James Lim: the Artist Who Makes Your Stomach Rumble
If you’ve ever felt your tummy turn into a loud traffic jam, you’re in the right place. James Lim—known online as @james.ek—turns every bite into a work of art, and it’s hard to resist the urge to taste his sketches.
From Kueh to Croissants: A Food‑Forward Tour
Walking across Singapore, James has been busy with his trusty sketchbook, capturing plates that make you want to order them right now. Each illustration feels like a postcard from a lover to food, and you can practically smell the aromas through the lines.
Sketching the Commute—MRT Edition
Next time you hop onto the MRT, keep an eye out for James. While the city rush might seem chaotic, he’s finding masterpieces in everyday commuters: a lauded “starving artist” who knows that a good sketch can transform a lumpy train ride into something memorable.
Giving Back to the Local Scene
- Runs nearby Urban Sketchers Singapore meetings.
- Supports the Cafe Sketchers SG Facebook group by organizing fun events.
- Always looking for fresh talent—because the art world needs more hungry creators.
Interview Highlights
James is 35 and deeply passionate about exploring food in every form. He’s collaborated with major brands, always adding a splash of creativity to what otherwise might feel plain.
New to sketching? He says all you need is a sketchpad and a decent sense of curiosity. Grab a snack, set up your station, and let your imagination run off the page!
Ready to Join the Fun?
Explore his journey, taste every visual bite, and maybe even start sketching your own food stories.
Your food art is super yummy looking! (Plus it feels to us like a new style of food review). Why draw food and what motivated you to do so?
Sketching the Sizzle: My Two‑Fold Love For Food & Art
Painting a plate and savoring a bite at the same time? That’s my happy place. I’m happiest when my eyes are on a dish and my brush is on canvas, capturing the feel of crust, the pop of fresh herbs, and the warmth that comes from a chef’s handcrafted magic. Think of a medium where the palette is a pantry.
Why a Sketchbook Is My Food Diary
- Every bite is a visual note. I jot down not just the dish but the spot you’re eating it—an alleyway tavern, a rooftop garden, the corner of a bustling market.
- Color palettes are recipes. Sharp greens, burnt orange friezes, and mellow pastels all scream tells the story of the ingredients.
- Art becomes a review. Instead of dry sentences, I illustrate how the food tickles the taste buds by placing the idea on paper.
Chef & Artist: Two Crafts That Mirror Each Other
When a chef lays down those final garnishes, they’re pouring a living poem into a plate. I stand in the same light and with the same intent—turning raw materials into an eye‑to‑mouth experience. The empty canvas? The blank page. The spices? The hues. The aroma? The texture of my strokes.
Observation Is My Creative Fuel
Peering at a dish is like studying a sculpture: every curve, edge, and shadow tells a story. I translate that into ink, hoping the food’s deliciousness shines through my work. Flip the drawing—poetry meets plating—so you can almost taste what you’re looking at.
Ready for a Visual Feast?
Feel free to swipe through my latest pieces—cheers to the little moments when art satisfies appetite and appetite nourishes art. The next chapter of my culinary sketchbook awaits your eyes! Hungry for more? Share your food‑art adventures in the comments below.
What’s your favourite food to eat?
When Simple Meets Spicy: My Love Affair with Food
Ever stumble upon a bite that hits the spot so hard you get a ‘foodgasm’? That’s what I’m after—a dish that’s uncomplicated on the surface yet packs a punch of flavor that lights up my taste buds.
What Makes a Meal Worthy of a Foodgasm?
- Spice – a kick that wakes you up and keeps you guessing.
- A Pinch of Salt – that ‘wow’ factor that draws out every aroma.
- Sourness – a crisp zing that cuts through and balances the heat.
- And of course, a sweet whisper to keep you coming back.
Thai Food: The Ultimate Flavor Fest
When I’m forced to choose a culinary playground, Thai cuisine is the top pick. Lime, chili, fish sauce, and a splash of coconut milk swing together in a dance that never ends. Every bite is a micro‑adventure: the heat is there but never too overwhelming, the salt tugs the flavors into harmony, and the sour bite keeps things lively.
