We recently connected with Sissel Tan and have shared our conversation below.

Sissel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Honestly, I’m really happy as an artist and creative. Art is such a big part of my life—it’s what makes me feel alive and connected to myself. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about coming up with an idea and bringing it to life, almost like creating my own little universe.

That said, being an artist does come with challenges. It can feel unstable and sometimes disconnected from the rhythm of society. I’ve had moments where I catch up with old friends and realize how different my life is compared to theirs—especially those with more conventional jobs. After graduating, I struggled with financial anxiety and peer pressure, often questioning my work: *Why am I creating this? Should I make something more commercial to get freelance opportunities?

Eventually, I decided to make a change. I took a job as an art teacher, and it’s been one of the best decisions for me. Art fulfills me emotionally and creatively, but having a stable income gives me the security I need to keep creating without the constant worry about finances. Teaching has also become a source of inspiration—sharing my knowledge and watching my students explore their creativity feeds my own artistic spirit in unexpected ways.

Now, I feel like I’ve found a balance that works. My regular job provides the stability I need, while also giving me the space to focus on my personal art journey. It’s not always easy to juggle both, but I’ve come to appreciate how they complement each other.

If anyone is in my similar situation, my advice is to find a balance that works for you. It’s okay to have a stable job alongside your art—it doesn’t make you any less of an artist. Stability can give you the freedom to create without constant financial stress, and you might even find inspiration in unexpected places. Take care of both your creativity and your well-being—it’s all part of the journey.

Sissel, 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?

For those who don’t know me, I’m an artist with background in costume design, illustration, and fine art. My artistic journey began with painting in high school where I gained technical skills, but I soon realized I wasn’t drawn to creating realistic art. Instead, I wanted to make work that felt unique, imaginative, and personal—something that stood out as my own.

My work focuses on characters and storytelling, blending fantasy, surrealism, and vintage aesthetics. I work across multiple mediums, from traditional and digital illustration to 3D art doll sculptures and large-scale paintings. I’m also currently involved in an indie game project, which is an exciting new way for me to explore narrative art. I aim to create pieces that immerse the audience in a story and evoke a strong emotional response.

I believe what sets my work apart is my multidisciplinary background and love for experimenting with materials. My studies in costume design and fashion influence my characters and visuals—I often incorporate bold aesthetics, vintage elements, and mixed media like leather or fabric into my work. My inspiration also comes from Japanese visual rock culture, 90s fashion, and theatrical performances, which have shaped my style and love for bright, dynamic colors that express raw emotion.

traditional painting or crafting plays a big role in my process, as I enjoy creating tangible, physical works that feel alive. For me, art is not just about recording daily life but about building imaginative worlds—places I’d want to live in. I find endless inspiration in history, mysticism, and nature, often pulling these themes into my work.

At the heart of it, I hope my art speaks to people in an emotional way. I’m proud of how my work reflects who I am, and I hope it inspires others to embrace their own creativity and imagination.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think one key thing non-creatives struggle to understand is just how much mental and emotional energy goes into creating art. It’s not just about painting or drawing—it’s a deeply personal process of exploring myself, having conversations with my thoughts and emotions, and making sense of the world around me. In many ways, it feels more like a philosophical journey than just a creative one. That’s why it takes so much brainpower. I’m constantly thinking, questioning, and problem-solving to create something that feels meaningful to me, and sometimes, that intense thinking can leave me completely drained.

Another thing people might not understand is how much I rely on inspiration to fuel my work—and how unpredictable that inspiration can be. Ideas often come to me at the most unexpected times, and they can vanish just as quickly. That’s why I sometimes find myself working late at night or even through the early hours of the morning. When inspiration strikes, I feel this urgency to capture it and get it down on paper before it slips away.

This way of working can seem strange to others. For example, my friends and family, especially my mom, often tell me I need a better sleep schedule and should prioritize my health. They suggest I just save my ideas for tomorrow, but the truth is, I know I won’t feel the same “spark” or “want-to-create” energy later. Sometimes, I’ll insist on doing unusual things, like asking strange questions, visiting a specific place during a trip, or even making something at odd hours—all to gather the resources or experiences I need for my art.

It’s not always easy to explain why I work the way I do, but it’s just how my process works. For me, art isn’t something that fits neatly into a routine—it’s something I have to respond to in the moment. I hope that helps people understand that creating art isn’t just about skill or tools; it’s about capturing a fleeting connection with inspiration and making something meaningful out of it, and that may happens at any moment.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the freedom to create something that didn’t exist before—a world, a character, or a story that’s entirely my own. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about taking an idea from my imagination and turning it into something tangible that can connect with others. That process of creating, experimenting, and problem-solving along the way really brought me so much joy and satisfaction.

Comparing with other means, art is the easiest and most natural way for me to tell stories and explore ideas. It allows me to take abstract emotions, passions, or even personal fetishes and turn them into something creative and meaningful. These elements are part of who I am, and art gives me the freedom to embrace them in a beautiful way without judgment. It becomes a way to explore these unique aspects of myself while presenting them in a way that others can engage with. Whether it’s through a character design, a surreal composition, or an immersive visual, art lets me package these ideas into stories that feel honest and authentic.

What’s even more rewarding is when my work resonates with people. Seeing someone connect with a piece I’ve created—whether it stirs emotions, inspires them, or simply brings them visual impact—feels incredibly meaningful. Art has this universal power to connect us, even when we’re expressing deeply personal or niche ideas, and I love that it can act as a bridge between my inner world and the people who experience my work.

On a personal level, being an artist gives me a way to explore my own identity and passions while also creating a space where I can dream beyond reality. It’s like building a world that reflects not only my imagination but my truest self. That freedom of expression and the ability to continuously grow and learn as an artist is something I deeply treasure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sisseltan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sissel.tre/