Meet Isi Kim | Visual Artist

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

Hi Isi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose to pursue an artistic career path because I believe that the act of creation is what makes life beautiful and worth while. Living a life that is dedicated to mastering a craft or art form is devoting your life to a form of meditation. Creating illustrations and paintings allows me to focus on building a fantasy story or world where I find peace in escaping into my own imagination. Life is very short and we are very mortal beings, I realized that if I do not spend my time doing what I love then I will waste my life, and we only have one life. I could not imagine pursuing a career in an uncreative field, I do not think I could have the motivation to live in a rat race and do something that I do not enjoy doing. Growing up in Los Angeles has definitely contributed to me becoming an artist because I saw so much art and culture around me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is special to me because in the act of creating each piece, I learn new things about myself. It is about the journey and not the destination. I learn new things about myself when I watch the kinds of things I am drawn towards illustrating. My art reveals things about me that I didn’t realize previously. For instance, I like to fill up every part of some of my paintings with little scribbles of color; this is because of my Obsessive-compulsive disorder. I didn’t realize how obsessive I was in my art until I realized this pattern of wanting to fill in all the crevices of my painting.

I am most proud of my tattooing. I love tattooing because I get to put a lifelong art piece on the most beautiful canvas that exists, which is skin. Tattooing makes me give my undivided attention and focus to that canvas and person. I am so grateful for everybody that has received a tattoo from me.

A lesson that I learned along this path of studying and pursuing a career in art is that I must never let go of the art that comes from my soul. When you monetize your art it is easy to want to create art that you think other people will like, but it is important to create for yourself, create an important message that might help enlighten others.

I want people to know that dedicating your life to art is like gardening. The more energy you put into it, the more it gives back. It is like being in love, the more you water the flower of love, the more it grows.

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?
If I could show somebody around LA I would take them to the New Beverly Cinema. This is Tarantino’s movie theatre. It screens his movies every Friday at midnight. Going to see old movies is one of the best ways to have fun.

Another beautiful thing to enjoy in this city is the nature. The hikes in santa monica mountains are so beautiful. That along with the beach.

A good place to eat in LA is Canter’s Deli on fairfax, if you go there you should get a Mac-attack sandwich and a strawberry milkshake. Also go eat at Pann’s Diner in Hawthorne, they also serve great milk shakes and Pulp Fiction was filmed there.

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?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my Mom, my little brother and older brother. They are the people who have encouraged my art throughout my life and who inspire me to do better every day and to create. They are a huge inspiration to me. Seeing my little brother create jewelry and surf. Seeing my older brother create skate videos and vhs videos and surf, and hearing and watching my Mom play the pipe organ and piano so beautifully; their unique talents inspire me so much.

Instagram: @isi.kim