Welcome to My Artistic Journey!

Hello, beautiful minds! I am Suhn (also known as Lucien to close friends), a passionate artist based in Sioux City, IA. Art has always been my way of exploring the world and expressing what words often cannot capture—emotions, ideas, and moments that demand visual attention. I am thrilled to share my creative journey with you through this blog.

In My Early Years…

In order to properly introduce myself to you, my dear reader, I should begin with telling you the story of how I got here. My journey as an artist began long before I even knew it was happening. Like most average joes who are passionate about art, I have been creating images for as long as I can date my memories back; the urge to reach for a paint or marker has always been present.

The first canvas to lay victim to my creative strokes were the walls of my childhood home. I bestowed my wrath upon the wall outlets with a nail polish of a deep, sophisticated red. Aside from the common permanent marker scribbles on the wooden trim, the walls were adorned with the first marks of what would begin my creative odyssey. I like to think that the walls had brandished a much more amicable character after surviving my careful touch.

In result of these actions, I’d like to think that I convinced my elders to equip me with the proper materials to indulge in my creative antics; The usual children’s toys, such as wooly willy, magnetic drawing pads, or just magazines and newspapers- anything I could get my hands on would become an amusing drawing activity for my young self. The world became my playground.

Moving on to years ahead, any school activity presented to me that involved coloring or drawing became an activity that immediately caught my interest. I was always eager to complete these assignments, to lose myself in a blissful daze of whatever my imagination desired in that moment. The sudden twists and turns my ideas would take were a feat that my classmates were not yet ready to feast their eyes upon. I knew that the completion of my assignments would be a treat to all I would present my projections to.

I always recall comments and jests towards my artistic skill, and at the time, I didn’t quite understand why. “Why don’t you come draw for me in my classroom!” My primary school teachers would boast. I didn’t yet realize at the time how exceptionally adequate I was at drawing with my brain, as well as my eyes, at that age. You can draw what you see, or you can draw the best that your imagination can conjure. If you are persistent, then both can in fact be possible.

From Comics to Portraits: A Growing Passion

It wasn’t until I began indulging in Japanese comic books that I had found a passion for really teaching myself how to draw. My love for art took a big leap forward upon discovering this. To specify, I found inspiration in Masashi Kishimoto’s artworks, particularly from his famous series, “Naruto.” The detail in his work blew me away—his anatomy, shading, and intricate backgrounds were mesmerizing. I spent hours copying his characters, learning to appreciate the discipline and effort behind his craft. My notebooks, reciepts, and even homework margins were filled with sketches.

Even though I had read other manga comics before, I found the characteristics of the faces that Kishimoto drew, the perspectives and even the stylistic detail of all backgrounds and buildings, to be absolutely fascinating. I befell my love for literature as I would look forward to each novel release at my local Wal-Mart; partially for the progression of the storyline, but more so to linger on each page for at least 30 minutes a piece, observing and admiring the artwork of each and every panel.

As an elementary school student, I was so admiring of his talent that I drew many of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto characters over and over, admiring his artwork and aspiring to be as talented in that direction as I could be. I even felt so obliged to post my drawings on Youtube. At ten years old, the likeness of his characters became so easily to me. Much so that I began to doodle on the edge and back of every worksheet. Every napkin, scrap, and journal cover was a place for me to leave a doodle. A mechanical pencil was always in my hand, and drawing had become my occupation.

It wasn’t until soon after, upon entering middle school, that I discovered the confusing reality of differing artistic opinions forced by my upcoming art instructors. I quickly grew frustrated with the limitations of structured lessons. Why did art have to fit into someone else’s idea of what was right or wrong? My desire to experiment, to explore my own ideas and methods, grew as rapidly as a hot air balloon eager to rise into the air, but alas could not due to constraints. It was a challenge, but it forced me to think about what kind of artist I wanted to be.

Unknowingly, and without hesitation, I signed up for any and all available art classes. Although I was happy to have my hands on an array of creative mediums, I was disappointed by the constriction of their expectations. Assignments were given with their intended precise outcomes. Techniques and images that were pleasing to my eye, were a mark off my grade to their eyes.

As I type this, I flash back to a memory in elementary school: I wanted to give my handwriting an aesthetically pleasing flair, so I left the dots off of my “j’s” to give it the fanciness that only a second grader such as myself could distinguish. I waited eagerly in line, hoping for acknowledgement of my creativity. I was realized with disappointment as my teacher glanced over my paper, and with swift markings of her pen, every letter of that sort had been a mark off of my overall score for that assignment.

