We were lucky to catch up with Bingjing Sun recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Bingjing 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?
Embarking on a professional artistic path is a reflection of how passion and the pursuit of one’s genuine calling can be truly transformative. For nearly a decade, I dedicated myself to a career in financial analysis, a path that provided stability and growth. However, throughout those years, a persistent flame of creativity burned within me.
From a young age, I was captivated by the world of drawing and painting. The act of creating something new, of translating my thoughts and emotions onto a canvas, became more than a hobby – it was a calling. Despite the demands of my financial career, the artist within me never waned. My weekends and evenings were devoted to experimentation, to pushing the boundaries of my artistic abilities.
The tipping point came when I realized that my true passion lay in the realm of artistic expression. The structured world of financial analysis could no longer contain the vibrant creativity that sought an outlet. It became clear that my fulfillment and purpose were intricately tied to the act of bringing new visions to life.
Embracing change, I made the decision to transition from the corporate world to a professional artistic pursuit. This shift wasn’t merely a career change; it was a profound alignment with my authentic self. The joy and satisfaction derived from creating, from experimenting with new forms and ideas, are unparalleled.
While my financial background provided a foundation, it is the artistic journey that truly speaks to my essence. The decision to become an artist is not just a career choice; it’s a realization of a lifelong passion and a commitment to a life of continuous exploration and creation.
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?
I’m Bingjing Sun, an illustrator originally from Shanghai and currently based in New York City. In my artistic exploration, I immerse myself in the realms of humanity, fantasy, and futurism, using art as a vehicle to delve into the profound dimensions of the human experience and to envision the landscapes of the future.
My expertise lies in creating digital art that seamlessly weaves together a variety of visual experiences. I merge motion graphics and augmented reality to create immersive and thought-provoking pieces. Influenced by my Chinese cultural heritage and the insights gleaned from my travels, my art embodies a unique blend of logic and creativity.
Characterized by abstract concepts, fluid textures, and rational compositions, my style comes to life through a vibrant and engaging color palette. My artistic journey is a continuous exploration of both the human experience and our shared aspirations for the future.
My goal is to exhibit my artworks in gallery settings, leveraging my skills to influence the fields of editorial and graphic design, injecting my unique perspective into storytelling and visual communication. Through my art, I aim to captivate, inspire, and propel audiences into new dimensions of thought and emotion.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In the tumultuous year of 2020, amidst a world grappling with unprecedented challenges, I found myself at a crossroads that demanded introspection and courage. For almost a decade, I had navigated the structured corridors of financial analysis, a realm that offered stability and growth. Yet, an unyielding flame of creativity burned within me, tracing its roots back to childhood fascinations with drawing and painting.
Choosing to embrace change, I made the courageous decision to pivot from the corporate world to a professional pursuit of art. The transition wasn’t just a shift in career; it marked a profound alignment with my authentic self. The joy and satisfaction derived from creating, from experimenting with new forms and ideas, were unparalleled.
To make it happen, I made plan to apply for MFA program in Illustration. One of the first steps in this transformative process was a meticulous assessment of my financial preparedness. Understanding the potential challenges of transitioning to a career in art, I ensured a solid financial foundation. This involved creating a clear budget and establishing a financial buffer to navigate the initial stages when financial stability might be less certain.
Simultaneously, I dedicated myself to skill enhancement. Courses, workshops, and continuous learning became integral to my routine. The goal was not just to validate my passion but to ensure that my skills were honed and competitive in the dynamic landscape of the art world.
With a growing skill set, the next strategic move was building a compelling portfolio. This collection of my best work became a tangible representation of my artistic journey and a powerful tool for showcasing my abilities to potential clients, collaborators, and opportunities.
Recognizing the need for a gradual transition, I decided to immerse myself in the world of art part-time while maintaining my financial stability through my corporate career. This allowed me to test the waters, refine my skills, and build a portfolio without the immediate pressure of relying solely on art for income.
Simultaneously, I embraced the importance of marketing myself within the art community. Developing a personal brand and an online presence, I created a professional website and leveraged social media platforms to showcase my evolving body of work. Networking became a cornerstone of this phase, connecting me with like-minded artists, mentors, and potential collaborators.
This multifaceted approach, blending financial preparedness, skill enhancement, portfolio building, part-time immersion, and strategic self-marketing, formed the scaffolding for a transition. It was a journey marked by resilience, continuous reflection, and an unwavering commitment to aligning my career with my authentic self.
To those contemplating a similar leap into the artistic realm, my advice is rooted in these strategic pillars. Embrace change with meticulous financial planning, continuously enhance your skills, build a captivating portfolio, consider a part-time transition, and proactively market yourself. It’s not just about following your passion; it’s about strategically navigating a transformative journey that merges your artistic aspirations with practical preparedness.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Within the domain of artistic expression, the deepest satisfaction arises from the intricate dance of self-expression. For me, the allure lies in the authenticity of voice, articulating thoughts, emotions, and perspectives distinctly my own. Each stroke and word become vessels for cathartic release, a dialogue with the self, an excavation that unearths layers of identity.
The joy of creation resonates in the symphony of intrinsic satisfaction, a pleasure found in the delicate dance between imagination and manifestation. Completing a piece is a celebration—an acknowledgment of the journey, challenges, and moments of inspiration that breathed life into the work. The sense of achievement becomes a driving force, propelling me toward the next canvas or blank page.
Then there’s the freedom of imagination, an expansive realm where creativity knows no bounds. It’s the liberating feeling of pushing against the boundaries of the known, questioning norms, and venturing into uncharted territories within the mind. Imagination is a playground where ideas frolic freely, uninhibited by practicality. It’s a space where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary.
Together, self-expression, joy of creation, and freedom of imagination compose a symphony—an artistic narrative echoing the soul’s journey through creativity. It’s a narrative woven with the threads of identity, joy, and boundless exploration, inviting both creator and audience on a perpetual journey of discovery and wonder.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunbingjing.com
- Instagram: @bingjing-sun