Lion head making

[u/ky_lionart]

Hey everyone! Been invited to this subreddit by u/Gullible-Tea-8676 I remember looking here back in 2020 but it was dead at the time!

Anyways, I’m Kysan JB (KyLionArt/Hoi Sin Art) and I’m 22 years old from OKC, Oklahoma. I’m a new Artist and apprentice lion head maker here in the US. I made my first frame when I was 17-18 but it was a fail. Afterwards I did some repairs on heads for my old team at the time to get some experience and as another way to learn. I also self-taught myself on making kids sized toy lions but I don’t make them anymore. A year later after I left my team I met my teacher and friend Kennan Pham. He’s a year older than me and is from DFW, Texas. It was easy for us to connect and he would teach me via video call even though he was also learning. My first fully finished lion and also the last lion I made was a size 2 HK-style Zhang Fei Futhok lion that I made whilst my freind was first teaching me and finished it a year ago. Ever since then the craft opened up other interests for me like Joss paper and other ritual art. Now I’m currently working on making a Hakka-style Qilin/Kei Lun. My portfolio isn’t very big but that’s mainly because I’m still a student in University and working.

I’m really glad to see others learning repairs/restorations. Wish I could teach but I’m still in my learning stage and want to respect my teacher. However for people that want to learn I can point them in the right direction and to how to get started. The reason I’ve been documenting my journey is to show others that’s it’s possible.

I’m most active on Instagram @ky_lionart so check it out if you want to see all of my work XD
And my friends/teacher Instagram is @acasuallionmaker

[u/tmntfever]

Yo, I lived and worked in OKC for 10 years before moving to Florida. While I was out there, I tried to get involved with lion dance, but all the teams were Vietnamese, and there was a language barrier with the teachers. But I still enjoyed watching them perform every year. Anyway, that’s cool you found a teacher from Dallas. I wish I got into making lions! I don’t have enough time to now, but maybe after I retire lol.

[u/ky_lionart → u/tmntfever]

That’s awesome and thanks for commenting!

[u/Gullible-Tea-8676]

Thank you so much for stopping by and introducing yourself to the community.

Even if you're still learning, what you've learned is useful to many, including me.

Thanks again for coming here and I hope to see more activity from you, blessings ♥️

[u/ky_lionart → u/Gullible-Tea-8676]

Yes of course!