This led me to large conflict within my artistic mind. Was the purpose of art not to grant one the freedom to explore and express where their mind could wander? Surely if one was wanting a photo-finished perfection, I would be in a photography class instead. Being suddenly aware of these shackles became a challenge rather than a restriction, with that challenge being to simultaneously earn a passing grade, while learning the foundations of art, while also preserving my own identity in creativity.. and perhaps my dignity. I decided continued participation in every art class I could every year forward.

High School: The Freedom to Explore

My senior year was a turning point. This is where I first tried photorealism, pushing myself to refine techniques like blending and layering acrylics. I learned how to create depth and realism, moving away from bold textures toward something more subtle and nuanced. It felt like I was discovering a whole new side of my abilities.

High school had at long last offered me the creative freedom I craved for so long. With access to supplies without limitation, I dabbled in different mediums- paint, clay, and other miscellaneous forms of mixed media. Constrained to paper and pencil prior, I was ready to explore what could be done with colors- and at that, colors that could produce works much more quickly than the patience that pencil drawings required.

Painting at any moment that I could, I produced painting after painting. None of these paintings with a subject in particular. I wanted to get my “thousand bad paintings” out of me. Therefore, each painting was attached to a goal to improve at least one skill. I became infatuated with surrealism and street art. Most of the time, I was just throwing around paint to see where my ideas could go; I was done copying others, never knowing what I wanted to paint, I knew that I wanted to develop my own touch somehow. My own originality.

Unfortunately, I found another limit that I didn’t even think to consider: the four walls of that classroom were not particularly interesting. My inspirations were narrowed down to what was inside my mind, and what I learned about from other classes. With that being said, as a young teenager without a whole lot of life experiences, I was at a stand still. I was not satisfied with the random figures and backgrounds I was painting, regardless of the improvement of my technique.

After taking all of the required foundational classes towards my senior year of high school, I resulted a class called “independent art.” Here I could truly paint anything I wanted, as long as a project was turned in each quarter. At last, I could stretch my wings and test the waters of my capabilities. With so many possibilities at hand, I realized that when looking at my portfolio, I had still much to improve from my freshman year in portraiture. That was the moment I decided to begin practicing photorealism.

In researching the techniques required to do this, I discovered how to take my blending to another level with acrylic retarder, and realized how much depth layers of paint could add to change the game of my image. Prior to this, I had been primarily an impasto painter, slathering on thick laters onto my canvas. There was nothing wrong with that art style and nothing I did not enjoy, except for the cost of supplies and my neglect of the newfound enjoyment I discovered in blending and feathering paint and skin colors. I was ready to once again try something new in order to keep things interesting.

Developing from Corn Kernel to Popcorn

After graduation, life was stocked up on curveballs to throw. As a young person searching for their place in the world, it feels staggering to endure your first few life changes. Like a jagged tower of Jenga blocks, I was teetering eerily on my own foundation.

News arrived that my grandfather, a dear father figure and important influence in my life, passed during the 2020 Covid pandemic. I was left feeling lost. My creativity was crushed, and so was my spirit. These circumstances did not stop my persistence in creation, but as most of you fellow creatives can relate, our sparks of ideas and creativity tend to come and go in waves. It never truly disappears, like a flame that dims but never goes out. I fought to swim against current and stay afloat.

Slowly but surely, I found my way back after four years, through both art and music. I’ve always loved writing lyrics, and so during one of those sparks of inspiration I mentioned earlier, I released my first official single. That small victory reignited my passion, reminding me that creativity is a journey with peaks and valleys.

Try as we may to practice diligently our artistic talent, the moment we create that what we are truly proud of, will have tendency to come when we very least expect it. For me, it felt as if I was waiting an eternity to feel that flow within me once more; the electric surge that grows as an idea pops into your mind like a stubborn bowl of kernels.

Suddenly, one kernel turns into a salty, sweet, and savory morsel of joy. “Pop!” Suddenly, another popcorn, or idea gathers, and like magic, your bowl is full of popcorn, and suddenly the lyrics for an entire song flow out, an entire painting is blended, or an entire image has been sketched and detailed. Compare it to a runner’s high, if you will, except we creatives are not allowed the grace to force this euphoria through hard work. Not directly, anyway. Instead, we must spend our time practicing our technique, learning as much as we can, and preparing for the moment that the kernels of creativity finally begin to show themselves.

