Meet Lulu Jiang

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lulu Jiang. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lulu below.

Lulu, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

Discipline—not just inspiration—is what keeps creativity alive.
I’ve always liked the quote, “Do things you are not comfortable with.” As an artist, I believe that creativity is only one part of the process—the bigger part is discipline. The creative process requires showing up consistently, producing a large body of work, and pushing boundaries to keep your artistic vision evolving. Claude Monet painted over 250 oil paintings of Water Lilies before finding the one that truly captured his imagination.

For me, that same dedication drives my art practice. Since earning my MFA, I’ve continuously pursued higher education and new skills to expand my creative perspective. I’ve taken over nine continuing education classes and received more than four certificates in design, fine art, and art business. Each experience deepens my understanding of the art world and fuels my creativity.

Showing up for yourself—even when you don’t feel inspired—is essential to maintaining creative motivation. Make a plan, build a daily routine, and balance effort with reward. Based on psychological research, small creative habits that bring joy release dopamine, encouraging consistency and long-term creativity. Over time, this rhythm turns discipline into inspiration—proving that structure doesn’t limit creativity; it sustains it.

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?

My name is Lulu Jiang—a Beijing-born, New York–based Multimedia Designer and Art Director.

Since moving to NYC in 2014, art exhibitions became a key part of my life. I found inspiration not only in the art but in conversations with the artists. With years in News and Advertising, I understand the power of storytelling—and as an artist, I know the challenge of isolation and limited exposure.

Curiosity led me to start filming artist interviews, exploring their personal and creative worlds.
That’s how Hot Water Cool Art was born.

Hot Water Cool Art is a community for all art lovers.

It offers a collection of Artist interviews, Inspiring Artist Stories, Behind the Scenes with Artists, Advice for artists and art tips and tricks.

We aim to make the art world more accessible, foster transparency through engaging artist interviews, and build a creative community where artists uplift one another.

Join us at Artists & Fleas Williamsburg on Dec 20–21 or Jan 10–11 for a Hot Water Cool Art Holiday Market! Discover one-of-a-kind artworks, support local artists, and take home something truly original.

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?

3 qualities: Determined, Joyful, Creative..
3 skills: Great listener, Bold, Curious

The best advice or motto I follow is “Figure out what you want and find a way to ask for it.” It’s about taking the initiative, it’s about believe in yourself

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One book that has had a big impact on my personal growth is Think Again by Adam Grant. The book taught me that real intelligence isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about having the courage to rethink, question, and unlearn. Grant reminds us that curiosity and humility are powerful tools for learning and for becoming better versions of ourselves.

Coming from Asia, where traditional values often shape the way people think and make decisions, this message really resonated with me. Before reading the book, I used to make quick judgments and hold onto my opinions tightly. Think Again helped me slow down, look at things from different perspectives, and realize that changing my mind doesn’t mean I’m wrong — it means I’m growing.

That’s why I’m always curious and full of questions. This mindset even inspired me to start my artist interview podcast, Hot Water Cool Art, where I talk with creatives about their ideas and experiences in the art world. Through these conversations, I keep practicing what the book taught me — to stay humble, listen deeply, and keep learning from others.

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