OUIL 502 PPP Creative Presence: Creative Report with Ketnip Mary Chu
In studio brief 2, I have a chance to have an interview with a creative illustrator, I have chosen an illustrator with a fun and bold tone of voice to be my interview person. I found this person on Instagram, a platform full of creative, and professional artist that I gain inspiration from. Before this brief I have already wanted to ask him questions about how to be a professional full time artist, by this chance I could ask him with more questions, in order to know more about how to be a professional illustrator. Fortunately, I found his email address on his Instagram, so that I don’t need to search for another interview method. I have used my personal email address instead of the college one, because the way of using personal email address is more professional than showing “It’s a college brief so I pick up you to be my interview person”, in my point of view
How do you create this character? I made the character of 'Ket' after becoming bored of my old style. I used to draw a lot of intricate and detailed portraits, and although they looked nice I never felt like they represented me. So I began drawing in a more "dumbed-down" style, in the hopes of making something that would be more accessible emotionally, and eventually I ended up with that character. I'm not saying that a 'Ket' is meant to be a symbol of emotion or at-all provocative; just something with more personality. Technically speaking, I make the character in Photoshop, and I use a Wacom tablet to draw. I would use Illustrator, but it's too damn complicated. Has your practice(works) changed in time? My practice/style has changed a lot. My old work was all done in pen and the characters were harsher and sketchy. Now I aim to make them look softer and less busy by using Photoshop, because the whole 'edgy' look seems a little bit played out. Also by having a simpler character I think it becomes more inviting and interesting, as it takes the focus away from the figure in the work and more towards the subject matter.
What memorable responses have you had to your work? I've had some really cool stuff sent to me, like people who've made little Ketnip cartoons and skits of their own, and people have drawn my character on their clothes and made pins of my work. I also get a few messages here and there from people who say that my work has helped them with emotional issues, which really compels me to keep making. Just recently I had an issue with a big curator account that used my work without permission, and the way my followers responded was really humbling. I'm very grateful. What's your inspiration to make these characters? I'm very much inspired by creative individuals, especially those who you can identify by a symbol or unique style; such as Iris Apfel, MF Doom, Leon Karssen, KAWS... I just like how they own the brand that is their own individuality, and have managed to make something bigger than themselves through art and self-expression. I'd much rather have a symbol of creativity speak for me, rather than wealth or popularity. That inspires me to create above everything else. What's you’re the next step? (example: collaborate with a clothing shop/have an exhibition/etc.) In the near future I plan on making more drawings and trying out some new styles. I'm also currently working on a large oil painting of a 'Ket' and I'm collaborating with some people to make a 3-D figure of my character.