Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Mak.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I didn’t always know what I wanted to do with my skillset, to be honest. I just knew I wanted to make art. I’ve done caricature art at the Disneyland park, had a small business on Etsy (one of my products was featured on Buzzfeed!), and even taught art to students of all different ages for a while. Creating art was something that just made me happy.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been an easy road for me. For years, even though I loved creating, I’ve struggled with anxiety and crippling self-doubt from the art I’ve made and thinking it wasn’t “good enough”. It took me a while to figure out which path I wanted to take, all the while fighting the on-going “imposter syndrome” that myself as well as many of my fellow art friends also faced. It has taken a lot of kind, encouraging words from friends and family, as well as gentle reminders and motivation from my partner for me to realize that I’m too hard on myself and that it’s always okay to step back, take a breath, and change course if needed. That with a lot of patience, and setting small goals for myself, eventually I’ll get to where I need to go.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an artist that specializes in illustration and character design. I love being able to create fun, quirky characters as well as warm intimate little scenes in my illustrations that may remind people of their childhoods and good memories. It’s one of my favorite things when people tell me that my art makes them smile.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite memories as a child was receiving a particular Christmas storybook one year as a gift. Though the story or illustrations weren’t particularly detailed, it reminds me of family get-togethers for the holidays and simpler times. It’s something I’ve kept with me to this day so that I could look back on.
Contact Info:
- Email: Brendag.mak@gmail.com
- Website: https://bmakart.wixsite.com/brendamak
- Instagram: Instagram.com/BMak_Art
- Twitter: Twitter.com/BMak_Art
Image Credits:
David Hernandez
