This Malaysian Artist Went From YouTube Tutorials To Painting 30-Foot Murals
While everyone else was making Dalgona coffee, Jared was getting into murals and graffiti art.
By Tamara Jayne — 04 Feb 2025, 04:55 PM
Some people switch careers, but for Jared Lim, it's more like collecting superpowers
Known by his artist handle, Professional Crayon, Jared has been making music for years. But in 2021, with way too much free time thanks to the pandemic, he picked up something new — mural and graffiti art.
And he never looked back.
"I'd more accurately call it 'adding a skill set' rather than a transition — because I still do music!" he shared.
Mural art had always fascinated him. He often wondered: "How did artists get proportions right on such a massive scale?"
So, like many self-taught artists, he turned to YouTube. And with little to no experience in murals, he took the leap.
"I reached out to a few friends who owned businesses and asked if they'd take a chance on me. They covered the cost of paints, and I promised to give it my best shot," he recounted.
That first experience sealed the deal.
"I still remember the first time I used spray paint — it was such a rush, this childlike excitement seeing the bright colours come to life on the wall. After that, I realised two things: 1) I wanted to do this, and 2) I could get really good at it."
Fast forward a few years, and now he's tackling massive projects, like his biggest one yet — a towering 30-foot-high mural for Paynet's new office in Kuala Lumpur
"It was a pretty pivotal one for me — not just because of how massive it was, but also because I finally got to use a lift for the first time!" he revealed.
Check out a video of it below:
He finds inspiration from just about anywhere — friends, conversations, music, and even the most random moments in a day.
"If I had to name a few, music would be a big one. I'm also drawn to tribal-like themes, different cultures, animals, wildlife, and anything with a whimsical touch," he added.
His work is a blend of mixed media, primarily using spray paint and house paint.
"More recently, I've been adding wood elements. I call them 3D art fixtures — they create a sense of depth to further enhance the artwork. I've also incorporated lighting into some pieces as well.
"It's going to be an ever-evolving process I believe," he reflected.
Murals come with their fair share of technical headaches. From peeling walls to figuring out how to mount 3D elements, every surface is a new challenge.
"For the most part, I figure it out by watching lots of YouTube videos and asking people," he shared.
One project, though, made him rethink everything. "Stripping wallpaper before painting? Haha, not doing that again!" he laughed.
Although he has several successful projects under his belt, he said the best part is still seeing his pieces come to life
"Each project feels like I'm thrown into a person's world for a little while, and we get to team up to make something cool happen," he described.
The paintings could take days or weeks. But when it's done? There's always a moment of disbelief.
There's this little voice in my head saying, 'Did you do that?? Damn, dude — you did that!' And seeing the collaborators feel the same way is incredibly rewarding.
If you're in KL, PJ, or Subang, you might've already walked past Jared's work.
Spots like Dua by Roca, Flying Peacock at APW, Code 19 at JioSpace, DrumAsia in Hartamas, and Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock in SS15 all feature his signature art.
Further out, you'll find his pieces in Johor Bahru at Porky Burgers and in Langkawi at RedSky, Bonton, and Aloft Hotel.
"And if you know someone working at Paynet, maybe you can get a tour of their new office and check out my biggest piece so far — haha!" he joked.
Jared collaborated with Mini Cooper to create artwork for the MINI Countryman Roof Art Edition.
Image via Jared Lim (Provided to SAYS)Given the chance to paint anywhere in the world, Jared has his sights set on participating in a mural festival
"I've been applying but haven't gotten a bite yet. I see it the same way I do when we play music outside the country — it's a chance to share a piece of yourself there and experience what the people and culture are all about," he mused.
For now, he's got another big goal — his first solo exhibition.
"I'll be documenting a series of videos for some of the art pieces I'm working on. And if all goes well, I'll be putting together my first solo exhibition!
"Do follow me on my socials if you're interested in following the journey! I'm most active on Instagram, and hopefully YouTube — if you're reading this mid-year. You can find me on Instagram."
