Life & Work with Hyunbin Baek of New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hyunbin Baek.

Hi Hyunbin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m an illustrator working under the name Wazavee.

I started Wazavee during a break from my work as a designer. I felt a strong desire to draw, and an art residency in New York gave me the time and space to start exploring my own illustrations.

The name comes from wasabi, which I love. There isn’t a deep meaning behind it I just liked the sound and its sharp, spicy kick!

Since then, I’ve turned my illustrations into posters and stickers and participated in two illustration fairs in Korea. I’ve also shared my work through independent shops in Korea and a poster shop in Toronto.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge has been finding the energy to draw alongside my design work. After putting so much into my day job, I often still wanted to draw but didn’t have much energy left to actually do it.

Making room for my own work took both time and energy, and it was difficult to find that balance consistently. It was frustrating to keep putting off something I loved, even when I had ideas I wanted to explore.

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 draw everyday objects, animals, plants, and houses using loose, playful lines and vibrant colors. I like adding a bit of unexpected humor to familiar things – giving a seashell a face, for example, or bringing houses and trees together to create an imaginary village. I turn these illustrations into posters and stickers.

I’m drawn to the curiosity children bring to the world. A slightly crooked line or an unusual proportion can give a drawing its own personality, and I like leaving room for those imperfections. I hope my work brings warmth and small moments of joy to people’s everyday spaces.

Some of my most rewarding moments have been at illustration fairs, seeing people’s faces light up as they look at my drawings. I was surprised by how deeply something I’d made on my own could connect me with someone else. Seeing the enjoyment I felt while drawing reach another person has been a reason to keep going.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think it’s the desire to keep drawing and making things. I haven’t always been consistent or confident, but even during periods when I wasn’t drawing much, that desire was still there.

I love choosing colors, experimenting with materials, and turning something in my head into something real. Whenever I finish one thing, there’s something else I want to try. That curiosity and enjoyment keep bringing me back to drawing.

I don’t know how my work will change over time, but one thing is certain: I’ll still be drawing when I’m an old lady.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hyunbinb.pages.dev/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wazavee.png/
• Other: https://collective-hue.com/collections/wazavee

Image Credits
Wazavee