Rising Stars: Meet Cloris Chou of Cloris Creates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cloris Chou.

Hi Cloris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Animals have always been my favorite subject to draw, so I was eager to participate in a daily dog drawing challenge in 2019 that would eventually be the start of my small business. My artwork received such good feedback that I started offering custom pet portraits and opened an online shop in 2020. Since then, I’ve also drawn hundreds of cats, rabbits, birds, and reptiles, and I’m always adding more. This year, I started vending at in-person events.

The concept behind my small business comes from my own dog, Kai. He’s a white Siberian Husky and I could never find products that looked like him, so I took it upon myself to create them. From there, I decided to try and represent as many pets as I can so others can celebrate their beloved companions too.

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?
As a self-employed artist, I’m constantly at odds with myself when it comes to discipline. Knowing I’m able to set my own schedule makes it easier to procrastinate until I’m in the mood to work. However, I’ve come to realize that I’m solely responsible for my business and timeliness (even without any real deadlines) is crucial to its success.

I also struggled with fear of judgment and failure until I took a leap of faith and participated in a pop-up event. Seeing the joy my art sparked in others gave me the confidence boost I needed to grow as an artist and business owner.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in drawing an extensive range of cute, cartoon-style pets! My goal is to try to represent as many pets as I can. At the time of this interview, I have almost 800 dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and reptiles to choose from and I’m always adding more. I love when people glance at my booth thinking there’s NO WAY I’ll have something that looks like their pet, and I’m able to show them a design that does!

How do you think about happiness?
I love animals and always have! My dream is to provide a loving home for animals in need—as many as I can comfortably and responsibly care for.

Contact Info:

• Website: SHOP: cloriscreates.etsy.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cloriscreates
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloriscreates
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cloriscreates

Image Credits:
Photo of ball python with matching keychain against leaves – credits to @ekko_theskink on Instagram Photo of two Shiba Inus and their matching keychains – credits to @katsu.x.kona on Instagram Photo of silver Cockatiel with matching sticker – credits to Stella Moon of @wilbur.oliver.tiel on Instagram Photo of two orange tabby cats and matching stickers – credits to @dashtheorangetabby on Instagram Photo of corgi with matching keychain – credits to @pumpkin_the_corgi on Instagram Other photos: Photos of me (the main image + other 3) taken by Young Min Lee Photos of rabbit stickers and reptile keychains taken by me