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Story & Lesson Highlights with Lun Padungvichean

Lun Padungvichean shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Lun, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of work, I’ve been enjoying reading and going on scenic hikes. When I have free time, I love getting lost in a good book, it’s something that fully immerses me and helps me take a break from everyday worries. I also really enjoy hiking, being surrounded by nature inspires me. Observing the natural world helps me feel more grounded and calm.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Duairak Padungvichean, or Lun. I’m an artist, illustrator and rug maker. I love creating whimsical images and artwork, mostly inspired by natural forms, my everyday experiences, and things that catch my attention. I especially enjoy including funny-looking creatures in my work, they are basically like a small reflection of myself. With my background in illustration, I’m able to carry a consistent visual style across different media, which I think makes both my rugs and artwork unique and one of a kind.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think the people who saw me clearly before I could see myself were my parents. Even though I always knew that art was what I was most interested in, I didn’t always see how I could pursue it. It was my parents who helped me explore that path and guided me through the early stages of my artistic journey. Looking back, I think they could see my potential even before I fully understood it myself.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
In my career, I think the thing that has held me back the most is my own insecurity and self-doubt. It’s something I’ve been working to overcome recently. While it doesn’t affect me physically, it impacts how I think about myself and my work, often leading to a less productive workflow. When these thoughts come up, I find myself questioning whether what I’m doing is good enough, which can make it hard to stay motivated and pursue the things I really want to do. Lately, I’ve been trying to put these feelings into my artwork, hoping that the creative process will help me clear my mind and find my rhythm again.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say the public version of me is still a part of who I am, even though I don’t share everything about myself publicly. I try to be as genuine as possible, whether it’s through online platform or at events like art fairs. But like most people, I tend to show the best parts of myself and my work. So while what you see is real, it’s not the full picture and I think that’s completely normal!

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had 10 years left, I would stop worrying about whether the things I want to do are “worth it.” I think I’d just go for it and try everything I’ve been curious about, take courses in things I’m interested in, without worrying about whether the outcome is good or bad. Worrying really holds you back from living life to the fullest, whether it’s traveling to new places, meeting new people, or simply doing what you love.
I’d also stop being lazy and actually get out and do the fun things I keep putting off. These days, there are a lot of things I don’t do just because I don’t feel like moving, but if I only had 10 years, I’d definitely push myself to live fully and enjoy every moment.

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