Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Angela Wei. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Angela, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I used to be quite insecure in high school, especially as a student who was more specialized in certain subjects compared to the straight-A kids. That insecurity followed me all the way through college applications, until I experienced, for the first time, what it felt like to be truly seen and recognized for something I was good at. That external validation pulled me out of years of self-doubt and underestimating myself.
We’re often told not to care about what others think, but to be honest, peer pressure is very real. That early recognition empowered me to build confidence as I grew older, especially after discovering illustration and realizing how powerful it is as a visual language. It gave me a way to express opinions and communicate ideas with a clarity and freedom I had never experienced before.
So I believe that accepting both your limitations and strengths, and finding your own language—whether it’s verbal, visual, or something else—is a big step toward self-esteem. Being well-rounded is great, but having a deep skill, using it fully, and seeing it valued can be just as empowering.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an illustrator and children’s book artist. Recently, I’ve been working on my thesis book project, Pip’s Expectations, a reinterpretation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations. I love creating illustrations inspired by classic literature, musicals, and plays I’ve loved. Through my own lens, I hope to retell these timeless stories and introduce them to children and readers from cultures where these tales might not be as well known.
My illustrations don’t shy away from the deeper messages of the original works, but I add a twist to make them more child-friendly and accessible. I hope my reinterpretations can spark a love of literature in young readers and encourage them to explore more stories on their own.
Recently, I received some exciting news: the cover illustration of Pip’s Expectations was longlisted for the World Illustration Awards, and one of the interior pages, Christmas Dinner at the Gargery’s Place, was selected for the Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship Competition. I was genuinely overjoyed and honored, it was a real boost of motivation for someone just starting out in their career. This month, I have also created card illustrations for a board game studio. Seeing my artwork printed and turned into actual products that people use has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling!
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?
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is to not isolate myself. As artists, we spend a lot of time in our heads, but illustration is meant to communicate. Sharing work, listening to feedback, and talking with people outside our field has helped me understand how others read my images. It’s not about pleasing everyone, but to better understand how your message lands. Staying open and connected keeps my art grounded, and reminds me that illustration is a dialogue, not a monologue.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I’m very interested in collaborating with publishers, especially those focused on children’s books. I’m also eager to work with children’s book authors to create new and original stories together.
Additionally, due to my strong personal interests, I welcome opportunities to design posters for films or theater productions, as well as to create illustrations for card games and cultural merchandise—areas I’m currently working in.
If you’re interested in collaborating, please feel free to reach out to me via my email address or other social media platforms listed at the end of the page.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angelawei.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelawei_art?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Other: email: wym.angela@gmail.com
Image Credits
Angela Wei
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