We were lucky to catch up with Ngan Huynh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ngan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

In the beginning it was mostly copying the artstyle of the artists and works I admire. Animes like Sailor Moon and Inuyasha especially influence me to gear toward creative art in the first place. Watching speedpaints and drawing/painting time-lapse was the next step as I learned to use watercolor and digital mediums. These video help me learn how to use the tools and the ways it can be manipulate to how I want them to. Foundation studies in art school helps me sharpen those skills I got on my own. I don’t think there’s really a way to speed up the learning process of drawing and painting other than keep practicing with your eyes and not your mind. What I mean is that it’s much easier to draw thing based on references and real life rather than solely based on your memory and what you think. After you understand how to draw with your eyes, you can then tie your emotions and stories to the work. Learning creatively is never ending, you can always expand your skills through life because there are so many things and stories for you to experience and adapt to your own works.

Ngan, 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 Ngân Huỳnh [ng-uhn][hwin], I’m a Vietnamese illustrator based in Minnesota. I will graduate from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in May 2023 with a BFA in Illustration and Advertising minor. I got into art and the creative field of work because I believe there is so much flexibility within art that I could continually expand on. Art is like handwriting or another language that I learn from others before me but then I can add my own whimsical view to it.

I have particular skills in narrative illustration, concept design, creative ideation, and a passion for whimsical and colorful drawings with hidden narratives. Every artist has a superpower; mine lends itself to the imagination. My powers and passions within are on an adventure to discover the colors of the world through the beautiful messages and stories I encounter.

Ngân’s currently open for freelance works like illustration and design. She also takes personal commissions and is looking to make her own artist merchs.

Find more of Ngân’s works at https://nganelichuynh.wixsite.com/arts and https://www.instagram.com/elicsloth/
Email: [email protected]

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to make children’s books that share stories of diverse kids and individuals like me. Growing up, I adored picture books and comics, they were the spark to my imagination. As I grow older and learn more about the children’s book industry, however, I realized that the books I read as a kid weren’t as diverse and inclusive as I wish they would be. I can still remember how happy I was to see a Vietnamese name in a book, or how a reimagined fairy tale becomes an LGBTQ story. I want to contribute to making more diverse books and have my artwork and story be a part of it. I want people to feel the spark of joy when seeing my colorful works and know that their stories can be told as well.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to surround myself with my fellow artist friends and view their unique perspectives. Everyone I’ve met at my school has something valuable for me to learn from through their art practice. One thing about artists is that they don’t mind sharing the little tricks and tips they’ve learned and I feel like we need more of that energy in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nganelichuynh.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nganelichuynh/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngan-huynh-49a860174/