Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Beibei Champagne. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Beibei thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I’ve always loved drawing since when I was a kid. Growing up, my teachers and classmates noticed, I had an affinity for art. Due to this, my drawings were always used to decorate the classroom and I was always asked to help with other art related projects. I dreamed about having my own design firm in middle school, and also being an animator at Disney. Due to the rigid education system in China, I was unable to pursue this goal. The high school I went to did not have an art program at it, therefore I could not pursue art in college.
Following my undergraduate studies in Biomedical Engineering, I decided to take a different career path, by pursuing a masters degree in film production. During this time, I realized that I still loved drawing, despite not drawing for nearly a decade. As I was preparing to graduate I was diagnosed with leukemia, and had to undergo vigorous treatment. This left me very weak, and with a lot of time, so I decided to resume drawing.
Once I had made more of a recovery, I attended an artist market, and realized that many people were able to sell their art. This experience opened my eyes to the possibilities of making a living as an artist.
Beibei, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Beibei Xu Champagne, and I am an artist who works in multiple mediums. In addition to digital art, I also work in film primarily in art department, and private commissions for a multitude of clients.
My main focus in my artwork is producing prints, stickers, keychains, and pins. These designs come from a multitude of inspirations to include my two cats, Ramen and Udon, to the myriad of cultural stories that come from my Chinese heritage.
What sets me apart from other artists in my field is my unique lens through which I view the world. As a somewhat shy individual I spent a lot of time observing the world around me, in particular looking at the way color interplay with each other. My art often receives compliments on the vibrant color choices that I make. While drawing inspiration from my Chinese culture, I strive to offer a fresh and dynamic take that fuses both the traditional and the modern.
I am most proud of the growth within myself and of my skills over the past few years. Art was not something that was valued during my upbringing and through my education. I made a very scary choice to pursue this professionally, which is not something I could have pictured myself doing even a few years ago.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
While creating art is rewarding in and of itself, what is truly satisfying is the transformation I see from the ideas in my head to their final physical presence at the end of the process. The art changes throughout, and goes on its own journey. I enjoy the process of exploring different compositions, color combinations and textures. Through trial and error, eventually discovering that right combination of what can truly make the art pop in its final form is satisfying.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Coming from a background where my Mom and Dad worked a regular 9-5 job, I have struggled with being self-employed. Many of my peers and classmates have also gone on to work for other or firms. I have had to work very hard to change my perception of self-employment, and come to the realization that this path is also work.
While it may not match what I was raised to see as work, I realize now that being self-employed is every bit as demanding (and sometimes moreso) as a “real job”. I have to ensure I manage my time appropriately so that I meet the necessary deadlines. This also means that sometimes, my work occurs when I least expect it. Sometimes, a random idea will pop into my head, and I have to immediately set to work at that moment to capture those fleeting thoughts.
Ultimately, I have learned that self-employment as a creative is work just like what others do. While working outside of others’ expectations may be difficult for them to understand, for me it represents a special kind of freedom. A freedom in which I am responsible for my own path in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: beibeibear.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beibeibear_design/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beibei-champagne-97990417a/
- Other: https://beibeibeardesign.etsy.com