Meet Emo Kiddo of Tianjin/New York

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emo Kiddo.

Hi Emo , 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?
I mean I started off my art career as an illustrator and a painter, matter fact, I just recently did a solo outdoor art show in my home city. It hit different when you do things in your own city. It’s like everyone come from a similar background and we almost share the same art and graphic language. When I did my solo art show, I didn’t have to do too much explanation, I felt like people just understood it. However, these days my focus is a little bit scattered in a good way. I’ve been branching out into different fields such as color therapy and art teaching. Like half of my time these days is being spent on making art and the other half of my time is being spent on teaching and my therapy practice.

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?
No I mean I won’t say it was a smooth road. I mean I don’t even think this was supposed to be a smooth road because I’m trying to take things to another level and really show people how this could be done. I’ve been doing art teaching lately where I teach students about the similarity and difference between Chinese traditional art and European oil painting. Like you know those different eras of paintings, renaissance, baroque, rococo, there are certain eras of Chinese calligraphy that match the timeline of Western art development. Hopefully this upcoming winter my students and I can go on a whole journey of studying these interesting art history facts and just really understand Chinese and Western art to a whole other level.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I mean if you were to ask me this question two years ago I would tell you I’m an artist, an illustrator, a painter. However these days I’ve been dabbling into different fields. Like I said earlier, half of my time now is being spent on art teaching and art therapy now. To be honest I always knew I was gonna become an artist but I never thought I had a therapeutic talent. I did a few therapy events and classes where people really busted out crying at the end of the show. These were some really spiritual yet intimate moments where I really understood the difference between a teacher and an artist. Being an artist is all about showing off yourself sometimes, however, being an art teacher needs you to help other people grow, not just yourself.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Yeah I mean I most definitely got some stuff on the way. Some really interesting stuff. Whether it be my paintings or my art therapy practice. I most definitely got some stuff on the way. However I also understand the fact that you need to grow yourself before you can help anyone grow. What I’m saying is I still have a lot of inner work that needs to be done. Whether it be a past trauma or anything of that sort. I think the same goes to all the other practice and business, always grow yourself before growing other people. Always treat yourself as your top priority, but not in a very egotistic way though. Grow yourself in the most humble way possible and shine on them, without a doubt.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emokiddodraws/