Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Dang.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
To be quite honest, I had a very difficult upbringing starting out as an artist. It took a lot of effort and the help of my high school teachers to convince my parents to let me pursue a career in art and design and persevered to make it my dream career. I was so driven by my passion that I still fondly remember and miss waking up at 4am in the morning to take the three hour train ride to ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena for classes to help build my portfolio before finally being accepted into the incredibly selective Entertainment Design program. During those four and a half years of studying at ArtCenter, I not only improved and built upon my skills but I met so many lifelong friends and faculty who would not only inspire me but motivate and push me to my highest potential as an artist. I am now currently working as a freelance concept artist at a relatively small production company in Los Angeles and work as a fine artist selling original paintings.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There was definitely a lot of struggle along the way but I wouldn’t have built up the thick skin and battle scars (literally) today if it wasn’t for the amount of sleepless nights, pain and stress I had to endure to get to where I am today. It isn’t easy but it has a sort of adrenaline driven fun to it that’s indescribable. The hardest part of my job as an artist is simply in two words, problem solving, whether it’s anatomy, perspective or color, we constantly always have room to improve and grow ourselves and never stop learning.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently working both as concept designer for a production company on an animated TV series and work as a fine artist on my free time selling my original paintings. I was trained in both digital and traditional media but will almost always gravitate toward traditional art simply because it’s one-of-a-kind and a more intimate creation process. As such, I’ve grown really attached to my oil paintings and traditional works.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Have fun with your art! No matter your skill level or experience, people see passion and love in your work. I don’t like to consider my paintings as “work” and more like I am making a good living off of something I love to do.
Contact Info:
- Email: kdangart@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.kdangart.com
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kdangart
