An Inspired Chat with Cecily Su of Guangzhou

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Cecily Su. Check out our conversation below.

Cecily, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
This is a deeply philosophical question.
When I was younger, I wanted to become a great artist. I dreamed of my work becoming widely known and of achieving success at a young age. I hoped I could collaborate with luxury brands, and that the money I earned would allow me to fly first class on every trip. They were all beautiful daydreams.
But as I entered the real world and began living as an illustrator, I realized how difficult everything is. I am not exceptionally gifted, and I am not the protagonist of a movie. I have failed competitions, taken on some jobs that paid very little, and learned that my art is not loved by everyone. I still feel anxious when I see my colleagues growing faster than I, and I wonder if stopping means falling behind.
But the truth is, even if I stop, the world keeps turning. The sun still rises, and nothing collapses. I am grateful that I am allowed to pause because I live with my parents. Even if my work is not known by ten thousand people, I will try to reach one thousand. If it fails this time, I will try again. At the end of the day, I am only responsible for my own pace.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Cecily. I am an illustrator currently based in Guangzhou. I have been working as a freelance illustrator for seven months since graduating from the School of Visual Arts.

My work focuses on creating imaginative, story-driven illustrations inspired by fairy tales and fantasy. I believe storytelling is essential to strong visual communication, and I aim to create images that invite viewers to explore the narratives behind them.

I am available for a wide range of illustration commissions, including product illustrations, posters, and custom projects. Alongside commissioned work, I also create original illustrations and turn them into various products that I sell at art fairs, such as rugs, postcards, keychains, stickers, fridge magnets, and more.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, probably influenced by so many fantasy films and Disney stories, I believed that I had unique talents that set me apart from others. I was special, different, even the protagonist of the world (Although it is a common saying that everyone is the most special one). I thought success would come easily to me, and that all my daydreams would naturally come true.
That belief began to shift when I entered university and moved to New York. Surrounded by truly talented peers, I started to understand what real excellence looks like.
I experienced failure in competitions and rejection from galleries where my classmates all got into it. Over time, I realized that this experience is not unusual — it is, in fact, the reality for most people.
Rather than saying, I no longer believe that I am the main character. I learned to accept something more important: that it is okay to be ordinary, and it is okay to fail. This realization has helped me immensely. It has taught me humility, patience, and the value of steady effort. I believe that even an ordinary person, through persistence and effort, can one day arrive at something meaningful.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
Around June, I applied to an art fair I deeply wanted to be part of, called The Witches’ Feast. It is very competitive. Even while preparing to graduate, I continued to create new work specifically for this application. I was confident I would be selected.
Unfortunately, I was rejected, and I cried for a long time. I blamed myself and struggled to accept that my efforts didn’t pay off. The rejection left me stuck in a state of self-doubt.
At the same time, I applied to the Shanghai Illustration Art Festival and was accepted. Preparing for it quickly took over my life —designing products, communicating with manufacturers, packaging, and promoting my work online.  
It was my first time participating in such a large-scale professional art festival in China; previously, I had only attended school markets. Many unexpected challenges arose. During that time, I began to think differently. Perhaps the rejection of that Art fair was preparing me for this opportunity. If I had been accepted into The Witches’ Feast and Shanghai Illustration Art Festival at the same time, I might not have been able to handle either properly. Looking back, I believe things unfolded in the order they needed to.

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’m committed to drawing for as long as I can. I once heard a saying that really stayed with me: drawing isn’t about who is the most talented, but about who keeps going the longest. This idea has become something I hold onto every time I fail. And it gives me the determination to stand back up and continue.
Because of this, maintaining both physical and mental health is essential to me. Drawing is something I want to do for my entire life, and without a healthy body and mind, I would not have the time or strength to keep creating.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I would understand this question as Would I give my full effort to every piece of work — and my answer is yes! I try to do everything as well as I can. Whenever I feel lazy or close to giving up, I always ask myself whether my future self would regret it. Then I push myself to keep going.
Even without praise from others, I would still choose to give my best. I’ve learned that encouragement doesn’t always have to come from outside. Sometimes, quietly telling myself “you’ve done well” means more.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: galax_daydreamer
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Cecily Su