Today we’d like to introduce you to Chan-Nhu Le.
Hi Chan-Nhu, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Huế, the former capital of Vietnam. I have always loved drawing. I remember promising my best friend in first grade that we would become painters. In Vietnamese, the word “painter” can refer to many types of artists, and the word “illustrator” was not known at the time. I probably first heard it around 2015.
In high school, I considered applying to an art school in my city, but I wasn’t sure what career it would lead to. The school offered Fine Art and Practical Art, which focused on graphic design, but neither felt like the right path for me. Eventually, I decided that a career in art might not be practical.
Instead, I studied English Translation and Interpretation, a field that suited my strengths and offered promising career opportunities. During college, I also volunteered in social services, where I met wonderful people from around the world. These experiences inspired me to pursue opportunities abroad and see more of the world.
After graduating, I worked for a nonprofit organization supporting agricultural education for rural communities, including women affected by domestic violence. The experience exposed me to the complexities of working within bureaucratic systems and made me reconsider the direction of my career. I realized I wanted to explore a different path.
Around that time, I had the opportunity to study in the United States and reconsider my long-standing interest in art. It felt like a second chance to pursue something I had once set aside. Throughout my four years of college, I had often wondered, “What if I had pursued art instead?” Now, I finally had the chance to find out.
Although I still didn’t know what illustration was, I was good at photography, so I initially chose to major in Photography. I worked on fashion photography projects with local artists and models, developing concepts, researching locations, and collaborating with creative people. While I enjoyed the creative process, I found that the industry itself wasn’t quite the right fit, and I began questioning my direction once again.
Then, something changed in my digital media class. I came across an illustration by Victor Ngai on an art website, and her work immediately caught my attention. When I read about her background and learned that she was from Hong Kong and, like me, had discovered illustration as a field later on, her story really resonated with me.
This time, I felt deeply confident in my decision. I didn’t know what my career as an illustrator would look like, but I knew that illustration was something I could see myself doing for a long time. Whether it would offer stability in my future career, I felt it was worth pursuing, even if it meant taking significant risks.
At CSULB, I learned from talented professors and classmates. Having had no formal art training before college, I had to work really hard to build my technical foundation and develop my ideas and concepts. I often experienced imposter syndrome, surrounded by so many talented artists. At the same time, I was fascinated by the world of illustration I had discovered. Despite the challenges, I loved the process and wanted to keep getting better. That passion motivated me to continue learning, experimenting, and developing my skills and ideas. I also found a sense of connection with the people in the illustration community and the way they saw the world.
Since graduating, I have continued to pursue illustration while working as a public school art teacher. Teaching allows me to share the skills I once wished I had learned earlier and to see my students develop their own creative voices. Their work also inspires me to keep making art and growing as an artist myself.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nowadays, one of my biggest struggles is finding the time and energy to create personal work. I currently teach art at a public school, and by the end of the day, I often find myself feeling drained. I’m looking for more professional opportunities to put myself out there, take on assignments, and work toward deadlines. I’ve realized that I tend to be more productive and motivated when I have a project to work on and a deadline to meet.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Growing up reading French and Belgian comic books, such as The Adventures of Tintin, Lucky Luke, Spirou, and The Smurfs, as well as manga, I’ve always been drawn to the ligne claire (clear-line) art style. I like my illustrations to communicate clearly and directly. I’m currently experimenting with composition and lighting while exploring unexpected perspectives and angles.
I love drawing people, food, and culture. My work serves as a visual document of people’s everyday lives and experiences. Drawing from my background and personal experiences, I’ve built a portfolio centered on Vietnam, its people, and its culture. Moving forward, I’d like to expand my themes and research to explore other cultures and communities, particularly those around me in Southern California and Los Angeles.
Looking back on my long journey, from being uncertain about pursuing art as a career to changing paths and starting all over again, I’m glad I had the courage to pursue what felt right for me and return to what I loved. In doing so, I finally fulfilled the promise I made to my best friend when I was six years old. It hasn’t been an easy path, but the excitement of thinking about art, making art, and continually learning and improving my skills brings me so much joy every day.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I would say that traveling and simply observing life and its ordinary, everyday moments have always inspired me and sparked ideas for my work. I also love looking at other artists’ work on Instagram and learning how they approach their process, from their color choices and compositions to their styles and techniques. I find it incredibly inspiring to see how differently each artist approaches their work. I just have to be careful not to fall down the endless rabbit hole of scrolling and admiring, as there are so, so many talented artists out there!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lechanhu.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/vec
