How do you feel right now?

Really fat. To make up for lost time due to schooling, my parents have been plastering my face with food.

If you could wake up in a different place tomorrow morning, where would it be and what would you do?

I would wake up on an uncharted island "where the wild things are" and join in on the mischief.


If you lost your creative skill, how would you see yourself making a living?

I would inevitably succumb to my parent's wishes of pursuing a medical career. But I'd probably find some way to release my creative tension. Maybe etch a face here and there with my scalpel while operating on some unfortunate patient of mine.

If you could punch one living contemporary artist, who would it be?

I'm the non-violent type but I wouldn't mind giving Phil Hale a love tap or two. His cobalt blue skies and emotively tense figures make me swoon.

Was your first kiss worth writing a song about?

No, not really. I did one of those swallow-your-vomit gags.

At what point were you particularly happy?

After years of gathering hard-earned cool points, my older brother finally realized I was cool enough to hang out with.

No regrets allowed, but there must have been one?

To a certain someone, I'm sorry I bullied you in kindergarten and made you cry. I only accused you of stealing the pink eraser because I was jealous of how kind, pretty, and perfect you were. Every now and then, we'll cross paths and still, I wonder if you remember what a foul kid I used to be. You're still sweet to me as always which makes me want to kick myself in the face even more.

What trait do your friends have in common?

Oddly, they all think I'm sweet, adorable, and innocent. It's all part of my master scheme to take over the world.

If you had to evacuate your home or studio, what's the one thing you would grab?

With living beings aside, I'd grab the old magazine my late brother gave me.

Greatest love of your life?

My family and friends....and rice.

What is your favorite vice?

I fancy beer and burnt food.

When you blow out the birthday candles, what do you wish for?

That maybe this year I'll look my age. I'm 23 but I frequently get mistaken for a high-schooler.

If you could play a character from a favorite film or TV show for a day, who would it be?

Dwight from "The Office." He's just too cool for words.

Do you ever lie?

Only when necessary -- Person: "Do I look fat in this polka-dot bikini?"...Me: "Of course not." My brother: "Do I look fat in this polka-dot bikini?"...Me: "Indubitably."

Do you think viewers understand the intent of your work?

Whether the painting's connotations are correctly perceived or not is irrelevant. Whether it viscerally arouses their insides is what's most precious to me.

What virtue can you do without?

Patience. Customer service in the South is awfully slow, especially when you're dealing with store cashiers. While waiting, I sometimes fantasize about shoving milligrams and milligrams of Adderall down their throat.

Do you even notice when you're swearing?

Yes, I swear on rare occasions. For the most part, I engage in mental filth. In sour situations, I'll wear a smile but secretly, in my mind is a constant stream of filth that's drop-kicking you in the shins.

What has been your proudest moment?

An older lady I used to work with for two years said that she hopes her daughter grows up to be just like me.

What would you like to be remembered for?

I have a LONG way to go but when I pass on, I'd like to be remembered as the best daughter, sister, wife, and friend anyone could ask for.

How would you prefer to die?

With, at least, a little bit of sanity left.

Check out Tran Nguyen's "Nurturing The Uneased Soul" at Thinkspace Gallery, March 12 - April 4.

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