I'm an artist too. I believe if I had a partner that shares the same passion things would become really fun. I've seen it happen to all of my friends (who are all artists too). The relationships where both are artists bloom and thrive like no other.

Pros have to struggle through details too, Regardless of how years of experience one may have, there is no "cruise control". The learning never ends, and the industry continues to evolve. Good of you to share.

Having to constantly worrying about not being good enough can really prevent someone from doing the things they used to enjoy, especially after being hurt with lingering trauma. It's just inspiring to see your dedication and passion shines thru the doubt and fear, especially with the emphasis of now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I recently made the leap of doing freelance as a career. I work but at my own pace. I would much rather do what I love and be happy than waste away at some dead end job. For context I used to be a corrections officer and I just finished a private security contract in September. I’m much happier drawing and creating full time than what I was doing previously. Also I’m extremely thankful to be able to do this I know not everyone can and yes I know it’s not easy I started drawing very late in life. But yes to this entire video

Siya, thank you for your transparency. If I could be for a moment… I used to love drawing growing up and always wanted to pursue a career in comics. I’m a comic collector now and love reading them. But I lost the joy of drawing for a while and I’m now 33. I feel like to start drawing now is starting at a 5 year old level and needing to learn so much. I feel shame at sucking so bad and not being able to draw what I want because my skill set isn’t there yet. I know I’m not old but I feel like I should’ve stuck with it and practiced years ago and today it’s hard finding that joy starting up again even if I’m bad for a while. Thank you though for being vulnerable and sharing your life.

May God Bless you, I love your art style. Always have. Prayers for you

Well done. Nothing boosts confidence in arts like cracking down on a watercolour. It's like defeating Medusa, or Kraken, or Galactus.

Nice video I like seeing different countries like that. I like the painting that you did of cat woman to

Calendar marked, alarm set, notification checked!

I stopped/quit drawing for a long-time now but I remember I went with my friend at a comic convention and at that time she was involved in the comic/publication business. When she introduced me to her freelance friends who already got their own comic/book publications wanted me to make a comic and would help me publish it. I have been inconsistent in drawing so i ended up kinda-indirectly declined😅. Going back to that made me realize in my earlier years even before that convention that I wanted to write and should have at least been sketching every once and a while.

Thanks for taking us with your journey Siya!

A good model shop or comic book shop or art supply store, even a proper old hardware store is a special place. Really like that Catwoman piece. Great video

Thank you for sharing this. Amsterdam is beautiful. I always look forward to your work and appreciate all you do. Now if I can just find that Catwoman print :). Take care!

I couldn't watch this video at the premiere time because I am in Chicago for work on a trial, but just watched it back at my hotel room. I don't know if I'm just exhausted and have been ruminating about my career, but the introspective nature and emotional side of this video really hit home. Especially the part in Delft and the end. I truly appreciate you sharing your journey with us and I look forward to these videos. I don't know you, but I feel like you are doing the right thing in focusing on your creator-owned work of Neo Wonderland and I believe that will be an important inflection point in your career. With the state of the comic industry, people are craving something authentic and original...I think you're going to have a lot of support with that project. This video makes me think about my balance of my career that pays the bills and my writing hobby and it makes me want to give my writing more of a chance to take hold and give it enough attention to create something special and not just use it as an escape from the real world. Thanks for the introspective moment and I look forward to the next update on Neo Wonderland and the manga. Happy to hear that you feel that all the effort and time you have put into your artistry has been worth it! There are big and bright days ahead.

really enjoy your videos and this one in particular. Genuine and authentic. Love Amsterdam. Need to take a European trip next few years. Love the old country. Keep at it with your film production company. You are truly doing what you enjoy and that is what is best in life. Best, Tony (AGL)

Thank you for this simply beautiful video! "life is bitter sweet" Jack Kirby,,,, yes work is work, change is important I recently had a wake up call about directions to go in my life. it is scary lol and exciting God bless you for your honesty, you da' bomb!!!

I really enjoyed this. Web developer, comic book artist, good luck with film production. ❤

Thank you for a genuine, thoughtful reflection on your part in "the industry". Due to some hard choices I was forced to make, I had to leave being an inker 4 years into my career. It was a dream come true, getting to work for the big 2 on some great books. Now I'm married with kids (wasn't at the time), and I've wanted to get back into comics ever since, but felt so completely lost - especially with so much change in the comic industry, and an inker's place in it. It's really great to hear about your journey, and your thoughts. Thank you. BTW - those watercolors are absolutely beautiful!