So, yeah. As you can see, I was waiting for my bowl of popcorn. I wanted to create an artwork so magnificent that I would eat that bowl of popcorn while standing back and admiring my work.

Fortunately, after a couple of years of nonstop lyric writing (Did I mention before that I am a musician as well?) I produced my first official single. Oh, the work I had put it. I remember practicing my vocals every single day with every single moment I had available. I pushed my limits. If my voice became strained, I would tire my ears producing sounds.

I have always been the kind to give myself rest through working another key component of the bigger picture. Think of it like split-workouts. In the case of my routine, legs (the foundations) everyday, while alternating the smaller muscles (supporting skills of the bigger picture.) Repeat weekly. In the case of creativity, we work the muscles of the brain, but at times, our bodies too.

Discovering Community

Being part of the Sioux City art community has been a huge source of inspiration. Events like Art Brawls, where artists paint live in front of an audience, pushed me out of my comfort zone. These experiences helped me grow not only as an artist but as someone who can share their work with others confidently.

I’ve met many amazing people through these events—artists who inspire me and challenge me to think differently. It’s been a reminder that art isn’t just about solitary creation; it’s about connection, dialogue, and growth.

I participated in two Sioux City Art Brawls after observing the first one, where I was struck with deep inspiration. If you’ve never heard of such an event as this, it’s quite straightforward: thirty minutes, a ring of artists, primary colors only, and one (surprise!) word to base your painting off of.

Under these conditions both my capabilities and confidence were contested. The event brought forth feelings of adrenaline and nervousness that, to my surprise, quickly simmered down into a steady focus. The brawl was comprised of competition, camaraderie, and quick wits; an experience so wholly new to me that there was no choice but to adapt on the spot. It was sink or swim! To discuss the experience with fellow artists afterwards was the sort of engagement I unexpectedly needed most.

Recall the feeling of learning a new hobby. Once you are finally advanced enough to partake in that hobby in public, you are finally able to greet someone who also enjoys that very same interest. What joy it brought me to finally be able to discuss a lifelong passion with other people. I had the opportunity to openly socialize with artists whom were both more experienced than me and yet also others who had never painted before. It was both humbling and insightful. Night(s) to remember indeed.

The Next Chapter: Sharing My Art with You

Moving forward, all of these events and everything in-between created the propulsion that pushed me towards where I sit today- here, writing to you! I now work out of my recently acquired art studio based in Sioux City, IA and am at last gracing myself with the freedoms to fully immerse myself into the one activity that has consistently brought me joy throughout life. So once again, I must reiterate: I am very excited to traverse the pages of this blog with you!

Why now, you ask, did I decide to procure this corner of the web after everything that has happened in my adventure thus far? Well, after a many trial and error with attempting to post consistently on social media, I grew tiresome of it. After an inconsistent pattern of posting weekly and then falling off of it, it was just.. so.. boring! Select photos, come up with a caption, try to keep your engagement up. I am not a robot! So I have decided that while making use of my passion for writing, I could chance at developing friendships rather than followers. (If you have read thus far, that’s you!)

Here I plan to share all of my creative antics- paintings, photographs, drawings, short stories, ideas, tips and tricks, how to’s, short films, travel documentation, and more.. My creativity knows no limits, and my art knows no boundary. I am so very grateful to be able to afford the opportunity to exercise yet another medium here, all the while being able to share it with others such as yourself. Whether you’re an artist yourself or someone who simply loves creativity, I hope you’ll decide to join me on this thrilling adventure. There’s so much to explore, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

Keep in Touch!

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback is so important to me and helps guide the direction of this blog. Please feel free to share your artistic journey in the comment section, or let me know what topics you’d like to see covered here. What sparks your creativity, and what kinds of art are you most passionate about? Let’s keep the conversation going and inspire each other.

Art can be a lonesome process, but without likeminded people surrounding us, there would be no one to admire creativeness and art alongside us. If your creative spark is dim, may the breeze to ignite you flow from any direction unsuspectedly. Never limit your capabilities or deny yourself the opportunity of this connection.

Let’s inspire each other to keep making, dreaming, and exploring art beyond boundaries.

Sincerely yours with utmost love and care,

Lucien

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