Today we’d like to introduce you to Tran Nguyen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tran. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a kid in the 90s, I grew up watching the classic Anime shows such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Bubblegum Crisis and Serial Experiments Lain. Surrounded by all of this magical art, I decided to pursue art after high school and enrolled at Savannah College of Art & Design.
After graduation, I took my first steps into the fine art scene and slowly paved my way through the gallery industry. I started showcasing in small group exhibitions at ThinkSpace gallery in Culver City, CA, which escalated to larger shows then ultimately to having my own solo opening.
While painting for galleries, I found my footing in commercial illustration and began creating visuals for published media including books, magazine, advertisement companies, and television. One of my most treasured projects is the #3890Tigers campaign, launched by Tiger Beer and the World Wildlife Fund. The objective of the campaign was to bring together art and technology to fight illegal tiger trade and spread awareness to the decimated number of wild tigers left in the world.
Currently, I’m working as a freelance artist, doing a mixture of gallery, illustration, and mural projects.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s definitely been a lot of speed bumps along the way. My family isn’t well off so the first speed bump was affording SCAD, which was made possible by the generous scholarships that were offered through the school.
The first years of my professional career were the most difficult. I learned what I know now mostly through trial and error. Starting out, I didn’t possess a solid portfolio nor was I established enough to be noticed by art directors. These early years were dedicated to clocking in at the day job then honing my art technique in the after hours. Dedication and thick skin are what helped me push through hard times before I was able to stand on my own feet as a full-time freelance artist.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a freelance artist most known for my softly rendered paintings of whimsical women and their melancholic dreamscapes. My paintings are made with delicate strokes of acrylic and colored pencil on paper, and often possess an air of fantasy and surrealism.
I illustrate for published media, creating book and magazine covers, as well as brand packaging. I’ve worked with clients such as VH1, Amazon, Smithsonian magazine, Bloomberg, and Netflix. I’ve also exhibited with galleries across the world, creating original works of art for purchase. Recently, I’ve ventured into the street art scene and have painted large-scale murals in Hawaii, China, and California.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe dedication and resilience have led me to the career I have now. Visual arts is an extremely competitive industry, especially with the turbulent demands of being a freelance artist.
I think a lot of my will to push forward is attributed to my parents. My family grew up in impoverished conditions in Vietnam, living in a metal-roofed shack with dirt floors. In 1990, we were given the opportunity to come to the States so my parents decided to leave everything they knew and loved to move to this foreign land so that my brothers and I could have a better future.
In the decade after we settled in the States, I saw my parents make a lot of sacrifices and work extremely long, hard hours so I could get an education they never had and pursue my passion for art. In witnessing this, it’s shown me what hard work really looks like and has taught me to never give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mynameistran.com
- Email: mail@mynameistran.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mynameistran
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mynameistran
- Other: www.patreon.com/mynameistran
Image Credit:
Artist photo by Pete Ulatan.
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