We recently connected with Yee Von Chan and have shared our conversation below.

Yee Von, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I didn’t start earning a full-time living from my creative work right away, even though it was something I really wanted. It actually took me years to build up a safety net while working a full-time job and pursuing my creative interests part-time. That meant dedicating long hours during weekdays and weekends to my passion. Eventually, I reached a point where I decided to take a leap of faith and let go of that safety net. I told myself that if things didn’t work out after a year, I could always go back to my previous job (it’s important to know your options). But that was seven years ago. Now, I’m fortunate enough to be working full-time in my creative pursuits, pouring my time and energy into something I’m truly passionate about. Despite the challenges of working for myself, I wouldn’t trade this path for anything else. I hope to continue improving and growing with each passing year.

Yee Von, 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?

I’m Yee Von from Selangor, Malaysia. Currently, I live in a studio apartment with my furry companion, Meow. My living space doubles as my workspace, so instead of a sofa, you’ll find tables and cabinets. I create my illustrations using an iPad, which is a step up from my earlier method of pen on paper. This allows for faster progress and a wider range of textures and details, as well as the flexibility to work from anywhere.

My signature illustration style revolves around whimsical woodland animals, known for their closed eyes and intricate fur details. Many have found solace and tranquility in my artwork, which is precisely my intention – to bring joy to people’s everyday lives. My primary product focus is on stationery items like greeting cards, notepads, and stickers under my brand, Whimsy Whimsical. Lately, I’ve been venturing into new and exciting territory, exploring accessories like keychains and scarves.

My clients primarily include greeting card companies like Hallmark, Papyrus, and RSVP, as well as children’s book publishers. Thanks to the woodland theme prevalent in my work, most of my packaging projects are centered around Christmas themes. I’m incredibly grateful for these collaborations, which have allowed me to expand my creative horizons and share my art with a wider audience.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Drawing has always been second nature to me, though improving my skills has taken time. I’ve been doodling since childhood; you could find sketches scattered throughout the storybooks my parents got me.

However, managing the business side hasn’t been as easy. Setting price points that ensure profitability while sustaining a living and saving for the future has been a challenge (I’m still figuring it out). I used to reinvest all my profits into creating new products without considering marketing, hiring part-timers, or growing the business. Cash flow was often tricky to handle, as predicting sales and projects was uncertain. And being an introvert, promoting myself on social media took years to get used to (and I’m still learning to be more proactive). Sometimes, I find myself working late into the night to keep up. Being a freelance artist is certainly demanding – some days, I wish I had an extra pair of hands! LOL

When I first started, I wished for guidance in time management, balancing active self-promotion for collaborations while handling projects, so I wouldn’t have to spend so much time wandering. I also hoped to learn how to set profitable margins that not only sustain myself but also foster company growth. Resources were scarce when I first started, and even though information is more accessible now, it can still be overwhelming to navigate alone.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

This question resonates with me deeply, especially after a recent conversation with an artist friend. Our journey often feels misunderstood by others, particularly when it comes to managing projects, cash flows, and time. We’ve encountered comments like “Why not just get a stable job?” or “I couldn’t handle the uncertainty of your lifestyle.” On the flip side, some express envy, saying, “I wish I could pursue my passions like you do” or “I admire your courage to start something new.”

There are moments when I question if I’ve traded the stability of a traditional job for the excitement of working independently, launching new projects, and collaborating with diverse clients. While the work that I do may not be like a big mission to save the world, being able to pursue my passions makes me feel truly alive. Despite the challenges, receiving positive feedback on my creations is also incredibly rewarding emotionally.

After all, not every job is meant for everyone, right? I believe having a variety of working opportunities is crucial because we’re all unique individuals with different strengths and passions. Moreover, I think it’s essential for artists to have their own community where they can share insights, discuss challenges, and learn from one another. Building a supportive network can help us grow and thrive together.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.whimsywhimsical.com.my
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/whimsywhimsical/

Image Credits
Only the image of “Whimsy Whimsical Studio – Client Work” was taken by Amazin’ Graze Team. The rest are photographed by me.