We recently connected with Zhijun Cheng and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zhijun, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
During my teenage years, due to family issues and experiences of bullying at school, I suffered from deep insecurities. I often magnified my own flaws, believing that I was not perfect enough and wanted to hide away. However, one day, a friend’s words made me realize something important. They said that the purpose of makeup is to enhance your strengths, not to conceal your weaknesses. Life works in the same way. No one is perfect, and everyone has their own flaws. It is precisely these imperfections that make the world vibrant and interesting. Instead of constantly pleasing others and hiding my shortcomings, I realized that I should acknowledge my strengths and strive to excel in them. This realization boosted my confidence and self-esteem. Even to this day, I am still learning how to coexist with myself, but isn’t one of life’s joys found in continuously exploring oneself?
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an illustrator, and my inspiration often comes from animals, fairy tales, and traditional Asian culture. I usually start by sketching intricate line art on paper with a fine-tipped pen, and then I scan the sketches into the computer to add colors. I’m aware that with the advancement of technology, many illustrators have abandoned traditional materials and opted for the convenience of digital drawing. However, for me, the joy of drawing with pen on paper is irreplaceable by any electronic device. Moreover, it is precisely because traditional art tools do not allow easy modifications that I am forced to push myself to strive for excellence.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
For me, creativity and a continuous learning attitude are the most important aspects. Having creativity allows you, as an artist, to create something new—to turn an idea into reality. Many people take pride in having “good taste,” but often, “good taste” merely involves seeking to impress others rather than offering anything original; it’s just about purchasing things, consuming products and media, or chasing someone else’s creations. These are all part of life, but as an artist, you can go beyond that. You can create something that goes beyond what is currently popular or part of a trend and embark on a new direction. On the other hand, in the process of continuous learning, I always feel that the more knowledge I acquire, the more I realize how much I don’t know. Therefore, I believe that the most important skill is to remain humble and be open to accepting others’ opinions about your work, while also being able to analyze whether those opinions truly suit you.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My friends have been a great source of benefit to me. From them, I have learned how to love myself and express my opinions with a positive attitude. I am grateful for their continuous support and assistance.
Contact Info:
- Website: zhijuncheng.com
- Instagram: @junnn.arttt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhijun-cheng/