Why Singapore is the Perfect Stage
Singapore’s hawker centres are the ideal launchpads for this flavor party. With a culture that loves to mix and mingle, you can hop from one corner to another and discover dishes from every corner of the world—all in a single walk. That’s one of the best parts of living here—easy access to nearly every cuisine you can dream of.
Feeling the Delight
Picture yourself seated beside a steaming pot of Tom Yum Goong or Green Curry, the aroma rolling in. Your tongue is already guessing, the first bite delivers that spicy-sour-salty hit, and then you realize that your craving for the next bite is already coming. That’s the magic of Singapore’s food scene.
So next time you’re craving a taste adventure, head to a hawker centre—you’ll find an entire world waiting, and the only limit? Your appetite!
What’s the most challenging food to draw?
Picture‑Perfect Plate Problems
When I step onto the kitchen stage, there are two big hurdles that keep me on my toes. One’s all about the visual puzzle of the dish, the other is the time‑sensitive nature of the food itself.
1⃣ The Art of a Soup‑Filled Noodle
Imagine a bowl of steaming noodles—think long, tangled strands slipping through a cloud of broth. Capturing that in a single frame feels like trying to squeeze an entire spaghetti festival into a tiny paper cup.
- Line‑art Lullaby: The noodly strands are a masterpiece of motion, and the halfway‑submerged ingredients feel like a secret handshake between broth and garnish.
- Photo‑First, Sketch‑Later: I snap a vibrant snapshot, letting the lights and textures give me the reference parade I need.
- Sketch with a Purpose: While the noodles waltz on the table, I sketch the bowl’s edges and splash numbers. Later, I’ll zoom in, drag my hand over the photo, and give the illustration its final polish.
2⃣ The Perennial Problem of “Too Fresh” Food
Anything that’s edible for just a whisker of time feels like a ticking timer on a toaster.
- Swollen Noodle Pout: Those once‑tasty strands start to sag, soaking up every last drop of broth.
- Meltdown Madness: Ice cream is a summer dream that dissolves faster than a cold‑weather sweater.
- Fluff‑off Pancake Soufflé: The airy clouds collapse, turning into a dense, soggy pancake‑of‑confusion.
My Survival Tactics
When a dish is about to lose its life force, I follow a recipe of “snapshot, sketch, finish.” Snap the photo, draw a quick layout while the food’s still lurid, then let the photo guide the final artwork—bringing a fleeting taste to a permanent masterpiece.
How did your collabs with big brands like New Moon and Skippy x Udders come about?
Why Brands are Stalking My DMs
Short version: I get hit with collaboration requests every time I open Instagram – almost a full‑time side‑job. If you’re curious how my sketch style turns into a brand’s marketing gold, you’ll love the inside scoop.
DMs: The Highway of Hungry Brands
- Every brand that loves food finds a reason to slide into my inbox.
- From a cosmetic friend’s test baked cookies to a mega snack chain’s seasonal campaign, the pitches are as diverse as my color palette.
- Roughly 90 % of the inquiries are food‑centric. Think crunchy chips, creamy desserts, and the occasional questionable taco takeover.
What Makes Me a Magnet for Big Names?
Here’s the deal: I keep my style refreshingly playful – a little less “studio” and more “kitchen counter art.” The result? Brands marvel at how my drawings can cast their products in a totally new light. Many wonder: “What if my logo was actually a slice of pizza?” Because the creative possibilities feel endless.
- Brands want their products to feel fun, approachable, and chatty on social feeds.
- They’re also betting that my visual flair can make their campaign stand out in a sea of bland ads.
- Finally, each collaboration gets another chance for me to experiment with different mediums – from animated GIFs to printable memes.
Sample Collaboration—I Pull it All Together
Here’s a taste of one proud moment: Food brand X + my illustration (view it in IG). I turned the product into a whimsical doodle that drew a thousand double taps in one day.
My Takeaway: The Land of Creative Partnerships
Every DM is a new chapter in a collective story. I’m thrilled that my sketches keep catching the eye of industry giants, and I’ll keep pushing the limits of how food can be turned into art. Cheers to the next collaboration that turns a simple snack into a breath of fresh creative humor!
