We had the good fortune of connecting with Angel Yang and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Angel, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by my curiosity. I think it’s the single most important thing in my creative process. My curiosity fuels me to learn about other artists, entrepreneurs, and mentors in my life. It encourages me to think deeper about everything I see and experience. This spirals me to research whatever catches my attention and everything I learn from that point on contributes to further exploration. I believe that everything I am exposed to enhances my inspiration and propels me to pursue bigger things.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe in self-expression and creativity. Creativity is crucial for human development and helps with other areas of your life. Expression is necessary in life and any form of art can be used to let out your inner world. Let’s Paint provides a space where you can learn how to paint with easy instructions while giving you room to be creative. I always loved art growing up but pursued a degree in Marketing due to lack of confidence in my ability to make a living from art. After graduating, I went to Korea to teach English for 5 years. There I learned many skills and took art classes. Naturally, I combined my passion for art and teaching by starting Let’s Paint. In conjunction, I completed a degree in Art Therapy. It was a steep learning curve to learn how to set up the ins and outs of the business. However, I sought help and researched in order to overcome challenges I faced. I learned to be persistent and to stick to my beliefs. I always valued the importance of providing a good experience that can be memorable for my clients. I want the world to know that Let’s Paint stems from my passion and I hope my classes enhance my customers’ lives in some way. This can give them a good memory to cherish, be immersed and away from their jobs in the moment, inspire them to continue to be creative outside of Let’s Paint.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the city, first, I would stop by In-n-out on the way from the airport. Then, I would take her to downtown for some coffee and take them to the Last Bookstore. Then, show them some art at the Broad. I would show them the Grand Central Market and take them up to the bench where you can see the city view that was in the movie, “500 Days of Summer.” Then, I would end with a few drinks at a rooftop bar in DTLA. Next, I would hit some hiking spots or take them for a drive at Mulholland Drive. Lastly, I would skip all the other touristy stuff and take them to some good restaurants in Los Feliz and Little Tokyo.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a Shoutout to my family. My sisters are so important me. I could not have made it this far without them. Also, I have so many great people in my life, that continuously support me and lift me up when I am down. Lastly, I want to thank my mentor, Jaeyun Lee, who is like a friend, mother, and teacher. She is the one who taught me that I can create the life I want.
Website: http://www.letspaint.us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letspaintla/?hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelyang/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letspaintla
Yelp: https://yelp.to/qTKq/8qgymN7gN9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM7bNQeMovXxpMbP9oiHUIw
Image Credits
only first photo in NY credits to ig @ziggysgd