Fulish Designs

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Artist Name: Fue Vang, or you can call me Fulish

What do you consider yourself? Artist, illustrator, painter, designer, other?

I am initially an industrial designer, but I would say Maker, since I do a lot more of that than just regular art.

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What kinds of projects have you done in the past?

As a designer, I worked on watersport hard & soft goods in the past and was in the market for promoting fun, of course.

My career as an Maker has provoked me to create pieces using mediums such as wood, acrylic, vinyl, LEDs, plastic, and metals. I am not particularly choosing just one type of material. I like having a wide array of materials to choose from.

Could you talk about how you got into art or doing what you do today? What’s your story? What made you want to pursue this path? Were there any challenges you had along the way?

Art has been developed over time. I would say for the pass 27 years of my life, I have been using a pencil to draw in my ideas. I have been fixing or destroying things since I was old enough to hold a screw driver, which is probably 10 years old. Drawing was pretty much second nature. Then came other mediums like paints, pastels, ceramics, sculpture and digital media. Art has always been present, but I believe there was something that was missing. I didn’t figure it out until my design program. I killed it in my fine arts courses, but struggled with design. Design was a whole other monster. It is like the saying, “design can be art, but art can’t be design.” This changed my world as an artist to become better at design. To solve problems with design, was pretty much forged into my soul through my core classes. That is how I became an industrial designer.

My transition to becoming a Maker was easy, but the work would be vigorous. Starting your own tiny business is scary, it is something I have never done before. I spent countless hours reading and filling out forms and figuring out logistics. This was a huge step for me, but I have prevailed through those years. Now, it is about maintaining the momentum and staying on track. ^____^

Did you attended art school or majored/minored in Art or Design in college? If so, what were your experiences with it and did you think it helped you become a better artist? If you did not attended college or attended but did not majored in anything art-related, what helped pushed you to pursue art or improve your craft?

As I mentioned earlier, I went to school for design. My alma mater is UW-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It helped me become a full well-rounded designer with skills to take on any sort of project that had to do with design.

How do you balance art with work and life? How do you make time for art?

Now, I am a full-time maker, so I have to be a self-start and keep myself motivated. I am still learning here and there. I do miss industrial designing a product that solves a problem.

Do you think making money from your art is important to you? Do you make money from your art? If so, how?

Yes, of course it is. It is like a mechanic fixing your car, a chef making you a meal, and etc. An artist’s work is just as valuable, because it isn’t just the schooling the person has put into becoming an artist. It is most of their artist career. An example is me putting my 27 years of drawing plus my career experience in to my work alone, which is worth a lot. Though I want it to be accessible, so I price it accordingly to help myself grow.

I make money for my projects based on what they are. Whether it is logos, woodworking, drawings concepts, laser engravings and etc. I make sure to look at it and price it according to my skill set and what the client is getting out of it. The more customized a piece is, the more it will cost because I am working with them on creating something they will cherish. That is how my commission projects work.

In my shop at fulishdesigns.com I sell products that are set at a certain price. It is mostly graphic tees and home décor that are print on demand or made to order. All of my home décor is handmade by me.

Where do you get your ideas from?

I believe this is always a cliché answer, but it is definitely from the world around us and who we are. I do a lot of Hmong inspired artwork because of my heritage. I do a lot of pop culture art because I have experienced it with everyone who has too. I look at nature, people, movies, books, machines, and etc. I think the more you live, the more experiences you will have to draw upon.

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What kinds of tools do you use to make your work or what is your typical artistic process like?

I use a hobby cnc named Chipper, hobby laser named Cinder, and a 3d printer named Goop. Those are my main machines to make things with, but not an ends all kind of thing. I like my traditional pencil and digital tablet to help my process along the way.

Are there any artists you look up to or find inspiring?

Goodness, there are so many. I will name them and place their links so that others can be inspired as well. These are just big names, but I am admire and respect those who are working hard as an artist as well.

Artist eras:

  • Art Deco
  • Psychedelic
  • Impressionist

Do you have any favorite books, apps, movies, resources, or art tools that you recommend?

My favorite books are:

  • Mistborn Series – by Brandon Sanderson
  • King Killer Chronicles – by Patrick Rothfuss
  • Stormlight Archives – by Brandon Sanderson
  • Protector of the Small series – by Tamora Pierce
  • Rangers Apprentice series – by John Flanagan
  • And etc…

Movies

  • So many, but one I can always rewatch is Gladiator

Resources

  • I would say my peers are the best resources.

Art tools

  • This day an age, get yourself a digital drawing pad. It helps get your work out so much faster. I love my pencil and paper, but humans now are made to want things instantly.

Is there any advice you would like to give to young artists or people just starting out?

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Are you willing to work for it and put yourself out there?
  • How much time do you want to put into it?
  • How do you plan to fund your creativity?
  • Be ready to defend your work!

Other than that, it is hard if you come from a background that doesn’t have the funding you need to keep creative and from worrying about how you will pay the next bill due date. Don’t quit your day job unless your art is making more than your day job. Money isn’t everything but it helps. I wish only the best for you and don’t forget to pray!

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Is there anybody you would like to collaborate or work with? Could be a person, another artist, or company.

I am always fine with collaborating if I believe in the message. Though sometimes time is not the friendliest. As of right now, I have no one in mind.

What is your ultimate dream project or something you’ll like to accomplish in your lifetime (could be art or non-art related)?

I would like to design something that could solve a problem for someone medically or not. It could be energy or sustainability related. That would be a great accomplishment, so I am keeping my design eyes open for solutions.

What is the best way to get a hold of you or view or purchase your work?

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