art, activism, and navigating the freelance world with Utah muralist Ann Chen
meet Ann.
i think it’s safe to say that we can always use a little more creativity and positivity in our lives.
the work Ann creates is the perfect mix of both. while scrolling through Instagram, i was captivated by one of her posts, which seemed to jump off of the screen.
and i do hope you go check out her work - because whether she’s working on a graphic, dressing up a piece of toast, or painting a larger-than-life mural, Ann’s artistry is truly as special as she is, and i am so excited for you to get to know a little bit more about the person behind the scenes.
Ann is a Taiwanese American who encourages kindness and positivity through her actions in a truly authentic manner. everything she touches feels so warm, inviting, and inclusive to me; it was an absolute honor to spend some time with her.
whether you’re an aspiring freelancer or just questioning whether or not social media can ever be a positive influence on our lives, i hope that the conversation resonates with you in some way.
(and yes, if you are following Ann on social media, social media can absolutely feel good.)
Hi, Ann. I saw your work on Instagram, and was immediately drawn to the way you play with color, fonts, and textures. It’s crazy to think that what you share is two-dimensional, because your work seems to jump off of the page. When it comes to creating, I’ve always gravitated towards words, rather than art or illustrating. You combine the best of both. Have you been creative for as long as you remember?
Yes, I’m one of those people who say they’ve always been creative as a kid! I grew up in Taiwan and spent much of my childhood mesmerized by anime. I would draw the cartoon characters I saw on TV. My parents noticed my hobby so they enrolled me in art classes at a young age. After we immigrated to the US when I was 10, I continued to draw and dreamed of becoming a manga artist.
How did your love for art evolve into pursuing a Graphic Design degree at Utah Valley University? Was your family supportive of the path you chose?
I had no idea what graphic design was until a high school art teacher introduced it in a class that taught basic design programs. At the same time, I’ve been part of the yearbook committee since junior high and loved layout design and arranging typography and photos. My art teacher encouraged me to pursue design and it was a path I felt I could succeed at. I was still very passionate about drawing anime at the time but knew it would be difficult to make a career of that in the U.S. My parents have been supportive of my art since I was a kid, although my dad tried to persuade me into double majoring in business or something more practical. They definitely worried about my future and believed in the starving artist stereotype.
Some people will say that college, or academics in general, will teach you the technical side of art, but it can also impact your personal creative style in a negative way. Did you find this to be true?
It probably varies depending on the school. I didn’t have a particular creative style developed while I was in college. I was very open minded about different styles of art and design. I exposed myself to other people’s work by browsing online portfolio sites like Behance. Some professors focused on teaching the principles and rules, while others encouraged students to experiment.
Thinking of digital creators now, is professional study a necessity? In the world of YouTube and the internet, does college give you skills that self-teaching doesn’t?
College is definitely not a requirement for a career in the design/art industry in this digital age. I know many amazing self-taught artists on the internet. However, I’m glad I chose the traditional route. The number of online courses I’ve bought and failed to complete is proof that without risks like deadlines, tuition fees, and grades hanging over my head, I’ll procrastinate and never meet my potential. The people I met in college were my peer support and a network of job opportunities. These are advantages that are harder to find through Youtube and self-teaching. I think self-teaching can be very successful if one is self-motivated and goal-oriented. I’m neither of those things!
That being said, what is something everyone should know how to do?
Ask for help when you need it.
Graduating with your degree, you worked for clients before becoming a freelancer. And you still work with clients, but you take them on rather than being given projects from an employer. How do you balance work that you feel inspired to create for fun with client work?
With a deadline and paid gig, client work will always be the priority over personal art for myself. If the client work is an exciting new challenge, the exhilaration and fulfillment can last days or weeks that I don’t feel the need to create for myself. I think my best personal work happens when I have a good lull from client work and can play without pressure.
Freelancing is an incredibly difficult path to take at times. What do you wish people knew about it, whether it’s the general public or someone wanting to be their own boss?
You must diversify your income streams. I learned my lesson this year when client work became painfully slow during the pandemic. Ramping up my online shop helped me keep my business afloat. Most artist coaches that I follow on Instagram preach the idea of having multiple income streams and they are absolutely right. You can’t rely only on client work if you want to freelance full-time.
What does a day in your life look like?
I start the day at 8am by feeding my two cats, Buddy and Boo, and the three community/feral cats that live in my backyard (they have names too). After I fix myself some breakfast and a matcha soy latte, I’ll head to my basement office to answer emails or pack shop orders. If I have a project with a long timeline, I’ll usually work in the living room with Netflix playing. I fix myself lunch around noon, and will take Buddy for a walk in the backyard with his harness if the weather is nice. I’m either working in the basement or living room until 4pm, then I start prepping for dinner. The rest of the evening is casual, I’ll work on personal art if I’m in the mood, or watch a show with my husband. We usually go to bed around 9 or 10pm. Not very exciting but I enjoy being home all day with my cats.
