We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kamilah Wong. Check out our conversation below.
Kamilah, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been trying to go out with friends more, and go on walks around my neighborhood. I work a very sedentary job, always at home and working alone, so it’s been really nice being able to socialize more.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello! I’m Kamilah Wong, I work as a comic artist. It’s a very niche and unconventional career path, but I find a lot of fulfillment in it. I write and draw a lot of romance, fantasy, and drama in the manga/manhwa style. I’m currently freelancing for Webtoon and just funded my third comic via Kickstarter!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’m quite proud to say that I was able to preserve who I was before the world told me who I had to be. As a child, I would take pieces of printing paper, fold them and staple them into little booklets, then write and illustrate my own stories. During high school when it was time to apply for college, I really hesitated on who I wanted to be and what I wanted to pursue. I thought about doing graphic design, something still artsy but much more stable. I agonized over it for a long time before I found myself back where I started—writing and drawing stories in the form of comics. I think my inner child is very happy where I am today.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, mostly for financial reasons. Pursuing art as a full time career is definitely not easy, and to be honest I’ve spent several years barely earning anything. It’s thanks to my family’s support that I was able to keep going at all. I’ve been out of school for nearly three years now, so just earlier this year I really considered whether or not I needed to pivot. But things have been looking up in the recent months so I think I won’t give up just yet.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’ve had an on-going comic since 2021 on Webtoon Canvas, titled “Once Again.” It has been a challenging project, especially since it’s not monetized and I’m doing it out of pure passion. It’s helped me with being accountable, as I’ve given myself bi-weekly deadlines, but as life and other work begin to take priority, I’m afraid I may need to take a break from Once Again. Still, I truly love the story and it is a project that helped me improve faster than anything else. It’s a very self-indulgent story and I want to see it through to the end, even if it takes me a decade or more.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
In a way yes, but I think I am able to give everything my best because I’m striving for praise and validation. While I’ve gotten compliments from peers and professors, they never felt enough. I always wanted a more concrete way of showing myself I’m good enough—I never had my work displayed at school, or used as a class example, or properly published. I always worked hard wanting to be “the best,” but I think I’m very mediocre. I will probably always chase what I deem as “success,” even if I never get there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kamilahswong.carrd.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamilahswong/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamilah-wong-3460371b4/
- Twitter: https://x.com/KamThings
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kamthings
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