OneSpace Member Spotlight: Michele Assarasakorn
Meet Michele!
Michele Assarasakorn (AH-SAH-RAH-SA-KORN) has been a OneSpace Member since December, 2022. From the day she started bringing her daughter to the Children’s Atelier and renting a private desk, her positivity, humour and friendly demeanour has made her a much loved part of the OneSpace Community.
Michele was also featured in CBC’s news segment on OneSpace: BC Women Work to Break Barriers in their Industries
Q&A with Michele
Tell us about your career in the animation industry
I started my career in animation, games and movies before pivoting into comics, where I coloured a lot of the common superheroes (Batman, Wonderwoman, Spiderman..etc). I found my niche when I started incorporating my background painting skills into colouring hi-fantasy comics and that was what I became known for, until I pivoted again into drawing comics for kids. This pivot was initiated by another local colourist who convinced me to draw a book for his daughter- who at the time had 0 interest in reading any of the superhero comics he coloured. PAWS was created with a lot of love and based on a lot of true characters surrounding my co-creator's daughter's life. The book got offered a series deal with Penguin Random House, and I'm currently working on drawing the 4th book.
One of my favourite things about my job is to capture a lot of my local surroundings into the story. The series is all based in East Vancouver so it's easy to throw in local gems like Trout Lake and Commercial drive, so the book really feels like it's unfolding in my neighborhood.
I've got one more book left to draw (book 5) and I'm unsure yet where I'd like to go from there. It's definitely just the beginning though!
What is your most recent accomplishment/proudest career moment?
My most recent accomplishment is probably the great feedback (and fun) I had doing my first book tour in the US. My co-creator and I visited 5 states in 5 days and presented to 3 schools a day. We talked to almost 3000 kids about comics and the process behind making ours. The feeling of knowing you've inspired or impacted the way a kid enjoys art is hard to beat.
Watch Michele on The Inkpulp Podcast
Have you any advice for working moms?
I feel like I could give you a huge list of very true clichés but one that I wish I had taken more to heart was "trust your gut". We're constantly bombarded by opinions and anecdotes and probably spend more energy trying to decide which options work best. I think it's useful to educate first and then make decisions out of empowerment rather than fear.
On a more practical side though, I would say "pick your battles and roll with the punches, because all of it's temporary."
What do you like about OneSpace?
Apart from it being a career-saver, and my toddler loving the care she gets here, the space has done wonders for my sense of being a part of a community.
Being a remote worker my entire career, I really didn't realize how energized I would get just by working around like-minded people who are most likely going through the same challenges as you (as a parent). I love the opportunity for connection OneSpace opens up, even if you choose to not engage but having that option is so great.
Also, there is a real sense of supporting a small, local business here. Every engagement goes beyond superficial niceties and I really value that.
Any tips for those in the creative field looking for shared work space?
To give it a go! I know a lot of creatives are often home-bodies, but I believe working around other people in creative fields will only add to your creative expression. The things I've learned through insight sharing with others working here has been an invaluable part of my business's growth.
Interested in PAWS?
You can purchase PAWS from our onsite retail space or purchase online.