I really appreciate you sharing both your process and your struggles. It was also very inspiring to see some of what you experienced in Amsterdam. Great video, thank you.

your videos and commentary on your experience in this life really brings a warmth to my heart. thanks for making all the things you do and sharing them with everyone. it means alot.

As always a beautiful, intimate and Enlightening video! I took screenshots of the beautiful scenery. I love your journey! I hope you succeed at all you desire and more!!! You’re an Amazing artist but an even more beautiful Soul. 🙏🏾🤙🏾👑

What a beautiful episode Siya 🎉👏🏾 💎. I felt the emotion in this style of filming. Congratulations on your filming company. I would definitely hire you guys to produce my art journey in the future. This was so cool. And you made that mixed media paper work like a pro (as always) smile 😃.

Awesome video to inspire universally to "keep going" for your dreams! Can't wait for your book Siya!

The fear of artist is for days without any artworks. Comics bookstore are like treasure house. I wonder if locally in my country, Singapore, are there still comic book stores, these are real gems. Draw your own comics for once, you can control.

Siya your message is inspiring. I too am a web designer who sidelined their art passion a long time ago in order to make a living, and I’m trying to get back to it. Artists like you who share their stories and their struggles makes me feel like I’m not alone.

Looking forward to this one!

Thank you, inspiring, encouraging, and spoken from the heart and soul...for the art and loss personally experienced by you, the beauty and pain of a life lived.

This video is breathtaking, from the absolutely beautiful shots and beautifully blended music and editing, to your amazing narration, everything was so well put together that it felt like part of a magical movie, amazing job!!

Fantastic content. Love these videos and your work. Inspiring to say the least.

Well needed! Thank you for your inspiration!

thanks a lot for sharing!

Immediately re-watched after the Premier... Such a beautiful, emotional, and inspiring video. It seems your trip was very successful and reinvigorating. Your passion and drive for not only your work, but for life... it hit me right in the feels! lol. This video really did feel like sitting down and having a fireside chat with an old friend.

Thank you so much for your precious videos, I can’t even describe how much you’re inspiring me with your work and dedication. I’m putting my phone down right now and grabbing an old artwork I drew years ago to paint it in watercolor ✨🖤💜

lovely video. following your dream is always worth it

Thanks for sharing more words of wisdom as a comic book creator. They mean a lot to people out there trying to make it. Sorry to hear about your mom BTW.

I am so inspired. God bless for this video and being a continuous inspiration.

those flower stills are beautiful. i also liked the lead in with you walking with the flowers.

Loved it! Amazing art, mind and soul. Take care!

I suscribed this channel for the art. I stay for the feeling...

Yeeeyyyy zurich my hometown 😃😃🎉🎉🎉💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

👍🏼👀👍🏼ahhhhh~ i remember our lunch together in Hawaii!!! Awesome to see you and John still together!👏🍻Thank you for your contributions to the world of art 🤜🤛 Best Regards, Chozen aka Ed

Stick around lady friend. I still havent bought all of your books yet. :) Enjoy the trip.

Siya I appreciate these videos SO MUCH!! I can't believe its been 10 years but I also remember discovering your art on Deviantart and Instagram in high school which was 10 years ago so thats pretty accurate! 🤣I understand all too well the feeling of overwhelm and perfectionism when it comes to lofty goals like being an artist or creating something like a comic or a painting. Sometimes the best thing to do is start, and with a "done is better than perfect" attitude. "If there some thing you love, them best time to start is right now" is the exact sentiment I want to hang on to going forward. Thank you 🥰 Hope to see you at a convention soon!

That was a awesome video Siya :) you rock!

Great video!

