Meet Donglin Song

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Donglin Song. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Donglin, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.

As an artist, I often find it hard to keep up with the high-paced creative grind. Burnout and confusion pop up pretty regularly. To get through burnout, I switch up my creative forms—from ceramics to installations to illustrations. Different mediums are better for different themes, and each material has its own language, which I’ve learned a lot from working with ceramics and crafts.

But the most important thing is to never forget to express yourself. Even when you’re not feeling inspired, it’s crucial to keep creating. When you’re dealing with burnout and creative blocks, changing your perspective and taking time to relax really helps (though I’m still working on getting better at that!).

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I work across ceramics, handcrafts, large installations, and illustration because I’m fascinated by how different materials “speak” in their own unique ways. That subtle difference in expression is what keeps me inspired and constantly exploring new forms.

I recently finished my Master of Arts degree, where I focused on themes of sexual deviation and fetishes. I’m fascinated by how these non-reproductive forms of desire reflect the way humans shape their environment—and how we’re influenced by the things we create. As part of this, I’ve worked on pieces like silk scarves, zines, and interactive small installations.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think one of the most important qualities is staying passionate. As an artist, I’ve faced financial pressures, creative blocks, and moments of doubt—wondering if what I’m doing really has value. It’s also easy to feel discouraged when you see peers achieving great things.

But over time, I’ve come to feel that staying honest in your creation and expression is what really matters. My advice would be to hold onto your passion and stay true to what you want to say, even when it feels challenging. It’s not always easy, but that sincerity is what makes your work meaningful.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! I’d love to collaborate, especially in illustration. Outside of my personal projects, I’m currently working on pattern designs for a few clothing brands, and I’d be thrilled to see my illustrations used in all kinds of creative fields.

Feel free to check out my website and portfolio to get a sense of my work. I’m still learning and growing, but I’m always eager to adapt, take on challenges, and create something amazing together. 🙂

Contact Info:

• Website: https://donglinsong.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomastarlin/