Creative Spotlight: Episode #52 – Schin Loong

Post

1 comment Sep 5, 2011  |   Posted by in Interviews

Home  \  Creative Spotlight: Episode #52 – Schin Loong

Schin Loong is a graphic artist and illustrator based in Las Vegas, United States. However, the cool thing was Schin was born and raised in Malaysia by two very supportive artist parents. Graduating from The One Academy of Communication Design, Malaysia with a diploma in Illustration, Schin pursued studies in Ringling College of Art & Design, Florida with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Illustration with Honors. Talk about Impressive! Past clients include Hasbro, Ogilvy & Mather, Kong & CHEW Magazine and Visions of Zosimos. We sit down and talk about a variety of things, from illustration techniques, to clients, to film. Read below for the full interview…

Tell us a bit about who you are and how you came to be an artist?

Schin: It just didn’t occur to me to be anything else, really. My parents are both graphic designers and I grew up surrounded in a creative environment , so it was natural to me that I should paint as well. It was so enjoyable that I just never stopped.

You typically stay in the fantasy genre, what draws you into this realm?

Schin: Reality is so boring, I’m sick of it. Why should I paint mundane things when I can paint flying goldfishes and octopus bride-women instead?

Referencing some of the interviewees of the past, growing up in Malaysia, most parents didn’t want their children to grow up being artists. Was your childhood any different?

Schin: I’ve met with some resistance here and there from people who insisted I will starve forever or something if I follow my dreams and be an artist. Good thing I am blessed with very supportive parents who encouraged me every step of the way.

Your art is also appreciated among the tattoo community. Why do you think your art translates so well to ink?

Schin: I guess my work just has a pin-up and colorful quality that translates well to skin. I’m lucky to have people wear my art on themselves, it’s the greatest honor for me. A talented tattoo artist that can do justice to the original art is extremely important as well.

That’s not all! You have customized dolls as well. Tell us a bit about the creative process behind creating one of those.

Schin: I have a few Blythe and Pullip dolls that I love (you gotta be rich to be a collector!). Since these dolls are mass produced, I prefer to have a doll that is unique, so I customize these dolls as a craft project for myself where I can utilize my painting, sewing and jewelry making skills. The dolls are very versatile and their hair can be changed, dyed or styled, the faces repainted (this is the most difficult part) and even modded to create a new facial expression. I think of it as fashioning a new character and it’s just another way to let off some creative steam.

As a freelancer that does commissions, how should an artist deal with a non-cooperative client?

Schin: Unfortunately, a project can sometimes get difficult due to over managing or indecisiveness. It is necessary to keep the focus on the final artwork and not the client. After all, we both have the same aim, which is to create the best possible artwork for the project, and keeping that in mind it is possible to keep the working relationship professional and stress-free.

Do you have any favorite Asian films or Anime?

Schin: I absolutely love In The Mood For Love by Wong Kar Wai and The Banquet by Feng Xiaogang. I grew up with a healthy exposure to Asian films due to my Chinese background, there are so many favorites that it is difficult to list them all.

It seems you mostly illustrate the female body. Why the lack of male subjects?

Schin: The female body is so sexy and have such a wide range of emotion and endless possibilities. Also it’s just so much fun to paint, so lovely and curvy. I just never got around to painting much men, I suppose.

Lastly, what can we expect from you in the coming months? Art book? Exhibits? etc.?

Schin: I am working on a series of paintings for a Malaysia day celebration in September, and after that, I may be working on another series for another group show. I am trying to keep busy!

Want to keep tabs on Schin’s work? We got you covered:

web: http://schin-art.com/
art: http://schin.etsy.com/



Related Posts with Thumbnails

  • Cat-who-eats-my-sox

    so beautiful art! i cannot even draw that good using traditional paints and pens, let alone doing it on computer. much applause!




Newest Articles



Ep. 4 ◙ May 02, 2012
Listen NOW | Download

Categories