Dae030 Interview | Respect the Artist
Hello,
My name is Sam, and I'm a doodler/freelance artist in Toronto, Canada.
How did you get your artist name?
dae is part of my Korean name and I was 30 when I started sharing my artwork online.
How did you get into creating?
I started doodling a lot during my time in university. It was my way of listening and filtering when I was in class. After I graduated, I kept doodling, and it became an enjoyable pastime—something I did while listening to music.
Where are you from?
Toronto, Canada
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?
During elementary school, my friends and I would draw during recess. They were a lot better than me, but that pushed me to get creative in what I drew.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
I try to draw as regularly as possible. I also find inspiration in illustrations by other artists. Sometimes, I experiment by imitating their styles while making small tweaks to learn and develop my own.
What does your current setup look like?
I'm currently using a desk I've had since I was in elementary school. I try to keep my desk as clean as possible. I also have a binder full of scrap paper and pencils nearby, just in case I feel like drawing. I keep my room clean too, since a messy room often stresses me out and distracts me from getting in the flow when drawing.
Who inspires you?
I've always looked up to my brother—he's an incredible artist. When we were younger, we spent a lot of time drawing characters together. It was never about who was better (he always was, haha), but more about sharing a hobby and seeing what kind of creatures and characters we could bring to life from our imaginations.
That experience made drawing something deeply enjoyable and relational for me. It's more than just a skill. It's a way to connect and have fun together.
What is your goal when you create?
My goal is simply to have fun and create goofy illustrations. And if one of my drawings brings a smile to someone’s day, that’s a win in my book.
Why do you create?
Initially, I started creating out of boredom during school, but these days, it’s become more of a way for me to relax and unwind.
Over the past few years of posting on Instagram, I found that I created mainly for likes and attention, which made the process feel a bit draining.
Recently, I’ve been trying to step back from Instagram to refocus on doodling as a hobby and create more for myself, rather than for what I think people want to see.
How has choosing your creative path affected your life?
It's been good, but difficult at the same time.
Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?
I haven’t fully overcome the obstacles I’ve faced along the way. Since I don’t have formal training or any “special” artistic skills, I often struggle with impostor syndrome. It’s hard for me to confidently tell people that I make art.
But I’m slowly learning to accept myself as someone who simply loves to doodle. I’m not quite at the point where I feel comfortable calling myself an artist—but I’m getting there.
Also, sharing your work on platforms like Instagram can feel incredibly vulnerable. I’m slowly learning that opening up and putting your art out into the world takes time, courage, and a lot of self-compassion.
What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?
Lately, I’ve been really into city pop. The music is so funky and bright that it always brightens up my mood. Since I don’t understand the lyrics, it actually makes for perfect background music while I’m drawing or working on projects.
What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?
I’d love to collaborate with skateboard companies and breweries from around the world. If that means traveling to work with them, even better! One dream collaboration would be with UNIQLO—that would be amazing.
Right now, I’ve been reaching out to companies on Instagram, looking for any opportunities to team up and create something fun together.
What would you tell someone else with a dream?
Always have fun and allow yourself to be fully you in whatever you pursue.
And remember: your value doesn’t come from likes or comments on social media. Your value and self-worth come solely from you.
Tell us about your most recent release?
I'm currently working on a couple of exciting art collaborations—one with a brewery in Korea, and another with a fingerboard company based in Indonesia.
Share a link to your most recent release
Instagram: @dae030
Website: themangoshop.ca
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