figuring out what exactly I want to do while still trying to become established in my work. So, I’m currently participating in two media and production internships, doing modeling + acting jobs, creating content for my Youtube channel and Instagram, and developing my visual storytelling skills. I see my illustrative work as interdisciplinary and far-reaching because I apply it to many mediums such as ceramics, fiber, fashion, and filmmaking (and illustration, of course)! This next year I am taking a moment to take a breath after 16 years of constant education while pushing myself to unapologetically explore the many avenues a creative life offers.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yeah! My first goal is to figure out how to create a strong artistic practice where I can feel confident in my creative voice. Even after four years of art school and many years of exploring before that, it still feels strange to fully own up to the identity of an artist when I’m still figuring things out. My other art goals include; publishing a graphic novel, creatively directing an indie film, making more illustrative ceramics, crafting eye-catching clothing, and overall thriving as a creative. As an Asian artist, I also wish to uplift the AAPI community through my work and support!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
The first and most important thing is for society to recognize the arts as genuinely crucial for a community’s growth and happiness. Art and creativity reside in every movie, game, song, article of clothing, book, furniture piece, etc. that fills our daily lives. Art is how we commentate on culture, learn about the past, and invent the future. Providing funding for visual and performing art programs as well as integrating more classes on creativity will ensure that current and upcoming artists have the support that they need. Getting to know your local art scene, attending events, chatting with makers, and telling your friends about artists that you like is also a great way to show support! I’m lucky to have supportive parents, however at times when I talk to other people in my life they tell me, “you won’t make money as an artist”, “you’ll end up being depressed” and “you should get a real job to ensure security”. These comments come from the concerns by peers that artists are pursuing a fruitless and penniless path, however, these feelings of fear would stop if society began integrating the idea of STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – instead of STEM into education. It’s essential to recognize arts and creativity as being on the same level as science and technology because creativity is what leads to innovation. And in the end, art is the spice of life and so we must cultivate it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aftonlin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affydraws/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aftonlin