We’re looking forward to introducing you to Yian Lee. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Yian, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I usually wake up around 7 a.m. and start my day with a cup of coffee. I light some palo santo and play a bit of meditative music. Sometimes I don’t meditate right away—I just sit by the window, zone out a little, and let the day slowly begin. Before or after meditation, I write my morning pages, a habit I picked up after reading The Artist’s Way a year ago. It helps me organize and clear out scattered thoughts. If I have enough time before logging in for work (I work remotely from home), I like to do some painting.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Yian Lee, a Taiwan-born artist based in New York. With a background that spans fashion, digital art, and visual design, I’ve always been drawn to the intersection between aesthetics and emotion. I began my creative journey as a stylist and digital illustrator, but over time, I taught myself to paint as a way to connect more deeply with my inner world.
My paintings explore the subconscious and the idea of belonging through abstract geometry and intuitive forms. Each piece feels like a quiet conversation between my thoughts and intuition, a process that continues to evolve with me. I’m currently planning to create a card deck that extends this dialogue, allowing others to explore their own inner landscapes through art and reflection.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
There was a version of me I once tried to become, an ideal self shaped entirely by logic and control. I used to believe that being rational and detached from emotions meant being safe. Anything overly emotional felt chaotic, unpredictable, even threatening. So I built a mental image of strength that came from restraint, not expression.
But through the turns and breaks of life, I realized that denying my emotions was another form of fear. The more I tried to suppress them, the further I drifted from my own truth. Now I understand that real strength comes from embracing my darkness, my softness, and my vulnerability. Letting that rigid version of myself go has allowed me to feel more whole, more human, and ultimately more connected to my art.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
At first, I didn’t even realize I was expressing pain through my paintings. I told myself and others that everything was fine, but in front of the canvas, something deeper took over. My emotions began to surface through color, rhythm, and form in ways I couldn’t control. It was as if my subconscious was speaking before I could understand what it was saying.
Through that process, I started to see my pain not as something to hide, but as something to listen to. Each painting became a conversation with my own vulnerability, helping me recognize my complexity and humanity. As I learned to face myself more honestly, my perspective toward the world also shifted. I became more accepting of chaos, of other people’s contradictions, and of the many ways a person can exist and choose to live.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am fully devoted to creating my card deck project, which merges visual art, symbolism, and inner reflection. It started as a personal experiment, a way to transform my emotions and abstract paintings into something that could also speak to others. Each card embodies a moment of awareness, a state of being, and a fragment of the ongoing search for belonging and meaning.
This project has been unfolding at its own pace, guided by intuition rather than deadlines. I see it as a growing body of work that mirrors my own evolution as an artist and individual. Through the process, I have come to realize that creating is not only about producing something beautiful, but about understanding myself more deeply. My goal is to make a deck that feels both poetic and contemplative, one that encourages people to slow down, look inward, and reconnect with themselves. No matter how long it takes, this is a journey I am committed to honoring fully.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will remember me as someone who lived truthfully. To me, authenticity is not about doing whatever I want or ignoring others, but about taking full responsibility for my choices, values, and the life I create. It is about being honest with myself, even when that honesty is uncomfortable, and allowing my art and actions to come from a place of integrity rather than expectation.
Throughout my journey, I have learned that living truthfully means embracing contradictions and remaining present with uncertainty. It is about being courageous enough to evolve, to let go of identities that no longer fit, and to stand by what feels real to me in each moment. If people remember me as someone who dared to live with sincerity, vulnerability, and awareness, that would be enough. I hope my work and presence can remind others that being true to oneself is not a destination, but a continual act of devotion and courage.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yianleearts.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yi.ann.lee/
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