We were lucky to catch up with Tran Nguyen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tran, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Artistic careers can be fulfilling yet exhausting on the art-maker over time, which often leads to burnout. To offset this, I try to make time for personal work so that I can bring my stories to life on my own terms. In working on a series of personal drawings that were based on a short story that I wrote, it led to new work opportunities. It led to new book cover projects, murals, and other commissions. It also led to a new style/ approach to illustration that I’ve been working on the past years to better.
Tran, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Tran and I’m a freelance illustrator and fine artist. Though I’m originally from Can Tho, Vietnam, I grew up stateside and currently reside in Georgia.
My paintings are created with a soft, delicate quality using colored pencil and acrylic on paper. My work often features female figures, billowing motifs, and whimsical environments, which often possess an air of fantasy and surrealism. I’ve created illustrations for published media such as magazines, books, wine & beer packaging, animation, advertising, and mural work, and have collaborated with clients such as Tiger Beer, World Wildlife Fund, Wizards of the Coast, and Simon & Schuster. I’ve also showcased with galleries within the U.S. and internationally.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
There are alternate paths that can be taken in pursuing illustration if college isn’t an option. Art workshops such as the Illustration Master Class and SmArt School are some of the many programs available out there who prefer short, focused teachings. There are also conventions such as Lightbox Expo and IlluxCon, that offer lectures and valuable networking opportunities for aspiring artists.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Working as a freelance artist is also owning a business which means pivoting between different markets and industries to create a steady flow of income. Once I graduated from college, I started working solely in the fine arts industry. After a few years in, I began to pursue illustration doing commercial work. Over time, I found ways to permeate into the publishing industry doing book covers, working at an animation studio, and other visual arts markets. Being able to adapt and pivot to the needs of a particular market has been essential to freelancing.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.mynameistran.com
- Instagram: @mynameistran
- Facebook: @mynameistran
- Twitter: @my_name_is_tran
- Other: http://www.patreon.com/mynameistran