Meet Vanessa Mei

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

Hi Vanessa, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

One foolproof way I overcome a creative block is by visiting museums or galleries. Seeing the level of craftsmanship reignites my own desire to create. I find myself wondering how I can challenge myself to reach that level of expertise. Whether it’s an exhibition of a world-renowned artist or a small local artist, I always leave inspired.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Having been born in Japan and raised in Singapore, my original artwork is often reflective of my experiences in Asia. Most of my drive to create art comes from a desire to capture a moment that holds deep personal meaning. Reflecting on the memory of emotions or sensory experiences of the time inspires me to translate those feelings onto canvas.

In recent years, my artistic career has gained momentum, particularly through making prints of my original artwork available for sale online and at in-person events in Singapore. In addition to creating original pieces, I also take on commission work. One of my most exciting recent projects has been collaborating with a musician to create digital artwork for the album covers of her new singles. The collaboration to create a visual identity for her music has been an experience I’ve found really fulfilling.

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?

The first is to have self-belief. The first step in creating your own business is to believe that you are capable and to use this to be motivated into making your vision a reality. Sometimes, this is best done by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. It can be scary taking the leap to start selling art for the first time or to do your first commission piece, but once you start pushing yourself you realise just how capable you are!

The second is to not compare yourself to others. It’s easier said than done, but everyone is on their own journey and the most important thing is to enjoy the ride. The key to avoiding comparison to others is to bring your focus back to yourself. Instead of looking at other artists and thinking about how much work you need to do to get to where they are, look back and take credit for how far you’ve come.

The third is to lean on and give back to the artistic community. The art world is incredibly supportive, and I’ve learned so much from the advice and encouragement of fellow creatives. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! There’s so much to learn from those who have been in your shoes.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always open to collaboration and am excited to hear from anyone interested in working together. Whether you’re looking to commission a personal artwork that holds special meaning or to collaborate on a custom piece for a creative project, I’m happy to chat about your ideas and bring them to life. If you’d like to discuss a potential collaboration, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram at @vanessamei.art or email me at [email protected]. I look forward to connecting!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vanessamei.my.canva.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessamei.art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vanessa-mei-art/