We caught up with the brilliant and insightful LUCIA LIN a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
LUCIA, 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 keep my creativity alive by constantly seeking new inspirations and staying curious about the world. As an illustrator and picture book maker, I find inspiration in everyday life—observing people, sketching natural scenery, and immersing myself in diverse artistic mediums, from traditional watercolor, soft pastel, and crayon to digital techniques. Outdoor sketching allows me to capture real-life details, while researching stories and cultural elements adds depth and meaning to my work. I also love experimenting with different materials, such as Riso printing, screen printing, and collage, which keeps my creative process dynamic and exciting. Most importantly, I embrace a sense of play—treating each project as an adventure helps me maintain both joy and originality in my work.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a picture book creator, illustrator, and graphic designer. What excites me the most about this profession is the continuous challenge of pushing my creative boundaries—experimenting with different artistic styles and storytelling techniques. The joy of bringing my ideas to life and creating works that truly resonate with me is irreplaceable.
Storytelling is my passion, and I love crafting narratives that surprise and engage audiences. I aim for my work to be both visually captivating and emotionally compelling. Designing unexpected plot twists is a challenge I enjoy, as I like embedding clever details that invite readers to discover surprises along the way.
I have already created several original picture books and interactive mystery-solving games, and I am currently working on new projects. I have created I Am a Cactus, a story about a little cactus going on an adventure; Mango, which follows an old lady searching for her black cat; Tiki’s Night, where a young girl and her cat discover small monsters sneaking into their home; and Pieces of Crime, an endlessly connectable mystery-solving game where players piece together clues to find the criminal. You can find all of these on my Instagram and personal website.
I look forward to sharing more about my upcoming works, exhibitions, and creative endeavors in the future.
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?
I believe the three qualities or skills that have had the greatest impact on my journey are curiosity, resilience, and storytelling.
Curiosity has always driven me to explore new ideas, techniques, and creative possibilities — from experimenting with riso and collage to traveling and observing people, which constantly inspires my illustration and picture book work.
Resilience has helped me face challenges, from moments of self-doubt and comparison to the pressure of deadlines. Learning to stay calm, take breaks, and return with renewed energy has been essential.
Lastly, storytelling has been at the heart of everything I do. Whether through picture books or visual design, the ability to communicate emotions and ideas clearly and meaningfully has connected me with others and given my work purpose.
For those just starting their journey, my advice is: stay curious and keep learning from everything around you; build resilience by allowing yourself to fail and recover, rather than fear mistakes; and practice storytelling by observing life closely and expressing what matters to you in a way others can feel. Over time, these will not only shape your work, but also help you grow as a person.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I am currently seeking a literary agent who can not only help recommend and guide the publication of my picture books in the UK, but also assist me in finding illustration commissions for books. As an illustrator and picture book creator, I am eager to work with professionals who understand both the creative and publishing processes and can help connect my work with the right opportunities.
If you are interested in working together or have advice to share, please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] or through Instagram at @lucia_xinlin.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luciaxin.com
- Instagram: lucia_xinlin
Image Credits
All works are original creations by Lucia Xin.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
