Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hong Cumming. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Hong, thanks for joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I worked as an illustrator in Shanghai’s advertising industry before moving to New Zealand in 2012. Passionate about art, I continued practicing while caring for my three kids, all under five. In 2016, I began teaching art classes in my garden hut, it was a challenge and a balance between teaching and motherhood. As the number of students increased, I faced and overcame space challenges by first renting a larger shed. Eventually, as my student base continued to grow, I moved to my current location at the beautiful Casabella Lane in the city center. This journey of juggling art and parenting has been both challenging and fulfilling, requiring utmost commitment and resilience.

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 Hong, an artist and art teacher based in Hamilton. With a background in illustration and the advertising industry, I bring a client’s point of view to my work, along with a skillset in understanding various art styles. My experiences as both an artist and a mother offer a unique perspective to my teaching. What sets my classes apart is the personal attention and customized guidance I provide to each student.

As my lessons became more established and my children reached school age, I found more personal time to explore my own art. I began running non-tutoring workshops for portraits and life drawings, and I started to achieve more sales in galleries.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My favorite quote is ‘less attachment, more connection.’ As an artist, it’s easy to get lost in one’s own mistakes, to judge oneself harshly, and to be mired in regret. Over the years, I’ve realized that the best way to move forward is to leave history behind, step out of my comfort zone, and embrace learning and trying new methods.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had stepped out of my comfort zone earlier to meet new people and join more workshops led by other artists. I’ve found that many people are more skilled and open than I initially thought. The connections made through these experiences are immensely rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.TheArtStudio.nz
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hong_cumming?igsh=anBhdjg2aXA5djA%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liz.cumming.1?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Image Credits
Hong Cumming