Meet Sirin Thada, Artist in Residence for Life Happens

Earlier this year, we partnered with Thai-American artist Sirin Thada to create illustrations that reflect the theme, Life Insurance: For Anyone Who Lives.

Here’s a closer look at her process and what she had to share about her work.

Lightning Round with Sirin

What are three words to describe your artistic style?

Warm, vibrant, wabi-sabi.

What is one thing most people would be surprised to know about you?

My first real job was working as a lawyer at a big NYC law firm.

How would you explain life insurance in five seconds?

It’s peace of mind. If the worst were to happen, life insurance gives you the chance to help the ones you love, at a time when they will definitely need that comfort and help the most.

A Closer Look

Life Happens: How did you get started as an artist?

Sirin Thada: I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. It was something I always loved as a kid and just never stopped doing. I made sure to carry paper and pencil with me everywhere, and it was like having a best friend with you all the time. I didn’t actually make the leap to full-time illustration and art until much later in life. It was only after trying a few different career paths, and much soul-searching, that I realized art was the only career for me, despite how daunting the path seemed. But it’s always been a part of who I am and how I process the world.

LH: How would you describe your style?

Sirin: I love visible brushstrokes, ink bleeds and watercolor bloom—marks of human touch. My compositions tend to be tight and carefully considered, and I like juxtaposing them with paint, a medium that is unpredictable and has a life of its own.

LH: How did you come to the final work of art for this project? What was the process like?

Sirin: Even for me, talking about money and financial planning used to induce a lot of anxiety and stress. And no one wants to think about the possible death of a loved one. But the fact is, we all age, we get sick, and like all things in life, we are impermanent. Rather than letting fear of the inevitable paralyze us, why not choose to proactively enjoy every moment in life? If we accept there will be ups and downs, why not take the little extra step to prepare for the downs? Ultimately, I wanted the art to reflect what life is like when you embrace its nature fully, and these were the kinds of questions I asked myself in the process.

LH: What were you hoping to convey with your illustrations for Life Happens?

Sirin: On the theme of how life insurance is “for anyone who lives,” I wanted to convey just what “living” is truly about. It is more than just day-to-day surviving: It is about connecting, caring and thriving. From celebrations to family dinners to quiet nights alone reading, there is beauty in all those everyday moments. Life is unpredictable, but when you accept that unpredictability and face it without fear, and with a little bit of planning, you can appreciate those everyday moments with even greater ease and joy.