Something worth noting is that what you share on social media is free, and social media can be quite time-intensive. You have a shop and run your business, so you don’t necessarily rely on social media for income, but how do you define your role on social media as an artist?
Social media for me has always been like a digital journal and a way to seek and provide support for other artists like myself. I like to share my thoughts on the internet, whether it’s an issue I care about or struggles with freelancing, it’s comforting to find other people who can relate.
Speaking of social media, I love how you’ve curated a collaborative, inclusive community. You shout out other small businesses, women-owned businesses, and share the work of other artists, too. Do you find the lettering industry to be more inclusive, rather than competitive? Is this true of most art communities?
The lettering community is very inclusive. I think that’s the result of lettering channel such as @goodtype and industry leaders like Jessica Hische, Lauren Hom and Becca Clason. They encourage “community over competition” and share their knowledge through free and paid content. I’m not familiar with other art communities but we are very open about pricing and business advice. It’s ok to have boundaries and be protective of certain information, but helping beginners understand pricing helps our industry as a whole.
It’s important to remember that other people’s success doesn't diminish yours or take opportunities away from you.
What led you to evolve from the digital graphic design space to also creating in-person murals?
I didn’t have any intention of painting murals, the opportunity fell on my lap when a local artist recommended me for a project she was a part of. I said yes even though I had never painted murals before. It was rewarding to see my art on a larger scale outside of pixels on the computer. I came from a fine art background so it felt good and familiar to work with real brushes and paint that I haven’t touched in years. This opportunity led to more murals and I realized it was a unique offering that I can offer and make myself known as a muralist for office spaces in Utah.
How does your process change for big projects, like murals, from what is viewed in a print magazine, or on a screen that’s the size of your palm?
For murals, there’s more logistic planning involved like making sure I buy enough paint, have access to the site during certain hours, and sometimes hiring assistants to paint to meet a hard timeline. Other than that, every project goes through the same creative process of being sketched digitally on the ipad and goes through rounds of feedback and iterations before arriving at a final design in color.
There’s creativity in everything you do - even your toast lettering, which I love. What influences or inspires your work?
I’m inspired by artists who make art out of personal experiences and current issues like Gemma O’brien and Lisa Congdon. Seeing how they use their artistic voice taught me to stop lettering random pretty quotes from the internet, and to start creating work that is authentic and expressive of my own experiences and emotions.
Living in Utah and being a Taiwanese American, how does (if at all) location and culture influence what you do - whether in the art you create, how you interact with clients, or the way you see things?
Utah is a conservative state with a religious majority and small pockets of progresive communities. Even though I don’t share the same beliefs, the culture has an impact in how I interact with people and present myself online. I don’t swear on the internet and some topics are off-limits. It’s so weird but I don’t want to offend anyone even though most of my followers are not based in Utah.
Do you ever struggle with perfectionism, or being unsure if a project is ‘done’?
All the time. I especially struggle with color and can spend hours messing with it. When I’m painting, I have to remind myself that murals are meant to be enjoyed from a distance, not scrutinized up close. Otherwise, I’ll try to fix every crooked line or flaw that bothers me but will go unnoticed by others.
The content you post is also extremely timely and relevant. Some artists use social media as a public portfolio and keep it at that, but how important is it for you to use your platform and your art to spread awareness?
It’s very important to me to make art about challenging issues of our time. It’s more from a personal need to redirect feelings of hopelessness and frustration than determination to spread awareness. It’s very difficult to change people’s mind through art on Instagram, but it can be comforting to find art that shares your views.
Are we moving towards a time where activism is a necessity on social media platforms, rather than self-motivated posts?
I’m not sure. I follow mostly artists and I feel everyone is still creating content that is self-initiated. Digital activism can be so fleeting. The impact is stronger when we self-educate, donate, and participate offline.
I agree. Regardless of what the world is going through, your work has an uplifting, positive tone to it - whether it’s through the bright colors you use, the sun catchers you sell, or the positive quotes you share. This year has been dark in some ways. What gives you hope?
Trump no longer being our President gives me hope, even though our country has much work to do.
On your site, you mention that you believe in the power of words, and I completely agree with you. Thinking about all that has happened this year, and the weight that words hold, what is something you want people to remember as they look back and also look ahead?
“May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears.”-Nelson Mandela. An artist (@rachel_e_lettering) on Instagram lettered this phrase and it resonated with me as I think about the decisions I’ve made this year that stemmed from my fears and hopes. Fearful decisions gave me more anxiety and stress while hopeful choices led to more positive outcomes. It’s certainly something to remember and practice as we move onward.
seven questions with ann chen:
I can’t go a day without… sadly, checking my phone.
Everyone should read… Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Life is better with a little… KITTEN
Everyone in their 20s should… be ok with going to restaurants, concerts, and movies alone
One insider thing to do in Salt Lake City… Visit the cherry blossoms at the state capitol building every spring
What the world needs right now is… more empathy
One way to spread love is… give without expecting something in return.