Meet Yutong (yetta) Xu

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yutong (yetta) Xu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Yutong (Yetta), so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I draw my resilience from the small moments in everyday life—preparing a simple meal, feeling the breeze in a garden, or rediscovering childhood memories. These seemingly ordinary experiences ground me and inspire my creativity, especially during challenging times.

Creating artworks has taught me that the process itself—experimenting with materials, crafting stories, and sketching fleeting ideas—can restore strength. My sketchbook, in particular, is a constant source of resilience. Flipping through its pages, I rediscover moments that remind me of my ability to adapt and persevere. Whether at home or traveling, it’s always with me, ready to capture the small wonders I encounter and reconnect me with the world.
For me, resilience is a cycle: life’s simple moments inspire my art, and creating art restores my strength, helping me move forward with purpose and joy.

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

I’m an illustrator and storyteller who loves finding beauty in the small, everyday things. My sketchbook is where everything begins—it’s where I capture fleeting ideas and quiet moments that inspire me. Whether it’s sketching plants at a botanical garden, drawing waves by the sea, or just doodling random thoughts from a walk, it helps me stay curious and creative. These little observations often grow into bigger projects with deeper stories.

In The Still Day and The Forgotten Night, I’ve explored how small, meaningful moments can feel so different from the fast, overwhelming pace of a technological world. These stories are about longing for nature and the peace that comes with slowing down. On the other hand, Cookbook: Scrambled Eggs is more playful—it’s all about finding creativity and joy in simple, everyday routines like cooking. It’s a reminder that even the most ordinary acts can be healing.

Now, as a freelance illustrator, I’m continuing to create stories that celebrate the beauty of everyday life. Whether it’s through personal projects or collaborations, I want my work to connect with people in a way that feels real and relatable.

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?

* Observation
Observation isn’t about replicating reality—it’s about capturing how a moment feels to you. The weather, your mood, and your surroundings all influence how you interpret what you see. For me, observation is deeply personal; it’s about translating fleeting moments into something uniquely mine. This approach makes my work feel authentic and emotionally resonant. My advice: don’t aim for perfection or accuracy. Let your feelings guide you and focus on what makes a moment special—that’s what will make your observation truly your own.
* Material Experimentation
Experimenting with materials has been an important part of my process. From monoprinting to combining digital and traditional media, trying different techniques has allowed me to discover new ways of expressing ideas. For beginners, collage is a good way to start. grab what’s around you, cut, layer, and experiment.
* Storytelling: Storytelling is at the heart of my work—it’s how I connect with others and give my illustrations deeper meaning. For me, a story doesn’t have to be complex; even a small, quiet moment can carry emotional weight. My advice：start small and personal. Sketch scenes in sequence, focusing on the mood or feeling rather than perfection. Over time, you’ll find your own voice as a storyteller.

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?

’m always open to collaborations and partnerships. I specialize in editorial illustration, visual storytelling, and creating artwork that resonates emotionally. Whether it’s illustrations for articles, commercial visuals, or creative projects, I love working with people who value thoughtful, meaningful design. If you’re interested in collaborating, feel free to reach out to me via email or through my website. Let’s create something wonderful together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yettaxu.work/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wotou_yetta/

Image Credits

All images by the artist.