“Leave your day job, chase your passion,” is a piece of advice we hear often. But despite it, many choose to remain on the safe path for the fear of failure and the unknown. However for Singaporean illustrator Yeni, this cliché turned into a life-altering mantra when she left her day job to become a full-time illustrator.
In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, she taught herself how to draw in hopes to transform her passion into a full-fledged career. The result? A vibrant and captivating journey that led us to her cosy abode in the heart of Tiong Bahru.
“I am a mum’preneur, and have always loved doodling and crafting but never got the chance to pursue it due to practical life reasons. Then the lockdown happened, which was a blessing in disguise for me because it helped me rediscover my true passion,” she shares.
Many grapple with the daunting prospects of taking such a leap of faith, but there were a few things that gave Yeni the push she needed. “There are a few reasons that gave me courage to quit my job. Firstly, my age (laughs). And the pandemic made me realise that life is too short for what-ifs. I also wanted to be a good role model to my daughters to show them that when you believe in something, you can achieve it. On top of all that, I am also lucky that my husband is onboard this dream of mine. He encourages me fully to pursue my passion, reminding me that if it doesn’t work out, at least I tried and found out,” she says.
Since 2020, Yeni has cooked up an outstanding portfolio. She has illustrated for several clients including National Gallery of Singapore, Temasek Shophouse and Uniqlo.
When we stumbled upon Yeni's delightful store, of course, her space was nothing short of a visual delight. But the thing that stood out the most was the fact that her illustrations were all dedicated to Singapore’s vibrant culture – from iconic Peranakan heritage houses, to our hawker food culture. When asked about the niche choice, she says, “We lived away for a good period of time and when I returned home to Singapore, I was looking for a way to contribute back to society. When my passion reignited during the lockdown, I knew straight away that drawing Singapore elements was my calling. There’s no better way for me to show my gratitude to our garden city, for all that it has provided for my family.”
It wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies though. Especially since she was not art-trained, it was a struggle for Yeni in the initial stages to execute her illustrations. But she believes in patience and practise to develop one’s unique style. “It takes time to develop your unique style. Oh, and refrain from comparing yourself to others. Everyone has different creative expressions,” she shares.
In times of an artist block and self doubt, she takes it outdoors to recentre herself. “When I feel uninspired, I go for walks while listening to podcasts. I remember this one line very clearly, it is almost my daily mantra – instead of using up energy on negative thoughts, use that energy to create. When you do something from the heart, the heart-work will show,” she says.
For those out there harbouring the thought to do the same, Yeni shares the best way to take the first step is to start out small, “Take small leaps and test the market. After a while, when you sense that the numbers make sense, then go for it. Once you are in it, give yourself a fixed timeline to monitor your bottom line. If it works, brilliant! If it doesn’t, it is not the end of the world, at least you tried.”
