Welcome back to our final Artist Spotlight of 2024! This week, we're thrilled to feature one of our long-standing collaborating artists, @im.meeco. Meeco has consistently amazed us with her breathtaking portrait drawings of beautiful women. In our exclusive interview, Meeco candidly shares the story of her artistic journey and the challenges and triumphs of running her own art shop. Check out her honest, inspiring words below to gain a deeper understanding of the person behind the incredible artwork.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your artistic journey. What sparked your passion?
Hi, I'm Meeco. I'm a self-taught artist from Vietnam and I have never attended any art school. But I have been passionate about painting since I was little and I started creating more art in 2021.
If I were to reflect on the artistic journey, I'd say it's about constant growth and evolution. I started by imitating artists I admired, and over time I developed my own voice and style. My passion was sparked when I watched Japanese anime or manga. Especially Studio Ghibli movies, I think the girls in their movies are very gentle and elegant. That's also what I always aim for when drawing my girls.
Your artwork features stunning, vibrant portraits of women. What inspires the creative vision and techniques you use to bring these captivating characters to life?
Thank you for the kind words! My approach to creating vibrant portraits of women is deeply influenced by a blend of personal inspiration and a desire to communicate the strength, complexity, and beauty of the female form.
Portraits are a powerful way to capture the essence of a person—whether it’s through the eyes, posture, color choices, or even the background. In the case of vibrant portraits, there’s often an intention to evoke a strong emotional response, as color can carry its own symbolic weight. Bright, bold colors can convey confidence, vitality, and energy, while more muted tones might tell a different, more introspective story.
You've built your own thriving art-related business. Can you walk us through how you went about starting it?
I have always wanted to have my own art shop since I started taking art more seriously. It was really hard at first because I had absolutely no business experience. There are a lot of things to do when you start a small business. Such as designing the products, finding the right manufacturers for each product, designing the website, taking photos and promoting the products... There were inevitable hiccups, but I also learned many valuable lessons. But after all, I am extremely happy and proud when my artworks become lovely products and bring joy to my followers.
For aspiring artists who dream of launching their own creative businesses, what key tips or advice would you offer based on your own experiences?
It will be an exciting and challenging journey. The first thing is to identify what makes you unique and different from other artists, unique and beautiful products will make you stand out more.
Regular interaction with your audience is also important. Social media is a powerful tool for building a community around your art. Post consistently, engage with followers, and share your process to build a personal connection.
Finally, building a creative business doesn’t happen overnight. Be prepared for setbacks, slow periods, or moments of doubt, but stay persistent. Mistakes are part of the process, use every experience as a stepping stone to improvement.
When did you first start using Ohuhu products? What do you love about them?
Ohuhu was kind enough to contact me and send me a set of 120 markers and that's when I started using Ohuhu markers and fell in love with them. It was my first set of markers and I remember how excited I was when I first used it. I've had the chance to try other alcohol markers since then, but Ohuhu markers are definitely the best quality I've used so far. The ink comes out evenly, the alcohol smell isn't too strong and most importantly, they blend really well on paper.
Since you're a self-taught artist, what tips or advice would you share with others who are trying to develop their own artistic style?
My advice is to explore different mediums and techniques. Experimenting with various materials (like pencils, paints, digital tools, etc.) can help you discover what feels natural and works best for you. Additionally, it is important to research and learn from other artists who inspire you. Your style will evolve through practice. The more you create, the more you'll naturally start to make certain choices - whether it’s the way you handle lines, shapes, or how you depict subjects.
Be patient, your unique voice will emerge naturally over time.
Looking ahead, is there a particular project or creative goal that you're currently focused on achieving next?
My main goal right now is probably to continue living my lifelong dream of being a full-time artist, doing what I love every day, creating more art. I also hope to improve my drawing skills and become a professional artist in the future.
