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

Yubin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project for me is one I recently completed, ‘The Eye.’ It was a true passion project that took several years. The idea initially came to me when I was a sophomore in college. It all started from my fascination with exploring the concept of eyes, which has a profound and impactful imagery. The first step was to develop a plot and concept. Given my love for gothic and monster-themed stories, I began jotting down notes and sketching ideas in my notebook. I drew a lot of inspiration from my all-time favorite movie “A Series of Unfortunate Events.” I embarked on the project, initially attempting it through printmaking. However, I didn’t feel satisfied with the execution and considered it a failure despite receiving positive feedback from professors and colleagues. I decided to revisit the project the following year with clearer ideas and a more defined vision. This time, I went with digital media, which felt more aligned with my comfort zone.

The project depicts a child’s journey to escape from a spooky castle, where an evil Queen and monsters seek to steal his eyes. While no project can ever truly achieve 100% satisfaction, I found this digital iteration to be more aligned with my vision than the printmaking pieces. I must admit, ‘The Eye’ project is my favorite and most personally meaningful creation so far. I am looking forward to the opportunity to develop more projects of a similar nature in the future.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an illustrator and designer based in New York City. I find joy in creating drawings with intricate details and a whimsical attitude. I get huge satisfaction from immersing myself in the process of making repetitive and meticulously textured works. My journey into the world of art began in my high school sophomore year. I was fortunate to cross paths with an inspiring mentor who not only introduced me to the art industry but also helped me discover my passion. My academic path led me to the School of Visual Arts, where I studied Illustration, allowing me to explore art and illustration and connect with inspiring individuals who continue to motivate me. My professional background includes roles such as an illustrator at the Baturu Cultural Film Festival and a 2D designer at Cider.

Throughout my artistic journey, I’ve proudly crafted three series: “Monster Mayhem,” “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” and, of course, “The Eye.” These series have ignited my desire to create art that weaves intriguing narratives, utilizing delicate lines while intertwining elements of wit, darkness, and wonder. I thrive in building fantastical worlds, extending invitations to viewers to engage, bringing a sense of curiosity and awe. I aspire to make art of this nature.

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

I get great satisfaction when people engage with my work and grasp the underlying meaning and intention. On top of that, when my art resonates with a wider audience, I get such excitement. I cherish the opportunity to express myself, to be heard and seen and establishing these connections with people and leaving a lasting impact is something I love so much. It truly makes for a rewarding and enriching experience. It’s a simple joy, yet the sense of reward it brings is immense. Perhaps it’s because I’m relatively new to the art scene; these little moments and recognitions hold significant value to me.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I truly wish I had been aware of creative communities like CanvasRebel itself. It’s an incredible platform where artists from around the world can unite to share their creative journeys, passions, support, and valuable insights. If I had known about resources like this when I was just embarking on my journey, I would have connected with more fellow artists, learning from their experiences and also sharing my own. It would have provided a wonderful opportunity to assist and navigate my career with the guidance of such communities. Besides being a useful resource, it also serves as a great support system, a reminder that I’m not isolated in this vast art world. Given that being an artist can often be a lonely profession as we tend to work independently, I believe that establishing connections with others is a valuable aspect to reduce feelings of solitude.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eelnibuyart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eelnibuyart/