Which one was the most challenging and how long did it take to complete?
Turning Check‑In the Snackz It! Mall into a Canvas
It Started Late, Ended With a Wow!
Picture me, a newbie to enamel, standing in a buzzing mall at midnight, armed with a brush and a dream. I hadn’t seen a warped metal sheet before, let alone turned it into a colorful mural. My hands were shaking, but I powered through in about four groggy hours. By the next outlet, I’d found my rhythm—six stores in all, each getting its own splash of art.
Why Paint the Mall?
- Art for the eyes: The murals instantly brighten the space, turning drab corners into pop‑pin top spots.
- Heat‑up sales: Word is that a good mural can coax folks into tasting the chicken chop. Friends swore it was the bill‑board that brought the crowd.
- Big‑brain confidence: Once I figured out the trick, the feeling of finishing a project was like hitting the jackpot of creativity.
Challenges on the Big Canvas
Every mural’s a tall order. I’ve got asks for walls up to four metres high—an Everest I’ve yet to conquer. Still, I’m ready to learn the ropes and bring those tall, sweeping stories to life.
Behind the Scenes
Late‑night sessions, a parking lot full of garages, and a team of renovators might sound like a low‑budget drama, but the real spectacle is the transformation of plain steel into a masterpiece that people actually notice.
Check out the front‑view glow
Here’s a peek at the finished work on Facebook (click the link and get ready to be dazzled). While you’re scrolling, imagine the painstaking brush strokes that created that shimmering finish.
What are some of your most memorable partnerships and what made them so awesome?
Teamwork Tales: The Amaravati Adventure
There have been a ton of memorable collaborations over the years, but the gem that stands out is the Amaravati project with MTI. It’s the kind of partnership that feels like the perfect mash‑up of art and adventure.
Who was on board?
- 26 spirited sketchers from Urban Sketchers Singapore
- Four creative contributors from across India, including cool places like Andhra Pradesh
What did they do?
They flew to Amaravati in 2017, grabbed their sketchbooks, and captured 29 villages in print form. Each page turned up a window into local life—colorful rooftops, bustling markets, and the way people go about their day.
Why it mattered to us
Being abroad was a thrill—seeing a new culture through a fresh lens, figuring out what to sketch, and tapping into the stories that lie between two strokes of a pen. It wasn’t just about art; it was about sharing the heart of a place.
And the cherry on top?
I was chosen to curatethe exhibition! It was an honor to showcase these sketches, let the world see what we captured, and keep the spirit of collaboration alive.
Another awesome thing you do are your #commutesketches. Tell us more about them!
Sketching on the Go: A Travel‑Art Adventure
What Is Commute Sketching?
Think of it as a worldwide pastime where artists grab a quick sketchbook and let the rhythm of travel inspire their art. It’s the perfect way to turn ordinary bus rides or train journeys into creative moments.
Singapore’s Starter Pack
- It began in our city when a handful of local artists decided to take the challenge seriously.
- Key figures who lit the way: Cherngzhi, Don Low, and James Tan. Their work sparked a lot of enthusiasm, myself included.
When Art Meets Transit
Back in 2017, we teamed up with SBSTransit to showcase our “Commute Sketches” across their major interchange hubs. Since then, the exhibition line‑up has been running strong—every day is a new canvas outside the train’s glass walls.
Why It Works
- Live Observation: Draw people in motion, feel the weight of daily traffic.
- Time‑Savings: Transform commute hours into productive drawing time.
A Mix of Memories and Masks
In the early days, we could sketch out full faces, capturing an entire character unfiltered. Now, most commuters wear masks, so our subjects are a bit more enigmatic. Even with that, the creative spark never fades.
Want a peek at the original urbanscape? If you’re curious, you could look up “@usksg” on Facebook for updates or explore the world of transit sketching on Instagram.
Tell us more about Urban Sketches Singapore and Cafe Sketchers SG. How do these FB groups continue to promote the passion for sketching even under our current restrictions? What activities do you recommend for someone looking to start drawing?
