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

Hi Ronnie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’ve been drawing a lot since I was four or five years old. I can’t help but being fascinated by the beauty of everyday life around me, and I never limit it to a single subject. Be it the nature, the people, the buildings, the crowd and the soul of the places, I simply embrace them all. I always wanted to be a painter too, however, growing up I realized this wasn’t the line of career I had the luxury to pursue so I decided to focus on graphic design instead. Only in the past few years, I made a return to sketching in traditional media; charcoal, graphite, and ink, and have been unstoppable ever since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work often takes the theme of nature and everyday life. I love to explore new and unexplored sites, having adventure while seeking for peace and silence to embark on an artistic process, especially using charcoal and graphite. My passion for drawing is my ikigai, a purpose in my life, a reason for me to wake up and smell the coffee, if not the roses, every day.

I think I just take one step at a time. I simply commit to drawing everyday, focusing on practice instead of perfection. I also think support from the art community and fellow artists help to make my way in this journey. I’m just glad to find my work has the opportunity to inspire others too.

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?
The best thing about Singapore is the nature so I’d recommend anyone to visit the natural parks such as Botanical Garden and Mount Faber Park. They’re hidden gems for artists to find inspiration and feel relaxed too. However, please make sure to check out the weather before you plan to go out. I’d also recommend the cultural and historical areas such as Chinatown and Little India where you can find interesting landmarks and activities.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank the art community and fellow artist who’s been very supportive of my works. The challenges in creative process are real but so is their support.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronnie.tan.sc

Image Credits
Ronnie Tan

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