For many, career changes are a leap of faith, but for Jared Lim, it's more like unlocking new abilities. Known in the art world as Professional Crayon, Jared has spent years making music. But in 2021, with an abundance of free time due to the pandemic, he discovered a new passion mural and graffiti art. And he hasn't looked back since.
"I wouldn't call it a career switch, more like adding another skill to my arsenal. I still make music!" Jared shared.
Mural art had always intrigued him. He often found himself wondering how artists managed to get proportions right on such massive canvases. Determined to learn, he turned to YouTube and, with little to no experience, decided to give it a shot.
"I reached out to a few friends who owned businesses and asked if they'd let me paint for them. They covered the cost of materials, and I promised to do my best," he recounted.
That first experience was all it took. The moment he picked up a spray can, he was hooked. "Seeing the colors come to life on the wall, it was pure excitement. That's when I knew: 1) I love doing this, and 2) I could get really good at it."
Fast forward a few years, and Jared is now creating large-scale murals, including his biggest project yet, a towering 30-foot mural for Paynet's new office in Kuala Lumpur.
"It was a huge milestone not just in size but also because I finally got to use a lift for the first time!" he laughed.
Jared draws inspiration from just about anything, music, conversations, or even fleeting daily moments.
"Music is a big one, but I also love tribal themes, different cultures, animals, wildlife, and anything with a whimsical touch," he said.
His work blends mixed media, primarily spray paint and house paint, but he's been pushing boundaries by incorporating wood elements and lighting. "These 3D fixtures add depth, and lighting brings an extra dimension to the artwork. It's an evolving process," he explained.
Every mural presents unique technical challenges, from peeling walls to mounting 3D elements. Jared has learned to tackle these hurdles through trial, error, and a lot of YouTube research.
"One project taught me a hard lesson stripping wallpaper before painting? Never again!" he joked.
Despite the challenges, the joy of completing a project is unmatched. "Every time I finish a piece, there's a moment of disbelief, like, 'Did I really do that?' And seeing my collaborators share that excitement makes it all worth it."
If you're in KL, PJ, or Subang, chances are you've walked past Jared's art. His work is featured at:
Dua by Roca
Flying Peacock at APW
Code 19 at JioSpace
DrumAsia in Hartamas
Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock in SS15
Beyond KL, his murals can be found in Johor Bahru at Porky Burgers and in Langkawi at RedSky, Bonton, and Aloft Hotel.
"And if you know someone at Paynet, maybe you can get a tour of their office and check out my biggest piece so far, haha!" he added.
Jared dreams of participating in a mural festival abroad. "I've applied to a few but haven't gotten in yet. To me, it's like performing music internationally its a way to share a piece of yourself with a new culture."
But his immediate focus is on an even bigger milestone his first solo exhibition. "I'm documenting my creative process and, if all goes well, I'll be putting together my first exhibition. Follow my journey on Instagram (@ProfessionalCrayon), and hopefully on YouTube by mid-year!"
From music to murals, Jared continues to redefine what it means to be an artist, one skill at a time.
Source: SAYS
