Check Out Lina Kimbap Shaman’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lina Kimbap Shaman. 

Hi Lina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I’ve always had creative juices flowing in me since I was little, and I became obsessed with Photoshop when I was 14. In 2012, I had my first opportunity to create a t-shirt design for Google Korea and I was stoked to have my artwork selected for mass production. I watched a few tutorials and taught myself how to use Illustrator for this project. Fast forward to 2015, I was offered a job in San Francisco, so my husband and I said, ‘hell yes!’ and we moved to California from Ohio. I found a ton of inspiration from everything California had to offer: exotic plants, the ocean & beaches, abundant sunshine, cannabis culture, etc. I had a standard lunch break, so I started doodling during that time. It helped me decompress from work and quickly became my routine. Since I was doodling every day, I had a ton of sketches and I started converting them into digital art. I posted some of those on social media, and I was over the moon to receive so much support & positive feedback from my family, friends & coworkers. In 2018, I launched Turtle Heights as a destination for products featuring my designs.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I started Turtle Heights, I had a full-time job. I used any leftover time to work on my business & art. In 2020, my workload increased significantly, and I was spending more like 50 – 60 hours a week plus there was a raging pandemic. I felt burnt out after a while, and I was depressed because I had no time for Turtle Heights & art. It was a dark time as I decided to fold Turtle Heights for a bit. In 2021, things changed. My husband and I quit our jobs to make our move to San Diego where we have family. With the support from my husband, I had the best opportunity in my life to make art my career and commit myself full-time to Turtle Heights & art. I feel rewarded & grateful every day, and I’m learning & growing by tackling different types of business challenges.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an artist specializing in graphic design/illustration. I started off with a small collection of stickers, posters, and shirts in 2018. Now I’ve expanded my collection to pins, patches, prints, and other accessories with a bunch of retail shops carrying my products across the US. My goal as an artist is to continuously explore various media and create art that makes people happy. I recently started working with polymer clay, and I created  limited collections of earrings. Be on the lookout for more clay jewelry & trinkets like trays, magnets, and roach clips in 2023!

The work that I’m most proud of is a collaboration I did with Bratbox (subscription box service). I was their featured artist, and I delivered 4000+ pins & patches with 10+ designs.

I also now work with businesses offering Graphic design services for all kinds of budgets for logos, custom designs, and more!

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I was born in Korea, but I spent a good chunk of my childhood in Scotland obsessing over the Spice Girls (when they were totally rad back in the ’90s). I used to have a thick Scottish accent that threw people off. 

Pricing:

• Stickers starting at $4
• Pins & Patches: $12
• Prints & Posters starting at $19.50
• Handmade clay earrings starting at $20
• Graphic Design services, logo design and more starting at $200

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.turtleheights.com/
• Instagram: turtleheights
• TikTok: turtleheights
• Other: Portfolio: https://turtleheights.myportfolio.com/