Previously an guest instructor at Rungsit University in Thailand and a concept artist for Playpal Co., Ltd. and Imaginary Friends Studio in Singapore, Meisan has recently taken her artwork solo as a freelance illustrator. Her watercolor-based illustrations combining Japanese manga-like characters with motifs from traditional Thai art have garnered her quite a following around the world as well as here at Wacom. We decided to get to know her better by asking her a little about her artwork and life.

Q1. You're a freelance illustrator. How long have you been a freelancer?

Yes. I am [a freelance illustrator] and now enjoy a freelance life. :) It’s been almost one and a half years that I have been a ‘freelance illustrator’. It has been good in terms of freedom but I sometimes feel isolated.

Debris maiden: Personal work,I would like to draw some complex background with melancholic feeling

Q2. What was the most exciting work (event/project/exhibition) you have ever done?

It has not been released yet, but a most exciting project is currently I am an editor collaborating with CG+ magazine in Thailand, gathering talented artists and publish digital artbooks. Another exciting thing may be preparing my own art show, but it take time to do.

Q3. Which of your artwork is your favorite and why?

“Mekkala”, (top of this page) a magazine cover, [is my favorite] because I’ve combined ancient Thai art with brand new contemporary art style including ‘manga’ influence. It was hard to do but it was my most favorite piece till now. I love it because I worked hard on this piece.

Q4. Most of your artworks look very fantastic and are very different when I look at them carefully. Are you conscious of trying not to create the same type of art that you created before?

Yes, :) I am also experimental type. I enjoy doing different styles but you can tell that it’s from the same creator from the face I draw, from my use of texture. I focus on watercolor style, fantasy art with detail or something influenced by manga, or Thai art. Anyway I think it makes my art more dynamic with the range of style I do. I believe when our art is dynamic, it is ‘alive’ because people can’t tell what we will create next. They will be surprised by something different and sometimes it leads to some new follower. When our art is a little bit unpredictable or hard to guess, that’s fun. Anyway, as an artist we have to maintain our main style also.

Svart sommerfugl: Personal work,Black butterfly.

Q5. You often draw "wings" on your artwork. Do you have a strong yearning to fly in the sky?

Wow that’s surprise for your observe! :) Yes I draw a lot of picture that include ‘wings’ in my art. Maybe it’s my subconscious mind; I always love the sky, love birds. So I include wings as an element often, although sometimes it’s not a real wing. It’s maybe graphical element that refers to wings. Wings are also a symbolic element that we can [think of as a] metaphor for ‘freedom’. I believe that in our life if we chose to follow a dream then we’re all like a bird, flying with freedom in the sky.

unreachable disorder world: Personal work,Vanilla and Moccha almond fudge.My original character.

Q6. If you draw an actual person (in history or in being), who do you want to draw and why?

I hardly draw actual persons, :) but some of my art is inspired from real persons such as models. Sometimes I don’t know their name. Anyway if you ask about who I want to draw. I love Asian-look beauty and bitchy characters, so then maybe ‘LIN QING XIA’ in the Chinese drama, ‘Asia the Invincible’ or Dongfang Bubai (東方不敗). She’s my favorite character because she’s a unisex character [that combines the] strong feel of men and delicate feel of women.

Q7. What do your friends and parents say about your personality?

Normally I'm a cheerful, confident, independent person and stand up for myself. When I love to do something I really concentrate on it. I love my friends and family a lot.:)

Q 8. Who is the person you most respect except parents?

Steve Jobs. I think he's role model in life from many ways. I love his speech, his level of creativity and the word ‘stay hungry stay foolish' is very real for an aspiring artist. I salute him for these words. If we have to decide something we should think about dying today or tomorrow. That's the way we can cut unimportant life choices. :)

Q 9. What is your favorite novel/movie/music?

My favorite novel is from children illustrator, Shel Silverstein, called The Missing Piece Meets the Big-O. Most of the time in our life we all find ‘missing pieces’ but if we can fulfill those missing pieces with ourselves that is time we’re fulfilling without need from others anymore. My favorite movie is V for Vendetta. I’m serious about politics so I’m very into this movie. My favorite music is Canon in D major by Pachelbel. It is used in wedding ceremonies but I think it’s sometimes sad. I always think about my family when I listen to this music.

Q10. We read your interview (at http://www.meisanmui.com/category/article/interview/) and you said your goal is to "publish and exhibit your art traveling around all over the world" and this is ultimate goal of every artist. What is your dream within the next 5 years?

AH, That’s a surprise. I’m embarrassed. Haha, thank you for reading :) I appreciate it! My dream (in the next 5 years at least or longer that that) is to be able to earn from drawing what I want without worrying about my financial status much. Next thing is to have my own art show in several countries. That’s my dream. Actually to live as a freelance illustrator is so hard. I have to think about what I have to do the next day, but I don’t forget, … I still believe in my dream about being artist. Although my current status is a ‘freelance illustrator’ and living by doing a lot of commercial art and have to satisfy target audience, sometimes this all makes me feel I lack some artistic sense. It’s a ‘missing feeling’. :) I hope in the next 5 years I can do better by doing my own art style and can earn my living from that. Today I still have to worry about my financial situation and doing a lot of jobs to pay the bills and support my family. But luckily for today, some clients commission me because they love my style. That adds fuel to me. For my short term goal right now I just hope that clients who commission me are ones who love and understand my style, and I can earn from drawing my own art. To live faithfully with worrying about finances can make our ‘level of creativity’ drop down, but as professionals we have to deal with that better! Anyway, I’ll try my best from today to make a better ‘next 5 years’ haha.

If you are planning any kind of activity, please tell us about it. Announcement is most welcome!

That’s so kind! I also love Wacom. Thank you very much. About my planning, I always keep updating my blog at http://www.meisanmui.com/ I also provide illustration service :) and open a little artshop. My next upcoming thing is releasing a digital painting artbook gathering Thai artists together.