We were lucky to catch up with Tran Nguyen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tran, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout
To take preventative measures against burnout, I scale down the number of projects that are taken on. When I spread myself thin and over-book, I start churning out mediocre work. I can tell when my paintings are lacking originality so I’ve learned to be selective in the projects I agree to so that I’m devoting all of my artistry to the client while also knowing I’m putting out work that I’m proud of.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Tran (pronounced “tron” like the movie), and I’m a Vietnamese freelance artist mostly known for my softly rendered paintings of female figures and their melancholic surroundings.
My paintings are made with delicate strokes of acrylic and colored pencil on paper, and often possess an air of fantasy and surrealism. I illustrate for published media, creating book covers, tabletop gaming assets, product packaging, as well as large-scale murals. I’ve worked with clients such as VH1, Amazon, Smithsonian magazine, Penguin Random House, and Netflix. I’ve also showcased with galleries across the world, creating original works of art for exhibition. I hope to have my second art book and first clothing line released in the near future.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three would be – learning the business side of being a freelancer, continuously experimenting with new media, and determination.
As a freelancer, you’re wearing a lot of different hats. One of the biggest hats that I feel should be emphasized is being a business owner. It’s learning to juggle your brand’s IP, marketing and social media channels, bridging art to commerce, and creating a steady flow of direct and passive income. While it’s a fulfilling career, it’s a business that requires nurture and maintenance for longevity.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Dedication and resilience have led me to the career I have now. Visual arts is an extremely competitive industry, especially with the turbulent demands of being a freelance artist.
I think a lot of my will to push forward is attributed to my parents. My family grew up in impoverished conditions in Vietnam, living in a metal-roofed shack with dirt floors. In 1990, we were given the opportunity to come to the States so my parents decided to leave everything they knew and loved to move to this foreign land so that my brothers and I could have a better future. In the decade after we settled in the States, I saw my parents make a lot of sacrifices and work extremely long, hard hours so I could get an education they never had and pursue my passion for art. In witnessing this, it’s shown me what hard work really looks like and has taught me to never give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.mynameistran.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mynameistran
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mynameistran
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/my_name_is_tran
Image Credits
Photo by Lanny Nguyen
