Throughout a childhood marked by numerous school transfers, I, often too shy and awkward to easily make friends, struggled to fit into new classes. To ease the loneliness, I'd spend my breaks alone in the classroom, pouring my feelings into drawings on my sketchpad. Curiosity from classmates about my solitary activity eventually drew them to me, turning these drawings into a bridge to new friendships. This experience was my first realization of drawing as a form of self-expression and a tool for communication, embodying the saying, "Art saves lives."

From then on, whether it was adding drawings to letters for loved ones, creating artworks for friends' celebrations, or drawing to uplift someone, I found joy in drawing not just for myself but for others. This joy hasn't waned; I still see art as a connector between people, society, and myself. Given my preference for drawing for others over myself, the profession of an illustrator, who can draw for someone else's sake, feels like a true calling.

However, becoming an illustrator wasn't my first career path. Although interested in turning art into a profession, I lacked confidence in making a living from it alone and chose to acquire a more practical skill by studying design. After graduating, I felt the need for corporate experience and worked as a graphic designer for several years.

Illustrators and designers, while similar, specialize in different areas; illustrators focus on creating images, whereas designers use these images within larger visual concepts. Comparing it to cooking, if illustrators are farmers growing vegetables, then designers are chefs who turn those vegetables into dishes. My background as a designer has instilled in me the ability to enhance the appeal of materials, solve problems through visual representation, and convey information clearly and accurately. This approach to illustration is one of my strengths.

So, why did I transition from design to illustration? Many reasons, but fundamentally, I believe in the potential of art to connect people, a belief rooted in my early experiences. Even while working corporate jobs, I spent evenings and weekends drawing and started holding exhibitions. My love for illustration and a desire to work under my own name were stronger than I had realized.

The journey as an illustrator hasn't been smooth sailing. I faced repeated rejections from competitions and took a decade to establish a distinctive style. Now, more than 20 years into my career, I'm committed to exploring the art I love and finding fulfillment in serving others through it.

The potential of art is boundless. It transcends language barriers and eras, communicating with anyone, child or adult. My goal is to use this power to improve society and the environment, connecting people, objects, and the world.