Today we’d like to introduce you to Hoi Lam Poon.
Hi Hoi Lam, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Since I was a child, I have had a strong interest and passion for creating art. My father is a very interesting, talented, and open-minded person who shared with me all kinds of movies, documentaries, and music from a young age. He is the reason why I want to pursue an art career. I was never a quiet child, I was curious about everything and had a great desire to express myself. Drawing became a unique outlet for me to express myself and express my emotions, so I decided to choose art as my career.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I grew up in an environment where art is not a popular career to do and where parents were more likely to want their children to have more stable jobs. I grew up as an outlier among my peers and always wanted to find a place where I could create freely and meet like-minded people. It wasn’t easy for me to come to LA to continue my art career. Before art school, I had to learn to draw from online artist communities and YouTube. Learning art is never easy. I always blame myself, worrying that I am not good enough and struggling to express my imagination in my mind with my drawings. In addition, I need to learn how to overcome my low self-esteem and pride. On the way of learning art, it is inevitable that while creating for oneself, one’s self-confidence will be undermined by other outstanding and talented artists. Therefore, finding a stable and healthy mind is the key to continuous learning and improvement. It is also important to learn to appreciate the art of others and to accept art fields that are unfamiliar to me and to keep an open mind.
I’m glad I persevered and made it this far, but it’s not the end. Since this is one of the rare things I love and can do well, I will continue on this path.
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 studying at ArtCenter College of Design as an entertainment student, and I mostly work on visual developments and designs for entertainment industry projects. I’m also very interested in editorial illustration and children’s illustration, which is a field I wish I can learn more about.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I am grateful to my parents for supporting me in what I am passionate about and to my friends who have offered me help and encouragement. I came to Los Angeles alone, knowing nothing about this new environment. Without their support, I don’t think I would be as happy as I am today with my education and starting my art career. I am also grateful to the organizations and seniors in the entertainment art industry who have shared their educational resources and experiences openly and transparently and let us get access to those resources. I believe they have helped not only me but also many others who carry dreams and are passionate about art. I’m especially thankful to my friends and classmates at ArtCenter who help me with my improvement in art.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hlampoon_art/
