In two thousand and nine, I moved from Thailand to California. I was twelve years old, not knowing how to communicate in English. Thanks to my mom and all the sacrifices she has made, I’m grateful to have grown up in an area with access to many opportunities in art and design. I spent four and a half years in undergrad studying design, animation and illustration.
I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, so here I am living my life as an illustrator with Edwin and Smokie in Los Angeles, CA, where we pay a lot monthly (Edwin and I do. Smokie doesn’t pay rent) for a one bedroom apartment that is not insulated very well. There are also a lot of free loaders like raccoons and other rodents living somewhere in our attic. We can hear them running around sometimes. Part of the charm of living here.
I’m interested in making illustrations about everyday stories and small moments that shape who we are, whether through the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the people we encounter from all walks of life, or the things we hear and see on the street. I like to observe and find inspiration in things around me, especially in people and the series of decisions we all have to make daily. I find charm in imperfection and awkward people who are happy being themselves and love what they do. I like to think I’m one of them.
My process involves working in both digital and traditional media. I enjoy using analog mediums like gouache and pencils to explore my ideas. It’s important to preserve the textures of those materials in my work as part of storytelling.
If you’re still reading this, thank you for being here. Let’s work together! :D
- Pearl
pearlknextdoor@gmail.com