Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Khruangsungnoen.
Hi Grace, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all began with a crayon… What started as a way for my mom to keep her toddler occupied quickly developed into an obsession. I would draw on anything placed in front of me and of course places that weren’t meant to be drawn on as well (I personally think the walls enjoyed being a canvas). This passion continued on throughout my childhood and teen years. During high school I had an incredible art teacher (Mr. Ryan Kelsey) that was able to cultivate a space in which the students actually felt cared for, listened to and encouraged to push ourselves. With this experience in some very formative years I felt more and more confident in my skills. Naturally when it came time to attend college, there wasn’t much else I could see myself doing except for continuing my art journey, so I did just that. Looking back, I’m so grateful my parents trusted and encouraged high school Grace to decide that her future was in art.
While I was at GVSU, it wasn’t hard to push myself, surrounded by such talented and inspiring professors and classmates. I was always seeking improvement – making mistakes, but never being discouraged by them, in my mistakes I often learned the most. I couldn’t stay away from the art center; I felt the most like myself there. The smells, sounds, and sights surrounding me filled me with such excitement and fervor. I LOVED SCHOOL. It was my job to create – the only thing I could do or wanted to do. Even in the moment, I knew how blessed I was that this was going to be the time of my life when I had the least worries and could solely focus on painting, printing, drawing, learning, and growing. And it was just that, the most creative years of my life to date.
Post-graduation, I have gone through times where I wasn’t creating nearly as much as I was during school, or sometimes not at all. When creating is not your sole purpose (as it was in school), other distractions get in the way… like figuring out how to pay the bills among all the other responsibilities that adult life brings. I’ve come to realize that no matter where I am in life, I will always want to create, and lately, I’ve been trying to figure out how I can pursue that passion while still providing for myself.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m willing to fight for my art career.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As expected nothing comes that easy or at least the things that are truly worth it don’t. I’ve had struggles along the way and I’m certain they will continue on as it’s a part of the process. I have had artist block, self doubt, burnout, feelings of inadequacy, perfectionism. I am also constantly seeking the feeling I had during college. I want the passion and drive that I once had back again. Although I know it will never look quite the same as it did then, I do know that it can come back–maybe better, just in a different way. I’ve also struggled with comparison while posting my art on social media. There are many reasons for this, but the main driver is the toxic way in which social media has evolved. This is not to say that all of social media is bad. I think it can also be very helpful and I am very grateful for the opportunities it has provided but it can create an unhealthy pressure to perform, to get a certain number of likes or views… the chasing of trends, the need to post consistently to stay relevant. Comparison has been a thief of joy and has been something I’ve been learning to deal with in a healthier way. These are relatable struggles that many artists feel and it can take a lot to break free of the negativity. But I’m hopeful and still excited by art. I am still learning about myself through it and understanding that in the times that I’m struggling I can give myself grace. I’ve also found it helpful to express these feelings to my friends and family, most of them being creatives themselves who understand the struggle and know how to offer genuine encouragement.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a printmaker first and foremost, but I love to experiment with different mediums. Much of my work depicts images of young girls, often incorporating themes of nostalgia, innocence and subtle ominous undertones–along with a personal obsession of mine: Mary Jane shoes, which I try to include in every piece possible. The intensity of these themes depend on the medium which I am using or the mood I’m in. Intaglio printmaking has always felt like more of a serious medium where the process feels precious to me and so I want the images to reflect this seriousness. I use aquatints as a way to deepen contrast, add drama and heighten the emotional weight of the piece. Whereas in my paintings I use vibrant colors, dreamlike environments, graphic figures and personal motifs. My aesthetic naturally evolves with my surroundings.
Lately, I have been focusing on original work for markets and festivals, creating pieces that resonate with a wider audience, while staying true to my artistic vision. I’ve also been enjoying live portraiture through a custom setup I built called the ‘Poof Booth’. I sit behind a wall with an opening that perfectly frames my subjects. They insert a coin to start the machine (me), and once the sketch is complete it slides through a slot to their side– and poof a smile appears on their face. It’s been lovely to connect with people as well as great drawing practice trying to capture a subject and their energy in only a few minutes.
What I am most proud of is my creative persistence. I like to push myself with self-imposed challenges… Like when I drew a comic every day for a year without missing a single day. Proving to myself that when I set my mind to something I CAN DO IT.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Grand Rapids is a lively, growing city that I’ve come to love over the years I have lived here. I’ve encountered so many creative and skilled people that have continued to inspire me to do more– to create, learn, try, fail, see the world, interact with nature and become more involved in my community.
It’s easy to get attached to the people who make this place special. Without them, Grand Rapids would be nothing but a hunk of cement, buildings, and roads. I am deeply grateful to have such a beautiful community of friends here.
That said, I think there are many ways in which the city could improve and do more for the artists that reside here–whether that means offering more artist grants and fellowships, hosting more city-sponsored local art festivals, converting the many unused or abandoned factories into affordable studios, or commissioning more public art. Although we already have a vibrant artist community there is always more that could be poured back into the city. With the shared interest of making our city a better place to live and pursue our dreams, I’m excited to see how Grand Rapids continues to evolve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://closeg.wixsite.com/grace
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grace.kina.art/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@gracekina
