Making Art
Lately I've found myself uninspired by photography. I know these ruts happen to all creatives, but it's concerning because this is a time in my life where I'm deciding what career to pursue after school.
Just two months ago I was crazy about photography, doing four photoshoots a week, and posting my work, and blogging about it. But soon enough, it got repetitive and I was (and still am) jaded. Besides the occasional photo repost by the model, I don't receive any acknowledgment for the art I produce, and it's really unmotivating. I didn't go to school for art. I'm just faking my way through it. There are only so many resources and guidance available at a polytechnic university. I don't know how to value my own creations or take pride in it unless other people show interest. So therefore I've lost interest.
The photography world is changing daily due to social media. Because that's where we seek validation now, and "popular" art is now apparently "good" art. It's a world where very young teenagers without formal art education can pick up a camera and become a photographer. And it's a world that doesn't make sense to me. It seems superficial and shallow. Everyone just wants to become viral nowadays. People no longer have to work their way to the top, and just create to please others. It's anything but art.
And I wanted to go into fashion photography, so badly. I've always loved fashion magazines and editorial spreads. But even fashion is being taken over by the social media world of "bloggers" and "influencers." Everybody and their mother is trying to sell products and lifestyles and themselves. And I'm just so tired of it. The fact that they've been taking over the fashion world, which comes from a rich history of art and garment-making, and turning it into #ootd's that no one can afford. And because of that, I don't want to get sucked into this industry. Because there are many more important things and problems in world than matching your coffee to your purse and shoes. Fashion is a profession. Personal style is not.
Anyway, I don't know what I want to do with my life. I want my career to be more meaningful than #instastyle #outfitpost #thatsdarling #fashiongram... If anyone's reading this, guidance would be great. Cool thanks, ta ta for now.
[Photos are some food photography I did for work recently that has inspired me and given me more pride that the portraits I've been taking. Isn't that sad? Clearly I need help.]
Throughout life, we go through seasons that ebb and flow, characterized by different wants, needs, priorities, and challenges. What would that look like mapped out?
This website has seen all the twists and turns of my career, mirroring my journey in all its messy splendor. I’m proud of that.
Learning about new tools, meeting colleagues IRL, and spamming downtown San Francisco with thousands of lime green tote bags at the biggest, buzziest design conference in tech.
At an early age, I learned how to write professional emails, mail invoices, appear older than I was, and convince real adults I was good enough for whatever job.
Learning Photoshop, buying a domain name, getting laid off, and other failures that defined my life and turned it for the better.
Being Chinese-American, I feel a personal connection to Guo Pei and many of the themes motivating her work. Her artistic approach is deeply rooted in her heritage and ever-evolving with contemporary fashion practices, her artistic innovation, and transcultural perspective.
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They enrich my perspectives, expose me to diversity and new opinions, and allow me to look at life and the human experience in new fascinating ways.
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Live everyday like you’re Elle Woods after Warner told her she wasn't smart enough for Law School.
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[Art] can reawaken us to the genuine merit of life as we're forced to lead it. It's advertising for the things we really need.
It's not about what you want and your tastes. It's about what others need and how you fill in that void by being professional and extraordinary in your services.
My website is "Studio Sophy" because it's an online art studio! Everything falls into the realm of my creativity and I have no limitations. So here I am opening myself up to that again.
Natural is beautiful. Authenticity is beautiful. Emotions are beautiful. Vulnerability is beautiful. Confidence is beautiful. Overcoming pain and hardship is so immensely beautiful.
This election definitely isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to you, and you can't let it destroy you, but rather motivate you to work harder for what you believe in. But more importantly, educate yourself. There's always more than you know.
AI this, AI that. Where does the human come in? My thoughts on the future of the design industry coming out of the 2026 Figma Config conference.