Urban Sketchers Singapore: Sketching Our Way Through the Pandemic
Urban Sketchers is a worldwide network of artists who love to capture life on the fly. Singapore’s chapter, USKSG (Urban Sketchers Singapore), hopped onto the canvas in 2012, and their favourite tagline is “See The World One Drawing At A Time.”
The Local Scene
- USKSG – A community of locals who love to sketch their city on the spot.
- Cafe Sketchers – A fun sub‑group that pulls sketching into coffee shops, drawing everything from latte art to menu boards.
What We’re Doing Now
Because of the lockdowns, a lot of folks have discovered their inner artist. Sketching is now a huge trend for both kids and adults who need something to do while stuck at home.
Here’s how you can join the movement:
- Make a daily habit – pick a ballpoint and a notebook, and start doodling simple things.
- Explore online tutorials and videos to spice up your style.
- Attend our online sessions—monthly themes, collaborations with local brands, and even live shows on Instagram.
Why You’ll Be Amazed
Think about it – after a few weeks of sketching a few minutes a day, you’ll look at your notebook and see a whole collection of art. That’s the joy of building a routine!
Global 24‑Hour Sketchathon
We celebrated a world‑wide 24‑hour “sketchathon” that featured live streams on Instagram. It was a non‑stop creative marathon that connected artists from every corner of the globe. Check it out!
You also conduct drawing workshops. What inspired you to teach art?
From Dreaming of a Chalkboard to Coaching Colorful Minds
Ever since I was a kid, I was convinced a white‑board and a stick of chalk would be my playground. Fast forward to now, and I’m actually helping others paint their own futures.
Why I Keep Sketching
- Passion is contagious. When I doodle, the magic spreads—students start adding their own splash of color.
- Seeing fresh eyes on the same vista. Every sketch is a new interpretation, and that diversity is what keeps my creative gears turning.
Workshops that Spark Confidence
In my sessions, I blend fun with fundamentals. Quick exercises, awkward hunches taken out of the way, and a dash of playful critique create a safe space.
Result? Participants grow from awkward newbies to artists who meet regularly for a coffee and a canvas.
Success: More Than Lines on Paper
What affirms my job is not just the strokes on the sketchpad but the testimonials that come in: “The real secret to happiness? Helping others.” I take that as a standing ovation.
Join the Jam
Drop in, grab a sketchbook, and let’s turn those doodles into stories that echo around a room.
Who and what are your inspirations and why?
Getting Inspired: From Animators to Hawker Foodie
When I think about what lights up my creative spark, two names jump out — Marc Taro Holmes and William Sim. Both hailing from the animation world, they bring a relatable art style that feels like a friendly handshake and a daring spirit that doesn’t shy away from experimenting with new mediums.
Watching their work evolve is nothing short of a visual roller‑coaster. Each brushstroke feels like a fresh chapter in a graphic novel that keeps me on the edge of my seat.
More Artists Who’re on My Playlist
- Yip Yew Chong – A master mounter of surreal landscapes.
- Red Hongyi – His vibrant compositions turn ordinary scenes into pop‑art parties.
- Vanont – A visionary who swaps pixels for paper, but never loses the digital flair.
Honestly, I can’t totally get into their creative minds. I just wish I could hop into that space—perhaps one day!
Turning Cafes into Colorful Journals
One of my newest passions is cafe hopping. Each visit becomes a page in my personal food diary—flavors mapped, aromas recorded, and yes, the occasional selfie with my latest takeout dish.
I genuinely love the smiles of hawker owners when I showcase my sketches. I pour my artistic love into their plates and, in turn, they share it with a grin that says, “You’re a note‑taker, not a food critic.” That little exchange fuels my dual love for food and art.
For the Love of Food!
It’s funny how our passions intersect: art that tastes, and food that feels like a painting. Every café visit is a reminder that creativity can be served hot and fresh, just like those good‑old chicken rice bowls.
Also Read: Artist behind the art: NS stint cemented kueh enthusiast’s decision to pursue art.
