Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Wei.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tiffany. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
What started as a mere hobby quickly became a great passion of mine from a very young age. I began my first art class at the age of five and simply never stopped drawing ever since. Instead of disapproving this passion of mine, my parents actually encouraged me to continue. It was specifically my mother who enrolled me into my first art class, took me to all the nearby museums, and purchased many art-related books for me to read. Growing up, I remember putting my drawing assignments first amongst all the other homework from school. Despite doing art for so long, I never seriously considered it as a potential career path until sophomore year in high school. It was during this time that I worked really hard to put my portfolio together by attending outside programs such as Ryman Arts and CSSSA. I am currently attending Art Center College of Design as an Illustration Design student.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would not necessarily say it was a smooth road to get to where I am now. I am definitely grateful for the fact that there was no opposition from my parents to pursue art, which is traditionally considered as an unideal career path. At the same time, this caused me to place a great amount of pressure on myself to succeed in fear of disappointing them or anyone else. The sense of doubt has definitely proved to be quite the challenge as there are still moments where I find it difficult to not second guess myself or my ability to produce “good” artwork. Nowadays, I try not to think with this mindset and simply create art for myself regardless of the expectations of others.
Please tell us more about your art.
I am known for creating detailed drawings and for being a multidisciplinary artist. My work consists of digital illustrations, pen and ink drawings, embroidery, and monoprints. Since I am quite new to using digital programs, I have the tendency to first create traditional drawings and then manipulate the colors or effects of the piece digitally. I often try to incorporate a consistent sense of flow in my art along with some imagery inspired by textiles, patterns, and traditional Chinese art. I personally choose to not limit myself to a preferred set of mediums because it allows me to constantly experiment with different media and to expand my knowledge of different artforms.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was quite shy, so drawing allowed me to express myself way better than with words. It also allowed me to connect with others that have the same passion and eventually helped me break out of my comfort zone to interact with them. Now, I am definitely more outspoken and sometimes (admittedly) a little too blunt.
As a child, one of my greatest influences was my grandfather who specialized in Chinese calligraphy. He was also an avid collector of artwork, so I was always surrounded by Chinese ink and wash paintings, ceramics, and textiles. Therefore, it is no surprise that I am often inspired by the dragon, flower, and bird motifs found in ancient traditional ink paintings along with the intricate details of Chinese porcelain.
Another interest of mine is fashion which ranges from styles such as grunge, vintage, victorian, harajuku, and much more. It was through fashion that I gradually became fascinated with textiles and textures. At the moment, I am trying to experiment with how I could combine my art and fashion whether it may be through textile design or through other means.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tiffanywei.art
- Email: tiffykurai@gmail.com
- Instagram: @txxiic_
Image Credit:
Tiffany Wei
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