Rising Stars: Meet Subin Yeon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Subin Yeon.

Hi Subin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Canada, more specifically in Vancouver for the majority of my childhood and early high school years. I think I was quite lucky, as I had many close friends who had similar interests. My neighborhood was very tight-knit, and the majority of us lived close to each other; it was super easy to walk to each other’s houses and hang out. I was constantly drawing or doodling whenever and wherever I could, with mostly an interest in fairytales, animals, flowers, and pretty girls in dresses. I have fond memories of even co-writing a book with a close friend, its contents probably questionable. Some other things I remember creating were tiny, intricate flower bookmarks and edgy characters wielding scythes and scissors. Looking back on it now, it’s funny to see that many of these elements I enjoyed drawing as a child still hold true now. My lifestyle shifted when I moved to California in July of 2017– a very different and scary environment than I was used to. I was already a very closed-off person to begin with, so my inability to socialize naturally was a big struggle to get through, but I was able to overcome such challenges as my family was also there for me. Even now, it isn’t easy to create deep and lasting friendships, but I am so thankful for the relationships I have to support me today. Those I have gotten to know at ArtCenter College of Design push me to create more interesting work, and I’m excited to be graduating later in December this year.

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?
It definitely hasn’t been easy. I’ve obviously had my fair share of struggles back in Canada growing up, but it really was a very different kind of challenge I was faced with after moving to America. Thankfully, I was able to meet good people and share good memories with them, but I could not shake off the feeling of loneliness as I missed my old relationships back home. Change is scary to most people, and it was absolutely terrifying for me, as I always enjoyed the comfort of everyday life and familiar faces. Of course, I still kept in touch with friends online, but it was never the same. I constantly felt like I was spectating, drifting further away while everyone was growing up without me.

It seems so simple to understand now, but it really is hard to change yourself for the better without taking a risk; I’m always afraid of feeling uncomfortable in new situations, so much so that it affects the experiences I could have. Not only is it scary, but it’s very mentally hard as someone who’s not used to being out of their comfort zone. It’s still something I have to accept about myself, and now that I’m older, there will be plenty of times where I have to take the initiative too.

Even when it comes to creating, I have to remind myself that by doing something I love, I’m already taking a risk– and with that, I’ll come across many other obstacles. Despite all the pains that come with it, I’m thankful for what art has done for me and how it allows me to express myself and how I view the world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I really love illustrating work that mixes both cute and horror elements. I especially love fairytales– so much of my art has a bit of its influence. I always was attracted to the fact that tales told as bedtime stories to children have much more sinister undertones once you pull it apart, and that’s what I love to hide within my own work. I’ve especially had an interest in fairies, insects and supernatural creatures, especially when it’s within a narrative context. It’s always so fun seeing how different artists interpret different legends, and creating new, made-up characters is always refreshing. I think my fascination with ideas that may be unnerving are very easily translated through seemingly innocent subject matter. The mediums I work in change depending on what I’m working on, but I love using pen and ink for detailed linework and acrylic paint for paintings, and I think my use of detail is one of my strongest points. Pieces I’m most happy with are ones that can achieve that mesh of ‘creepy and pretty’ naturally all the while telling a story. Recently, I got into collaging and creating textured paper for paper cutting, which feels like a more hands-on approach to illustration. I’m constantly trying to find digital methods of illustration that can mimic all sorts of textures in Procreate, which is also quite fun.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If drawing is something you love, have fun with it! It’s so easy to forget that art is something that’s meant to be liberating, and nothing has to look perfect– nothing really can be anyway. If other people think your ideas are strange, weird, disconnected– it doesn’t matter. Do what you like that makes you happy because that’s the most important thing when it comes to creating. I always think back to when I obsessed over tiny mistakes and I wish I didn’t take it too seriously. Not everything about art has to be a constant uphill struggle, there can be times where you can just draw without the pressure of needing to create something “worthy” of being shared. It may be simple, but definitely something many others might also struggle with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://subinayeon.wixsite.com/portfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunayeo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/subin-yeon-2bba88276/