We recently connected with Kim-Vi Tran and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim-Vi, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I feel that I can offer a unique perspective on this, as I’m currently working a full-time “regular” job as a Data Analyst on top of my full-time “creative” job as a Live Wedding Painter. I can confidently say that I am very happy doing both! I really enjoy the balance that the two careers offer me. It feels as if both sides of my brain are exercised daily, and when I tire of painting or looking at numbers, I have the option to pivot.

I will say though that I find my Live Wedding Painting work to be more immediately fulfilling, since my efforts are so clearly rewarded by the happy reactions I get! However, my technical work within the non-profit industry is also fulfilling in its own way~ Also, knowing that I’m not reliant upon one single source of income makes me much less stressed than I would be if I relied solely on my small business, which isn’t as stable.

Overall, I believe the key to happiness is finding a balance that works for you, as well as making time to sit back and create for your own enjoyment.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always been a creative at heart but definitely struggled for a long time to make a meaningful living off of my work, which led me to pursue a more traditional technical career. One day, I came across a social media post on Live Wedding Painting and instantly fell in love with the idea! I dove head first into my first wedding a month later, and within a few months, became fully booked~

As a Live Wedding Painter, I capture newlyweds’ special moments on canvas as a unique entertainment for guests and memory for the couple, which becomes their first heirloom as a new family. Unlike traditional photography, I can also paint in things that aren’t actually there, such as their dearly departed loved ones or fur babies!

I am most proud of being able to make such special memories for everyone involved in these once-in-a-lifetime events through my art. It is truly an honor to be trusted with immortalizing so many love stories in paint that will be passed down generations to come~

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media work has definitely been a struggle for me! But I personally believe that if you have the skill, post consistently and with decent quality content, your work will really just speak for itself. People will recognize talent if you just put enough of yourself out there.

I was fortunate enough to go viral a handful of times, which I think helped me build the majority of my audience. It’s difficult to predict which posts or content will do well. The biggest lesson for me was just be consistent as possible and try to not get discouraged by low engagement ect. With effort, time, and consistency (and a smidge of luck), you will attract the right audience for you.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, and more specifically, a Live Wedding Painter, is really the joy that you can bring out in people. Knowing that my paintings will be hung in these families’ homes, reminding them of hopefully one of the best days of their life, and will be passed down from generation to generation as a family heirloom is truly so so special to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kvtfineart.com/
• Instagram: kvtfineart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kvt-fine-art/?viewAsMember=true
• Other: TikTok @kvtfineart

Image Credits
Stella Yang Kim-Vi Tran