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

Waifu, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I graduted university with a degree in Engineering, and I worked as one for a while. While I enjoyed the job security, something always felt like it was missing. I had been making art ever since I could hold a crayon, and one day my friend who saw my work told me I was good; good enough to go pro. This meant a lot coming from them since they had an artist job at a video game company. I started putting a little more and more effort into my art, posting online regularly and eventually made the jump. I’m grateful to have had the encouragement and support I had to follow this childhood dream that was too big to even voice, and have never looked back since.

Waifu, 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?

A hot beverage warming your hands on a cold day. The happy glow when you pat a passing dog and they wag their tail. The pleasure of watching the sunset fade to black as the evening breeze cools your face. The soft feeling of contentment as you wrap yourself in a warm blanket. The smile on your face when a loved one sends you a silly video of your favourite animal that you watch on your phone. I try to capture these little slices of life on my canvas, and I hope they resonate with the folks who see them.

A large number of people buy items as gifts for their family and friends, be it a sticker of a cat that looks just like their daughter’s cat, a funny illustration they think will make their spouse laugh, a print of their coworker’s favourite character or a custom portrait of their dad’s DnD character. This fills my heart with pride and warmth, that my work can connect people to each other and bring a smile to their faces.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I started, I felt a pressure to conform and be more mainstream in style and subject. When your branding is consistent, it can help a great deal with finding a stable customer base and increasing your audience. However, this was not a sustainable path for me. My interests are constantly changing and I’ve figured out that drawing to make myself happy makes me more productive and makes my work more engaging. I’ve realised plenty of people enjoy my art style and sense of humour so I’m more comfortable with just doing me. Self confidence is important for creatives looking for personal growth, there is always pressure to do what’s popular and sells but I think there’s plenty of space for you to be silly or edgy or weird or scary.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I can draw literally whatever I want! And sometimes people give me money to have a piece of my art in their homes! Money pays the bills, but knowledge that folks have my drawings on display and that they enjoy looking at them, and showing it off to other people? That fuels my soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://waifuarts.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waifuarts/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/waifupins