1) Introduce yourself! Hello! This is Chantel, although I mostly go by the name "Funrin" on social media. As of writing this, I'm a full-time CG game artist in Singapore by day, and doodler / hamster slave by night.
2) Why do you do what you do?
I've always enjoyed drawing since I was young (actually it's a love-hate relationship). Almost every time I'm doing something, I always wish I was drawing instead. Either that or I'm thinking about the next piece instead of whatever is in front of me. It's hard to say why I do what I do, people don't question why they eat or sleep and that's the same for me and drawing. One of the best feelings in the world is getting into the flow state when I'm engrossed in a piece or just doodling. I probably sound like a mad lad right now haha.
3) Who or what inspires you?
Hmm, many things inspire me. Other artists (current big inspiration is cosmicspectrum on Instagram, and also my artist friends!), books I read (I love fantasy books with a side of romance), games I play, music, life etc. Inspiration is everywhere, it also helps to look around more.
4) How is your experience being a creator in Singapore?
This is just my opinion, but I feel that many things in Singapore are heavily influenced by trends, and this includes art styles and content. I shall leave it as that.
5) What do you wish would happen in Singapore to help creators?
I think Singapore has had plenty of conventions and art markets recently where indie artists can showcase and sell their works, and I think that's great! I just wish that people in game / animation / film companies can, uhm, get a higher pay. And that includes artists as well. For something relatively niche and studied intensely as a profession, it baffles me that artists' base starting pay for a degree holder can sometimes be lesser than some companies' intern pay.
6) What are your goals?
I think goals change as interest and life circumstances change haha. Art goals wise, I want to be able to illustrate book covers one day, the kind where it is mass printed and sitting in bookstores all over the world. Although I understand that some things have to begin small and can't be rushed. Of course, I'm still far from competent in general, and I'll continue to brush up on my skills and spontaneity slowly. Another mini goal is to continue to advance in game companies and make contributions to the ones whose games I enjoy and still remain ethical (I mean the company).
7) Where can people find and support you?
I'm @funr1n on Instagram and Twitter! You can support me on ko-fi (ko-fi.com/funrin) as well if you enjoy my content. Every support means a lot to me and I am grateful to all of you! Even requesting for commission work (when it is open) makes me very happy hehe.
8) Anything else you want to share?
Remember to stretch and hydrate and take breaks!
9) Give a shoutout to other local creators!
To the best boy (instagram.com/aziore), my friends Angie (instagram.com/angiefronds) and Kel (twitter.com/bunnyclvb), and The Super Secret Book (instagram.com/thesupersecretbook) for being a brave local author trying to realise their dream. You should give yourself more credit. :^) Please give them support and purchase their eBooks on Amazon / Kindle / wherever!
