Welcome back!

This time, we have an amazing interview with artist @thai.apathy !!!!

Our first collaboration with them was animating this beautiful piece! (Check out our Instagram page for actual animation):

The amount of happiness they showed from us animating their art was so contagious! We were so excited to ask for an interview!

Below is our interview!:

1. What is your IG account? Do you have any other social media accounts for your art?

My IG account is where I showcase my artwork—mostly digital pieces—with some traditional pieces scattered throughout. It’s basically a showcase of my artistic journey. It’s also a dream. I would love to grow my Instagram account to the point where I’m functioning as a constant business doing what I thoroughly enjoy on a grander scale. I would love to do illustration work as a part of my career path.

I use Twitter (@thai_apathy) for reaching a wider audience with my art. The algorithms are becoming trickier to utilize, so it’s almost necessary to have your hands in multiple platforms.

2. What was the first art piece that you remember impacted you and inspired you to make art?

I believe that what brought me onto my path to where I am now as a creator was Naruto.

As we all know, anime and manga is an art form that has impacted plenty of artists. I remember watching Naruto on Toonami on Saturdays when I was in the first grade and drawing characters for it.

I feel like I have to say now, my influences range on a wider scale in addition to anime and manga. I also deeply admire Alphonse Mucha and his illustrations as well as magazine illustrations from the 1890s (especially French ones).

I enjoy things that are playful and whimsical as well as express a type of femininity like pieces from the Rococo period.

All of these influences have informed me.

3. When did you realize that you enjoyed making art or when did you start making art?

I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon and I’ve always loved it dearly.

One of my earliest memories of creating was of this booklet we had to illustrate for our mothers for Mother’s Day in Kindergarten. I was so proud of my book that whenever we had to stack them on the table to be collected by our teacher, I would strategically place mine in the pile last so it would be on top.

Looking back on it now I used to always draw myself as an artist as a child—with a beret on and everything—and hang those drawings on my bedroom door.

I know my child self would be very proud.

4. What style of art did you start off with and is it the same today? What else have you tried? What are your favorite styles of art?

My art has once again, always been informed by anime and manga.

When I really started drawing with a distinct “style” it was big eyes and big heads.

My style went through a couple transformations like embracing chibi bodies, having simplified designs (influenced by Adventure Time), attempting art more directly in line with anime styles and so on.

Now, over the past few years I’ve settled on something with a similar basis. What I think I’m most known for now by myself and others are cute eyes with wicked liner and lashes, pouty lips, and exaggerated femme attributes.

Right now I am very inspired by 80’s and 90’s anime. I am also drawn to styles that embrace typically femme qualities.

I also admire styles that might employ gore or nightmarish elements in a whimsical way.

I’m very drawn to styles that have utilize details in little, yet important ways, like the ways highlight might be applied on a cupid’s bow, or the way subject matter is layered to create interesting compositions.

5. Which is your favorite art piece you have made and why?

My favorite art piece that I’ve created fluctuates constantly.

I feel like I’ve been growing so much artistically recently that it’s very hard to settle on something.

In this moment, I guess it’s going to have to be this piece I did as fan art for the show Bee & Puppycat. In terms of it being my favorite interpretation of a character, it isn’t, but, the overall composition and the way I went about using color just makes me feel very pleasant and happy. It’s very dreamy and pink. I’m sure it’ll change by next week though.

6. When did you decide to start a social media account for your art? Were you nervous? Excited?

One of my best friends convinced me to start an Instagram account for my art in 2017. It was in May and around the time I graduated high school. I technically had started using social media for my art prior to Instagram—on Tumblr—but I never gained the traction or consistent base for my art like I have here on Instagram. My art also wasn’t as well seasoned as it is now, so I consider Instagram where my art found a home.

When I made the Instagram I wasn’t necessarily nervous or felt a particular emotion at that time, but I definitely felt more excited once I started gaining followers who genuinely enjoyed my creations as well as make friends with interesting people who are displaying their love for their work as well.

7. How has your experience been with your social media account(s) for your art? What are the positive outcomes? Is there any negative outcomes?

So far, my Instagram and Twitter experiences have been very positive. I’ve never received negativity or suffered any major blows that can generally come with social media and I’m blessed for that!

I’m worried in the back of my head, of reaching that point where I find someone has been stealing my art, tracing my art, or trying to copy my exact style. Artists just want credit where credit is due. It’s okay to be inspired and ask for permission before using pieces, but a lot of people just don’t care which is hurtful.

I mean, we’re all pulling from each other as artists for inspiration, but there are always artist horror stories. I would hate to find my art being sold on some shirts that I didn’t give permission for and was not being properly compensated.

But I’m also not going to let that stop me and I’m just going to pray and hope that I can continue moving further without that happening as long as possible.

Most people are just kind and encouraging and know to credit the artist behind the work.

I feel like I have positive art bubble around me right now.

8. What advice would you give any artist out there who are considering sharing their art on social media?

I would like to tell artists considering using social media as a vehicle to share their work is that most people are kind and encouraging about your work, so don’t be afraid to post things. Even if you aren’t sure about them.

As you grow as an artist people will be excited alongside you as you move along on your art journey.

One of my favorite comments I get, is when people say things like, “you’ve come such a long way” or “you’ve improved so much.” I can see it and it makes me feel good that others see the changes too.

Of course, watermark or sign your artwork—preferably in places that would be hard to crop or remove to protect your work as well as direct newcomers to your art.

It’s important to tag companies or people in your work if it applies. For example, if you drew an influencer you like or used a company’s products for your art, tag them! You’re not annoying them I swear, and a lot of people love to see the work you’ve done inspired by them and it can provide exposure if they share your work.

Use hashtags too, it doesn’t matter if it’s a lot. I know there’s a stigma against them, but they do bring traction to your work, so just remove that thought process because posting your work online is about sharing what you’re proud of.

Most importantly, just be kind. My social media experience has been really fun because of the kindness I’ve experienced and given out to other people. If people are rude, just delete their comments or messages.