January Artist Spotlight – Louise Nguyen

Louise Nguyen, 19, is a fine arts major who has been selected by the fine arts faculty as January’s artist spotlight.

Nguyen was born and raised in Vietnam before moving to Texas her senior year of high school for an exchange program. She then moved to Washington where she now attends Green River College. Nguyen lives in Auburn and shares a home with other international students. She has been attending GRC for about a year now and is working on earning her Associate of the Arts as well as her Associate of Fine Arts.

After earning her degree at GRC she would like to transfer to either Savannah College of Art and Design or University of California because many people that have worked for Disney and Pixar attended those colleges.

Moving to America has given Nguyen more freedom in her art style.

“I dare do a lot of new things or even crazy things,” said Nguyen.

She had stated that living in Washington has given her art a contemporary look, which she felt wouldn’t have happened if she studied abroad. America has helped her embrace her own ethnicity and can make her feel different sometimes but seeing Asian art makes her feel at peace and feel like she is at home.

She has been interested in graphic design since the 10th grade. Nguyen taught herself how to use the program illustrator for her designs. She is also intrigued by animation, which she would like to pursue as a major along with graphic design. Using a tablet and a stylus she draws fan art of her favorite Disney characters in her free time.

When not working on her school work Nguyen is an intern for Sarah Gilmartin in her studio, continuing her education and gaining experience as an artist. When she’s not working on her art, she enjoys riding her bicycle and enjoying the beauty of nature.

Many of her family members at the start of this all thought of graphic design as merely a hobby but now, after they have seen her work and the impact it has, they are more supportive than ever. She had stated that this has been a very successful year because of her art work and the positive feedback it has received.

Nguyen felt that the class Artist Portfolio as well as many drawing classes have helped her to be where she is today. She felt that some classes other than art also helped her with her art works. She is currently taking a drama class to help her examine people’s behavior to use in her art. She also took a psychology and sociology class to understand the connection that people feel to art.

Nguyen is very passionate about her work. “I can see myself in the future doing this,” she said.

She can see herself in 20 years doing this career and that’s what makes her want to continue on this path in majoring in art and continuing to make it for many years to come.

Throughout developing her artistic style, she was greatly influenced by the education and expertise provided by a few of her teachers. Nguyen had stated that both Sarah Gilmartin and Cindy Small have counseled her on her works and her college career.

Nguyen wants to inspire people with her artwork. She has an artist she admires from her country named Tamypu that when Nguyen gazes upon her works she feels relaxed and inspired and that’s how she wishes people feel when they look at Nguyen’s art works.

When asked what advice she could give to other artists, Nguyen said, “Put your heart into it…if you love your art people will love it too.”