Meet Kejun Wang | Concept Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kejun Wang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kejun, why did you pursue a creative career?
Like many other artists, one of my favorite pastimes is doodling in textbooks. I would either use correction fluid and markers to overlay portraits of historical figures or create flipbook animations in the corners of the books. Unfortunately, the notion of earning a living through drawing figures seemed impractical to my Asian parents. When it came to choosing a college major, my parents strongly opposed the idea of pursuing a career in art. Reluctantly, I spent two years in science classes like Linear Algebra and Analog Circuit before deciding to drop out and delve into learning the fundamentals of art. Eventually, I landed a job as a concept artist for video games. I recall a popular saying that goes, “Don’t turn your hobby into work,” but fortunately, I have not found it to be true in my career. Instead, I genuinely enjoy my day-to-day tasks and rarely dread Mondays. For now, I envision myself continuing down the path as a creative professional working in entertainment mediums.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would say that one aspect of art that excites me is the utilization of graphic shapes and colors. I often strive to maintain the abstract nature of simple visual elements in my art. This approach sometimes enhances the visual impact and makes them more legible from a distance. During my time in art school, I recall struggling with mastering perspective and rendering skills. After some challenges, I made the decision to focus more on developing what I was already proficient at—line works and flat colors. I constructed my portfolio around the same concept, and they contributed to making my works more distinctive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friends wish to spend a day surrounded by nature, I would love to guide them through the Pelican Cove Park area, where has delightful coastal trails and stunning ocean views.

For friends with an interest in quirky artistic attractions, I recommend a visit to Luna Luna – Forgotten Fantasy, situated near the Art District in DTLA. The exhibition showcases a collection of pieces from the world’s first art amusement park, created by renowned artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring.

I will also take them to LAB Anti-mall and The Camp mall in Costa Mesa, where they can explore stylish local coffee shops and vintage clothing stores.

Last but not least, when it comes to food, choosing a favorite from LA’s diverse array of restaurants is challenging. Depending on my friends’ preferences, I might start by taking them to Pakwos Kitchen in Santa Ana for its authentic Chinese coconut chicken hotpot, or perhaps try Vietnamese seafood at OC & Lau restaurant.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I’d like to give a shout-out to my high school classmate, Xiaoze, who spent months trying to convince me to drop out of college and join a Manga studio with him to pursue art. Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to my family for supporting my studies in the US. I wouldn’t be who I am without their support.

Website: https://kejun.work/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kejun.work/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wangkejun/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kejun66

Image Credits
Personal artworks by: Kejun Wang