How did you get started in your art form?
Recalling from childhood, I was always the "art kid". I love making art in any form. Since my parents are really strict and the internet is not so advanced like nowadays back then, all I can do to document my life is through diaries. I first started to write diaries in form of writings, however, later I realized writings are too complex for the little me, and drawing is more direct and interesting. Thus, I turned to draw my diaries. I have 6 book of diaries full of my drawings depicting my every day life back in my home in China.
Describe an experience you had that helped you to develop a passion for what you do, what was it about that experience that was impactful?
Although art is something that I was determined to do since my childhood, but art has so many different directions, how can I choose a specific area to study? Questions like these were answered after a time of volunteer in my middle school time, which is really the turning point for my art practice.
I once volunteered in the elementary school near my house in middle school. The task for volunteer was to teach children basic art theories and help them to learn Acrylic and Clay. In the events, a kid named Sarah told me she loves art because of she started to read children book full of colored illustrations at an early age. Just at that time I realized how much knowledge children books can provide, this type of artwork can help kids to set up a world view, learn the language of art, and also provide them with a heart full of color.
Started from that time, I had determined to be an illustrator, not only addressing social issues, but also making colorful children books and toys for the kids and help them to understand the world as well. It is fair to include that the experience had pushed me to the path of illustration, instead of other design areas.