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Q: What type of stories do you like to create and share?

A: My work inevitably ends up being a reflection of my own personal journey. I like to incorporate themes of exploration, mindfulness, and wonder in my work. I hope to encourage others to take on the adventure of their own lives.

Some of my main influences come from perennial philosophy and picture books. They might seem unrelated, but I find they share a lot in spirit. I think the most powerful truths are often best communicated through simple storytelling, whether through words or images. One of my favorite books is still The Little Prince, which is really a philosophical picture book. This reflects the kind of work I like to create and share.

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Esembly: What advice would you give to someone who’d like to transition to a creative job?

Mimi: You can do it! I’ve found that so many people are waiting for permission to take a chance on themselves. I was in the same boat! So I like to say, “here is your permission!” It’s absolutely something you can make happen for yourself. That said, it’s not a walk in the park to make a big career transition. So on a practical note, make a plan— a financial plan, a learning plan, and a business plan. It most likely won’t turn out the way you expect, but having a map is helpful. Seek out inspiration and hold onto your north stars. Don’t listen to people who discourage you if you do not want the life they have made for themselves. People who have lived a life of fear or living for other people’s approval will project their fears onto you as well. Truly happy people who have followed their dream will encourage you to do the same.

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Procreate: While still being sophisticated, your work has a childlike wonder and whimsy to it. Is this deliberate and does it come easy?

Me: I love how you described it. Yes I would say it’s deliberate in the sense that I want my style to reflect me. I love modern Scandinavian and Japanese design styles, as well as the aesthetic of brands like Aesop and the taste culture of Monocle. At the same time, I love picture books and animated films like Spirited Away. I suppose that’s all reflected in what I create.

However, it’s not deliberate in that I don’t have an exact vision of how I wanted things to look when I set out. It’s more that I have a feeling in mind, and it’s exactly like what you described. I would say my style has evolved a lot but the sentiments of my drawings have always been the same.

I wouldn’t say it comes easily. Even drawings that look very simple take a lot of skill to execute well. I learned that the hard way! There’s a fantastic quote by Ira Glass on it, just google “Ira Glass The Gap” as it’s a little too long to write here. But it’s so true: you have this vision in your mind of what you want your work to look or feel like, but it takes a lot of time and practice before reality meets expectations.

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This is a video profile that lives on Skillshare's company About page (as of November 2022). It shares my story and transition story.

Watch the video on YouTube

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GR: What would be your advice to somebody who is afraid to defy their parents’ expectations?

MC: I hope my example shows it is possible. I don't think I'm an especially lucky or brave person; a lot of it is fear. There seems like such a huge wall, but once you say you’re going to do it, the fear is behind you. Then you think, “Oh, that wasn't so bad.” The caveat is you should plan. It doesn't always work out, so it's good to think through your process. And you have to know yourself in order to find the right fit for you. Why do you want to do art? Is it because you think it's easy or cool or because you really have a passion for it?

If you have the passion, I really think you should do it. Whether it's art or law or medicine, you should do what you care about. A lot of times, Asian Americans feel selfish pursuing what they want to do versus the responsible thing that will make their family proud. But at the end of the day, you can’t get exceptionally good at whatever you do, unless you really care about it and are willing to put in those extra hours. I've never been able to work hard at something I didn't care about; maybe that's a character flaw that turned out to be a guiding strength.
 

My dad, a typical Asian parent, literally said, “I think you're lowering your value,” and “Why can't you just do this at night?” It sounds so hurtful and it is on an individual level. But so many Asian parents have said this to their kids. They come from a place of love and they mean well. They had their own experiences of struggle. But they also need to see that it's our fortune as their children to have the opportunity to chase something we want to do in America.

In the end, the things preventing me were thoughts like, “I'm scared of what my dad will say,” and “I'm scared of what people might think if this doesn't work out.” But when you go for it and you work hard, things just happen. Things follow with you. Even though you might not be able to see how your destination ends, your path is literally building under you as you're walking. I don't think the fear should prevent you from doing anything.

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