Meet Zoey Kim, an introvert who lets her art speak louder than words. In her quiet moments, she creates bold, vibrant illustrations that tell stories brimming with emotion. Through her unique use of colour and characters, Zoey breaks out of her shell, bringing her inner world to life. In this interview, she reveals how she turns introversion into playful, colourful creations that captivate and inspire.
Can you tell us more about you and what you do?
I am a freelance illustrator from South Korea, currently living in Dubai, UAE. I was raised in Indonesia for 16 years before moving to Seoul for university. I made a swift shift from graduating in English Literature and Mass Communications to Graphic Design. Since then, I have been pursuing my dream of working in the creative field. Currently, I am happily working as a freelance illustrator and looking forward to expanding my work into various areas.
Every artwork tells a story. What inspired your cover design, what narrative or message are you conveying through your cover design, and can you share the creative process that led to its final form?
My personal drawings revolve a lot around the topic of cats, white sheet ghosts, and houses. Things that make you feel warm and fuzzy. And I guess this is where the inspiration for the cover began. I wanted to portray pure cuteness and joy in having friends beside you(possibly doing something mischievous). Just like the title, it’s a small midnight gathering with friends to make a magical potion. And you are all invited to join!
How does creativity connect to self-expression for you?
How does creativity connect to self-expression for you?I am an introvert and sometimes very socially awkward too. I think this played a key role in wanting to portray my emotions and thoughts. I wanted to break the boundary I had within myself and show the inner extrovert-ness by creating stories that give various emotions and the use of bold colours for my drawings.
How do you define your individuality as an artist, and in what ways does this uniqueness manifest in your creations?
To tell you the truth, I’m still overwhelmed to be called an artist. I think I still have a long way to go on accepting that part of being called an artist. But I am a happy individual, always thrilled to be drawing and be able to share it with everyone around the world. I could say that my uniqueness would go all the way back to my childhood years of loving art and creating it. The love I had for being a part in art seems to mold up my creations as an adult.
In your perspective, what role does creativity play in empowering individuals and communities, and how have you witnessed this power in action?
Creativity brings out various emotions and stories. I think it gives a space for everyone to express themselves, whether you are the creator or the audience. Also an artist’s work can become a huge influence on an individual and they can start a dream of become an artist themselves. I myself was inspired and motivated by amazing artists and the creative community. And this is one of many reasons that keep me going as an illustrator.
Have you faced any challenges in maintaining your individuality in your work, especially in the face of trends or external expectations? How did you overcome them?
I had a difficult time adjusting to which style of drawing I wished to pursue in the future. Mainly because I loved exploring various textures, colours, strokes, and so on. As I kept exploring different styles it seemed like I didn’t have a set identity. So I gradually tried to stick to one style: blurred and fuzzy. I’ve always wanted my drawings to be taken in with warmth and love, and I think the fuzziness seemed to go well with what I was pursuing.
What advice would you give to emerging artists who are trying to find and express their individuality through their work?
I guess never to lose the love for creating and imagining. There may be challenges along the way, and I think it’s important to step back a bit and try to find something that gives your creative brain tickle. For example, I love visiting bookstores and looking around the children’s book section. They give you so many creative visuals and stories. It’s like opening a Christmas gift not knowing what’s inside. This small joy I have helps me get back on my track and draw. Everyone will have that something special that makes them want to keep creating, imagining, and sharing their stories.
What’s the one thing you want to accomplish this year?
Read lot’s of books! It was always a no.1 list on my new years resolution and I never really kept it going. But it’s been going well so far and I am very happy to let my phone down and immerse myself into novels.
Where can we see more of your work?
Website www.zoeykimm.com
Instagram @zzoeykimm
