Meet Trailblazer Esther Y. Kim

Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Y. Kim.

Esther, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Ever since I was a kid, drawing was the only thing I felt like I inherently understood. It was just a way for me to entertain myself and other people. I used to draw cartoons for my friends at school, creating my own stories and plot lines. I think that’s where my passion for illustration began. I love combining images with stories.

Despite my love for illustration, it took me a long time to finally take the full plunge. I worked in an office environment for a long time, and I put my own personal work on the back burner. I know there are many people out there who are amazing at balancing the two, but I, unfortunately, do not have that gift! I was feeling a bit lost, and on a whim, applied to an artist residency in Japan, not thinking anything would come of it. When I was accepted, I realized I had to choose between the security of my job or jump headfirst into the unknown. I decided to take the risk, and have been working full-time as a freelance artist ever since.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When people find out that I freelance, the first thing they say is: “Wow, that sounds great! You get to be your own boss!” I used to have the same misconceptions about freelancers. I used to envy that they could set their own hours and work from home. But, after five years of doing it myself, I realize that although it is definitely a privilege to be able to choose this career path, it comes with a whole new set of challenges. The jobs don’t just magically appear, and there is a lot of competition out there. The biggest challenge is staying vigilant and staying motivated. You have to be proactive, and it can get a bit exhausting always being “on”, so to speak. A big part of being a freelancer is being able to self-promote and network, and that’s still something I still have yet to master.

If I had to give any advice, it would be to first figure out what works best for you. Everyone is different and has their own work style. Some people are great at balancing a job as well as their personal work. I personally did not have that skill, but it doesn’t mean everyone has to go out and quit their day job in order to pursue their dream. My other bit of advice would be to make sure to stay grounded. It’s easy to forget about your mental and physical health when you’re trying to meet deadlines and make ends meet. It’s OKAY to take a break… in fact, you should take them as often as you need to. You don’t have to be productive all the time, and sometimes, taking a step back is necessary in order to move forward.

Please tell us more about your artwork, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
The core of what I do is an illustration. I love experimenting with bright, bold colors, patterns, and shapes. I mostly depict slice-of-life moments in my work, and they are often always lighthearted and quirky in terms of the subject matter. In the last year or so, I’ve been exploring new ways to translate my work into different mediums. I’d like to be able to expand the kinds of products I can offer. Lately, I have been making handmade jewelry with my illustrations, and that has been a fun project!

There are a lot of brilliant artists out there doing the same thing, trying to make it work, and instead of focusing on what sets me apart from them, I embrace how we are similar. I get excited when I meet another artist who has the same love for colors or textures. It brings me comfort to know that I am not alone! I have never been a very competitive person. Maybe that’s why it took me a while to get here. But, I am so grateful to be here, on this plane, doing what I’m doing.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
I am so lucky to be surrounded by so many talented women artists and makers. They keep me on my feet! I also have a group of close friends who are so incredibly supportive and inspiring and outrageously talented in their own right. I don’t want to turn this into a name dropping paragraph, so I will just say, you all know who you are! Thank you and love you!

The one woman who I owe EVERYTHING to, however, is my mom. For a good chunk of my childhood years, she was raising me as a single working parent, and I know I wouldn’t be who I was or even where I was without her dedication and sacrifice. She came to this country without knowing a lick of English, swept floors, cried in bathroom stalls, and worked her ass off just so I could have a good life. I am inspired by her. I am inspired by all who share a similar story. Thank you! You are all amazing!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.peahappy.com
• Email: esther@peahappy.com
• Instagram: @peahappy

Image Credit:
Portrait by Jason Min

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