Chitchat:Ching Cia Ee
Your Full Name
My birth certificate says ‘Ching Cia Ee’ but I prefer just Ciaee.(pronounced: jee-uh yee)
Tell us about you
I never know what to write about myself. I think I need some sort of direction or context. Let’s see, I’m 24. Still going to art school. Currently torn between my love for two countries.
In your opinion, what would be the secret ingredients to become a great illustrator?
I have found that there are no secret ingredients. You just have to really take the time to sit down and ask yourself, what would you like to achieve through your work? Many people neglect to do so and follow the set path that has been laid out for them or blindly imitate what has already been done.
I believe that every step of the way you are making decisions – big and small ones- and you need to be constantly aware of your personal objective to become the sort of artist you want to be.
Where are you located?
I’m currently located in San Francisco, California, but my home in Malaysia is in Shah Alam, Selangor.
What is the most fascinating part of being an illustrator?
I find it fascinating that as independent artists or illustrators, we are given the freedom to look deep into ourselves and we get to channel what we experience into our work.
Where do you get inspirations from?
I draw inspiration from everything I experience in my life- sometimes my own past, sometimes from stories that I’ve been told, or from movies, animations, manga… etc. Everything. I try to be open to the world around me and I try to be open to my own emotions in order to create work that people can relate to.
Do you promote/ sell/ showcase your work? If so, how?
I mostly showcase my work online, through social networks such as deviantART, CGHUB, Facebook, etc. I also manage my own website. It might be a good idea to participate in contests, challenges and annuals from time to time to make your name more familiar to industry peers. Oh and conventions! Conventions are great for meeting people in person. People who like the shit you make. There’s nothing more healing than a bit of ego-stroke from time to time.
What is your long range goals in your life?
I always tell people that I want to become a person that I can really be proud of. And what sort of person is that? The definition changes, day by day.
What types of assignment/ project are you attracted the most? Why so?
I am most attracted to assignments and projects that require a lot of personal internalization. If I feel that with my experiences as a person, I am able to make a meaningful contribution to the project as well as learn something from the process of making it, the project become one that is worth investing my time and efforts into.
Who is an illustrator that you look up to? Why so?
I look up to many people – some are animators, some are video game designers, some movie directors, teachers or writers. I respect anyone who has a real passion for their work, and are willing to go an extra mile to see their visions realized. I’m especially moved by work that introduces suppressed feelings, thoughts, ideas or philosophies and new ways of seeing, and not just art for art’s sake.
Describe a difficult work/ project situation and how would you overcome it?
If I am undertaking a project that is not entirely familiar to me, I try to keep in mind that I might not succeed right away and I give myself enough time to fail, experiment and sometimes even start over.
What do you think about the Internet and how it is affecting our lifestyle?
The Internet has made it so easy to obtain information. I cannot imagine not being able to search online for images (for reference) or having to go to the bookstore or the library each time I need to do a little bit of research. Also, with e-mail and free services like MSN and Skype the Internet has made it possible for an artist to work from home.
If you could turn back time, how would you do things differently?
I wish I allowed myself to have more fun when I was younger. But someday in the future I would probably look back at the current point of my life and think the same thing. I don’t know, really. For now, I believe in living in the moment.
How do you keep your work fresh? Do you need to consciously adapt your style or does it progress naturally?
When I notice a recurring element (color, composition, theme, etc.) in my work, I’m naturally inclined to try moving away from doing the same thing again but lately I’ve been asking myself if there is a real need to do that. For example, if I had used the red and green complimentary palette in my last three paintings, I might feel the need to use the color blue or something else for my next piece. However, if I feel that the same palette would be the most effective choice for a certain mood or for a specific emotion, I will quite consciously decide on what is truest to my vision of my painting after some consideration.
Name your favorite (art) books/ magazines.
James Jean’s Fables Covers is definitely one of my favorite art books ever. As for art magazines, I’m a fan of Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose.
What is your life motto?
I want to become a person that I can be entirely proud of. But that’s all too serious now, isn’t it? There’s another motto or ‘battle cry’ a fellow artist (Drigz Abrot) shared with me. It’s called the ‘FIT’ or Fuck-It-Technique, and I use it sometimes when I’m lost. First you stare intensely at the blank canvas. When you’re ready, yell ‘FUCK IT!” as passionately as you can. Now start drawing. Works!
In what kind of a work environment do you do your best work?
I generally prefer working alone, but sometimes I like going to the library or to the cafe. When everyone around me is working on their own stuff, I get really motivated to get work done as well.
What do you like the sound of? Why so?
I like how the beach sounds! The sound of the waves crashing on the shore really calms me. The sound of the rain does that to me too.
If you have online portfolio, what is the URL?
http://ciaee-art.com/
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