Meet Han Swoish

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Han Swoish. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Han below.

Hi Han, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

I developed my ability to take risks by embracing the idea that you never truly know what you’re capable of until you try. I often find myself reflecting on the notion that I would regret not pursuing an opportunity more than I would regret trying something new, even if it doesn’t work out as planned.

I think a major barrier for many people is the fear of change, and I can empathize with that feeling. I’ve had my share of ups and downs with it. However, when I sense that fear creeping in, I remind myself that every experience, whether positive or negative, offers valuable lessons. This mindset helps me focus on growth rather than comfort.

Ultimately, I believe that taking risks is essential for personal and professional development. The growth that comes from stepping outside my comfort zone is far more rewarding than staying stagnant.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

As the Studio Manager and Event Director at Redfishbowl Studios, a local artist co-op in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, I am passionate about making the creative process more accessible for emerging artists. Many talented individuals have incredible ideas but often struggle to find the support they need to bring those visions to life. I aim to change that by actively listening to our artists and supporting them in their creative journeys.

An essential part of my work is amplifying artists’ voices. As an artist myself, I’ve often felt frustrated when my pieces were displayed without the option to include an artist statement. That’s why, at Redfishbowl, I prioritize allowing each artist to include an artist statement next to their piece during our themed group shows, giving them the chance to express the meaning behind their creations.

Additionally, we’ve introduced “Artist Panels” on opening nights of our group shows, where featured artists are invited to speak publicly about their work and the processes behind it. It’s a truly special moment to see artists share their emotions with the community and celebrate the passion that drives their work.

I’m really excited about and proud of the community we’ve been building at Redfishbowl, where creativity can flourish and every artist’s voice has the opportunity to be heard.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I believe the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been empathy, dedication, and curiosity.

Empathy has allowed me to truly understand artists’ needs and perspectives. It helps foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Unfortunately, I feel as if empathy is often assumed to be a “soft skill” that everyone possesses, but in reality, it can be easily overlooked. In leadership roles, especially as a director or manager, it’s easy to become fixated on deadlines or insist that “things must be done a certain way because of this.” However, staying stuck in your own head means you risk missing out on valuable ideas or voices that deserve to be heard. These perspectives could not only enrich the final outcome but might even make it a thousand times better.
For those just starting their journey, I encourage you to challenge yourself to actively listen and seek to understand others’ experiences. Doing so not only strengthens relationships but also deepens your understanding of your craft and the community you’re a part of.

Dedication is crucial in pursuing any creative endeavor—or really, anything in life, whether it’s relationships, mental health, or physical well-being. It means showing up consistently, even when faced with challenges or when you don’t feel like it. Not every day will be rainbows and sunshine, so it’s essential to become comfortable with that fact and push through regardless.
For emerging artists, my advice is to cultivate a strong work ethic. Set goals, create routines, and remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing, especially when motivation wanes. This dedication will pay off over time.

Curiosity drives growth and innovation. It pushes you to explore new ideas, learn from others, and expand the boundaries of your creativity. I often joke with myself, but I’m completely serious when I say I never want to lose my inner child. I make it a point to keep asking questions—especially lots of “whys.” By thinking critically and seeking to understand how things work, I truly believe you open yourself up to endless opportunities for improvement and innovation.
To develop this quality, I recommend embracing your inner child and committing to lifelong learning. Attend workshops, challenge your own assumptions, seek diverse influences, and never hesitate to ask “why.” Staying curious will keep your creative spark alive and open doors to opportunities you never knew existed.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I believe it’s important to strike a balance between honing in on our strengths and working on areas where we’re not as strong. To me, this question is like the classic cliche of approaching a fork in the road: do you take the path with endless cookie dough or the one with endless ice cream? My answer would be, “Neither! I’d make my own path and try to get as much cookie dough and ice cream as possible.”

Focusing only on strengths is great for maximizing what we’re already good at, but it could mean missing out on opportunities to grow in unexpected ways. By working on areas we’re not as strong in, we gain new skills and perspectives that could end up being just as valuable—both for our own development and for the people we work with and influence.

This also ties back to my belief in taking risks and trying new things. You never really know what you’re capable of until you step outside of your comfort zone. There’s no harm in exploring new areas—you will always learn and grow from the experience, whether it ends up being positive or not.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michel.han.gelo/

Image Credits

N/A – most pictures were taken by me or my partner on my cell phone