Meet Don Tang: Illustrator and designer

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

Hi Don, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
This actually is a really good question. I’m a very curious person since I was a child, and I like taking risks. My biggest risk in my life is when I told my mom, if she won’t allow me to study art, I will just drop out from high school and do nothing instead. So my mom just have to let me do what I want back then. In China, a lot of strict parents are thinking art is not a proper career life to go with, and my mom was one of them. But still I choose art, and I made a career out of it. I’m glad my mom is becoming more and more open to my art life now. To me, I think everyday is a risk or say a challenge because I always want to try new things, like what kind of different material to mix together I can get a surprising outcomes, or like I never draw a skeleton unicorn before I might just try to do it now. Anyway, art itself is a risk to deal with every time I face it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have to say art is not an easy task. My art style has changed a lot compared to my old works. Like I said, I’m a curious person, when I saw something beautiful I want to figure out how they accomplished it. So I can improve my art in some way. Art is really important to me, it’s literally who I am in a way. So when I want create my artwork, I always think what I’m trying to say or show to others. I’m just putting myself out here and let people to know me from my art, that’s it. One thing I have to mention is, just go with your heart and do what you love. Let people judge you and you tell them to mind their own business. Just be yourself, like me. My art is kind of dark and edgy so what? Life is a tough annoying experience, but I still love it! I study in art, I love art and I learn from art!

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?
Well, to be honest, I’m a very simple woman besides my art. I love Belt line, I literally go there every weekend or any beautiful sunny days. The view is beautiful and all the nature smell of trees, fresh air everywhere. I love it! I’ll just grab my friends, walk to belt line, and enjoy our rest of day! Of course, we are drawing outside and have fun conversations, what’s more, there are a lot of restaurants near by. Never feel boring and hungry! 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’m grateful for all my professors in SCAD. They are kind to me and knowledgeable about art, most importantly they gave me a lot of guidance in my art development. And of course, my mom, allowed me to pursue my dream.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/don_tang_11/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Don_Tang_

Other: Tiktok：https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeWdWhSR/

Image Credits
©️Don Tang