Life & Work with Veda Lee of Santa Clarita

Today we’d like to introduce you to Veda Lee

Veda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I still remember the vivid feeling of opening my college acceptance letter to my dream school for animation. Moving across the ocean from Hong Kong to LA, alone at 17 was certainly the biggest leap I had to take in my life so far — to be one step closer to animation. Studying at Calarts for the past 3 years, not only have I learned so much about the art form that is animation, but also a lot about myself too as an artist; my own voice, as well as the stories I want to tell.

But of course, my story started a long time before that. Growing up in Asia, I was introduced to a lot of Japanese anime and manga early on in my life. Seeing empowering characters on screen, really gave me the determination to become a better version of myself. The stories told by animation have changed the way I see the world – and the way I see myself – for the better. I then thought: wouldn’t it be cool if I could become the author of these stories? So I picked up my pencil, starting to draw and create. There is something that only animations can achieve, using imagination to build a world that defies the rules from our existing one.

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?
Every good story starts with the protagonist going through different struggles, as they later on overcome those problems and grow. For me, moving alone to Los Angeles at 17 was no easy task. Saying goodbye to all my friends and family back home, entering this scary new chapter by yourself while navigating a new culture — I certainly had to learn how to adapt quickly. As much as I missed home, I had to learn to let go and embrace the future ahead. Constantly trying new things, explore new places, talk to new people, things I would have never imagined to do during high school. Learning how to step out of my comfort zone was definitely a very big thing for me to overcome my struggles so far.

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?
Yes! I’m currently a freelance illustrator and filmmaker studying Character Animation in Calarts. My works, being illustrations or animated films, focus on bringing a sense of warmth and nostalgia. I think it’s important to send positive and heartwarming messages in era in which rates of depression, anxiety have been higher than ever. In all of my projects, colour is a huge component that ties everything together, as I feel as though its one of the strongest ways to evoke emotions. Aside from create my own works, I’m also very passionate about teaching drawing and inspiring others to draw — not only as it is a way of self expression, but also an amazing way to make friends and to be a part of a community. Two very important aspects I feel, to live life in a meaningful way.

One of my proudest works of recent is my second year Calarts film, ‘To The Class Of Us’ — a story about two friends learning how to say goodbye to the past, but most importantly, to each other on graduation day. When my film premiered on Youtube, I will never forget one comment someone wrote, “This film is like a warm hug to me. Thank you.” It was then I realised, I love making animated films, and even with all the crunch hours, muscle pain, sleepless nights — maybe it was worth it, and I want to keep doing it in the future.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
As much as I hate to admit and learning this the hard way — luck does play a very important part in one’s life. Being in the right place in the right time, or knowing the right people might just be what you need to have a big break, though often we don’t know what, when, where, or who that is. However, instead of telling you ways on how to be luckier, I’ll say this: Don’t beat yourself over things that you can’t control, only focus on what you can do. The universe works in mysterious ways, and when the right time comes, I’m sure the right opportunity will come by!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sakuraopal.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakuraopal/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vedalee/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SakuraOpalArt

Image Credits
All artworks by Veda Lee (@sakuraopal).
Headshot by Mia Cheng (@7leafo).