About
Suosdey!
I’m Chai Hok, an Illustrator from Kratie, Cambodia.
My current career is as a UX designer, but art is something I can’t live without. I’ve been passionate about it since I was a little kid. I started drawing at the age of 3 and continued experimenting with various art tools like pencils, watercolors, color markers, colored pencils, and oil paints. They were just like my toys, which setting me apart from other kids in my village. My most exciting moments during childhood were when I passed by local illustration shops (Traditional Cambodian illustrations) on my way to school. It felt like an open-air gallery where I could see beautiful art every day. These artworks were my greatest inspirations, and I aspired to be like those artists.
Another thrill was visiting local bookstores to buy colored pencils. The more colors they had, the more expensive they were. Owning colored pencils was a special feeling for me. Although the highest number of colors I had was just 12, I tried my best and I made the most of them. My wealthy neighbors’ kids owned a big set of 48 variations from Faber-Castell. That was my definition of being rich at the time.
In my community, illustrators were always admired for their skills, but elders didn’t encourage their children to pursue that career due to its low income potential. Just like other people in the community, my family expected me to become a civil engineer.
When I went to college in Phnom Penh, I wanted to attend art school, but there weren’t many options. So, instead, I studied Computer Science. Exposure to the tech field didn’t completely change my perspective. I remained passionate about art, and my passion grew even stronger. On the other hand, it made me consider combining tech with art. This led me to become who I am today.
Illustration remains my hobby, and I will never give up on it. I practice it regularly. The more I illustrate, the happier I am. After discovering digital art in 2016 and producing my first digital artwork, “Welcome to Kratie,” I fell in love with it. Now, I primarily focus on digital art, though I might return to physical art in the future.
Currently, I don’t take on project-based illustrations. Instead, I focus on selling my print artworks in limited numbers. They are great for art collectors who love my style. My artworks also serve as unique souvenirs from Cambodia, as they are produced by me, a Cambodian artist. For more of my work, you can visit my Instagram channel or website, where you can also purchase my pieces.