We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erwin Ong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Erwin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on is a mural that I created for the Serious Fun Arts Festival in White Plains, New York, called “Fish City.” The mural included many of my fish characters, and allowed me to celebrate the city I live in while also showing my work on a large scale. This was my first time creating something of this size (24″), for the outdoors, and of course collaborating with stakeholders through the design and installation process. I learned a lot about the process and logistics, and I can’t wait to design more murals and large-scale public art in the future. Through the process, I also met many people in the arts community, and it has opened other doors and opportunities for me to make more art like this in the future.

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 am self-taught illustrator, artist, and muralist based in White Plains, New York. I make bright and happy character-based illustrations that are influenced by my endless curiosity and interest in animals, plants, and all things aquatic. I draw inspiration from a lifetime of living near large bodies of water–during my childhood in the Philippines, my teens and 20’s in Southern California, and now in New York.

Along with drawings and small acrylic paintings, I design greeting cards, stationery, stickers, and other gift items with my art. I have also licensed my designs for notebook covers; and I’m in the middle of working on a coloring book project and a mural. My work is bold and fun and can be appreciated by both children and adults alike. I try to incorporate sustainable practices in my art (though there’s always room for improvement).

In 2020, I started A Duck Amuck to create products that can spread joy and connectedness, whether through writing short notes and greetings, giving gifts, or decorating a home or office with bright and happy artwork. Last year, I started a small collection of bilingual Tagalog-English greeting cards. (Tagalog is the main language of the Philippines.) It was very popular within the Filipino-American community, and I am hoping to expand to other languages this year.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I don’t know if I wish I knew about it sooner, but I was very happy when I tapped into the arts organizations in my local area. Everyone in the community benefits from these organizations, and as a creative, it can give you the opportunity to meet other artists, collectors, community organizers and leaders; to get financial support through grants, scholarships, and prizes, and to present your work and talent to an audience, whether through exhibits, performances, workshops, and other showcases. Especially if you are early in your journey, I recommend reaching out to these groups and participating in their events and initiatives.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is getting the chance to see people react to my work. When I see someone smile, or laugh, or become curious, or intrigued by something that I created — I love that I can make that connection and uplift their day in some way. I make my art for self-expression, so I’m happy that it gets this second leg by being a positive experience for others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aduckamuck.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duckamuck
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aduckamuck
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erwinong/
• Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aduckamuck/

Image Credits
Erwin Ong / A Duck Amuck