Thank you for this amazing video, as a very young artist who is just starting out and want to start doing my own stuff it felt really good watching your journey and insight through this really nicely captivated blog too! Thanks!

beautiful made video

amazing, very inspirational to finish my own project. lol

Nice video

My first intro to your work was Lola XOXO. I read it on Comixology I think. Good to see you still doing it as well as exploring other things

*All the best wishes and wonderful great success in 2024 - happy New Year, Siya!* 🌺✏️🖌️🚀

I had never even thought about how airplane cabin pressure could impact ink pens. Lesson learned, thank you! Regarding you setting up a film production company -it doesn't seem random at all. Your videos have an incredibly high production value and your point of view is both educational and entertaining and probably, objectively, the best artist-creatrd content coming from the sequential art space. It's clear that a lot of work goes into this channel, and I am thankful for that effort and the unwavering quality.

Drawing is life. It’s always worth it even if you’ll ever do is noodle around.

What a great ending

I believe it's still worth it. Im a comic book artist, too. I felt that way too about if it is worth it, but i think so.

Hey Siya... never give up.... ur amazing... go super saipan god... ull be fine... I got lefties super powers also... it's matt.. um... be ok.. we got it like whoa❤

I've always wanted to visit Amsterdam.... Maybe later idk... But yeah, Keep pushing pro, but take it easy too! Awesome premiere!

i went to uni in amsterdam, that store gives me good memories

Been following you since Asian Avenue!

I learned something new...

YES.

Can I be honest? It seems to me that you are living your dream. You do what you love and this trip seems really fun. Good for you! But, to me, you sound really depressed. Maybe it's just your voice or my impression. I've started as a freelance trainer seven years ago, and it was my dream to do exactly that. No, it's not always easy. Far from it. But every day I take take time to be grateful for what I've achieved and the life I live now. There's so many people struggling in life and not being able to follow their hearts. The fact that I can feels really special. I wish you success and happiness!

A very inspiring video, thank you for making it and sharing what it's like to be a professional artist. I'm curious about you branching out into film production. What do you mean by you started a film production company? What does that entail?

I found your channel through this very video for last 20 or minutes as of typing this comment. I’m curious what dominant hand are you? I’m a lefty actually. But I too have drawn or done some kind of something with art supplies mostly drawing or coloring in some cases even both.

I have several of your variant covers.

love these behind the scenes vids Siya, I was wondering what scanner do you use?

It was totally a ghost. 😂

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Back Cash Grab & long live The JACK Show!! 🤘🤘🎶🎶🎶🔥🔥🔥🔥

Your pens in your carry on or in the cargo hold will be just fine. Both are pressurized.

Turn up the gain in your video edit. That will make the audio louder. Thanks for sharing your insight on the biz and your journey.

Cat woman with a bunch of cats. Cool

Hi Siya! ✌️

Hi Siya I just stumbled upon your account. If i may ask are you khmer?

i have been drawing since i was a child. my skills and talent flourished as i got older. now at 41, working 12s in a mental ward after caring for dementia patients over 10 yrs, i want to become a freelance artist. my friends i used to go to school keep telling me i should be a tattoo artist or something. after watching this video, i feel that at this stage in life, i wana do what i love and that creating art. how can i start where we have lots of competition and different media outlets. i tried posting my work on artrenpaneur and instrgram etc. i feel like im going nowhere. your video touched me like no video here. any advice?

Is it worth it? - Better than being stupid worker at factory. Better than most jobs in humanity. Human physical art in the age of robots and AI will only increase in price and demand.

Can you tutor me for learn to draw?

It's worth it leftie like me.... it's always worth it.... it's Mathew marinello... the Italian makes me too gangsta

I think being an artist will pay more as the industry gets deeper into ai just like a 65 mustang, having an actual human made art will be worth allot more.

😄

I'd imagine the money in comics is selling your original art and prints more so than the paycheck from a comic publisher, the early 90's of being a comic book millionaire are long gone.

1.5x 🙌

Many comics at the convention but the work looks all alike..(station the camera and.Less talk and more creative work),... Thanks for the advice though...Sorry about your. moms transitioning....

How do you make enough money to live?

It's just oversaturated now. There are just too MANY artists these days. TOO many. With the internet, publishers just source work from ANYWHERE in the world! The artists only have to email in their work! And they've been outsourcing to third world countries like call centers do, where pay is significantly lower. That's why we see Big Publishers these days with artists from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. There's no shortage of talent. They all can do what Western artists can, and at a lower price!

It might be far more rewarding for you...if you started drawing/writing comics with a wider, more diverse subject matter. Rather than overtly drawing sexually objectified images of women for an audience of explicitly juvenile males.