Meet Moishe Ham | Concept Artist/Illustrator

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

Hi Moishe, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
As much as I enjoy art, the main thing that fulfills me is holding space for people to get together for games, movies, and food. People open up about their passions and projects, and you become inspired by that energy. I also love the feeling when you complete a project. Art can be frustrating, but the fulfillment you get from the creative process and people who relate to your work is a feeling like no other.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I spent countless hours in my cave busting late nights to learn my craft. And rejections were a reminder to humble myself to get better. It’s not on anybody else but me to improve. I’ve been extremely grateful for every project I have worked on, and I sympathize with people who resent their jobs waiting for the weekend to arrive. I may talk trash about how terrible a project idea may be but I never complain. It’s the biggest privilege in the world to create and connect with others. You mean to tell me I wake up and have the opportunity to manifest my ideas into reality? That’s wild as hell. I also learned that you must live and experience life in all forms to create better songs, stories, and paintings. All this has led me to write and illustrate my children’s book. It’s some of the most fun I’ve had on a project and I have so much respect for writers because I find it very difficult. (Writing a cohesive narrative with character development is harder than painting, Change my mind.)

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
DTLA Arts District or downtown as a whole. There are tons of amazing food joints and random events, so you won’t run out of things to do. Goth bars and bar-cades are my go-to (Eightytwo LA, The Veil, The Lash Social, Jazz nights at The Continental every Wednesday). I don’t often go to these places nowadays because age has given me the wisdom to find solace in being a cave goblin in my home. I dwell in my altar writing stories, making Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, and painting. Honestly, game night at my place or a friend’s is WAY more fun than clubbing. So all you bar-hopping normies who want to experience that next-level high, hit me up and I’ll shadow-step over to be your dungeon master. Also, exploring the fringe parts of LA for graffiti spots is tons of fun. minutes will turn to hours, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re in a car or know how to get around all the spooks and specters who come out at night.
Note: If you ever wanted to know what it’s like being out in LA, look up the song The Freaks Come Out at Night by Whodini

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Big ups to all my friends and family. Shane, Simba, Eli, my grandparents, Glenn A, Jerome W, Patrick P, The Robinsons, Josh J, DK, Pharaoh, Reiko, Mo K, Tammy N, Jin P, Mitchell L, my cousins back east. and all my students who chose me to guide them. I’m truly honored and blessed to have supportive people in my life.
RIP Uncle Bob. Mitchell and I think about you every day.
PS: Always surround yourself with people who celebrate you not tolerate you.

Website: https://moishe.mystrikingly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moisheham/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moishe-ham-a01968b5/