Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Fangyuan (or Bella) Han. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Fangyuan (or Bella), really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I first decided that illustration was my reason for living when I was in fifth grade. Growing up, I didn’t have many friends. My parents were busy, so I spent a lot of time alone at the park. No one really taught me how to make friends. Then in second grade, I figured out that if I stuck to people like a puppy, constantly talking to them, they’d start seeing me as a close friend. It worked well actually. I had five best friends by fourth grade. I was so proud and confident, I walked down the street like I was on a runway.
Yet that confidence shattered quickly. I remember it so clearly. It was the beginning of fifth grade, and our PE teacher let us go play after taking attendance. Like always, I went to join my friends. But for some reason, I just couldn’t reach them. I watched them running ahead on the bright red track, glancing back at me, then running faster. It was in September, still hot enough in the southern city where I lived to fry an egg on the pavement, but I felt cold all over.
Later, one of them handed me a note. It said: “You talk too much.”
After that, I lost the puppy-like energy I once had. I stopped wanting to speak, but I still had things I needed to express. So I turned to drawing.
Drawing is silent. Aside from the soft sound of pencil on paper, it doesn’t make a noise. But it’s louder than words. It says what I can’t, reflecting who I am, recording what I feel. And it gives others a choice: they can decide whether or not to listen. It’s a voice that will never be abandoned by their audience.
That’s why drawing became my voice. Don’t really know if it’s going to be my lifetime purpose, but I’ve already been doing it for thirteen years now. It’s more than a way to make a living, or a purpose—it’s how I live.
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 currently working on developing my own IP. The concept is to help and raise awareness of the importance of physical health to the young generation. With informative zines and herbal teas, it’s designed to help art students deal with common physical problems with affective and affordable methods. By improving physical health, the zine fosters better mental well-being.
So far, I created a character—a chubby tuxedo cat with cow-like spots. Centered around this character, I’ve designed a zine called “The Self Curing Manuscript For Art Students”. Along with it are ilustrations for six types of flower and herbal teas—each designed for one common diseases art students tend to have.
Looking ahead, I plan to expand this IP by creating more characters and developing the stories behind them, all with the goal of spreading awareness about maintaining physical wellness. The project is still in its early stages, so if anyone’s interested in this topic, I’d love to connect and possibly collaborate!
I also recently received an offer from the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program at the School of Visual Arts. During grad school, I hope to take this idea further—using illustration not just to highlight physical health, but also as a way to support mental health.
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 most important qualities are stability, self-discipline, and the courage to push beyond limits.
Stability has been the most helpful trait for me professionally. I recently completed a remote illustration internship with Oxford University Press, and my supervisor told me that one of my biggest strengths was my steady attitude and consistent output. In urgent or challenging situations, I’m often the first to stay calm and adjust the plan. Even when there are major differences of opinion, I’m able to communicate openly and respectfully. While stability might not be the first quality people associate with artists, it’s something that collaborators truly value in a working relationship.
The second is self-discipline, or having healthy habits. Before I turned 19, I often stayed up late to draw, and it took a toll on my health. I eventually realized that staying up all night didn’t actually make me more productive—it just left me exhausted the next day. A healthy body and mind don’t just make us happier, they also give us the energy we need to work, learn, and explore new opportunities.
Lastly, also the one I’m still learning, is the courage to go beyond your comfort zone. I used to avoid trying new things simply because they felt unfamiliar. But I’ve learned that once you take the first step, it’s rarely as scary as you imagined. Every attempt—whether it works out or not—opens up new possibilities. So I always remind myself to stay open and keep trying.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I’d like to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to my college professor, Frances Jetter.
Frances, much like her work, carries a certain mystery and intensity. When I first met her, I was honestly a bit nervous to even speak to her. She’s a strict teacher, someone who tells you directly where your work falls short. I still remember our first project. She completely rejected all of my sketches. That was the first time I had ever had all my sketches thrown out. I went home and cried while redrawing everything. But looking back, those sketches really needed that do-over, and it was those moments of blunt honesty that helped me grow the most. Every time I sat across from her, I had this fire in my chest. I was deeply driven to earn her approval.
For our final project, I finally took the leap and created a pop-up book, something I had wanted to try for a long time but had always postponed. I ended up putting in triple the expected workload. But it was all worth it. Even though she was masked due to the pandemic, I could see the pride in her eyes. That moment stayed with me.
After that, I dove into more handmade book projects—tunnel books, silkscreen pop-ups, bookbinding. Within just a year, I went from someone afraid to step out of their comfort zone to someone eager to explore. Her directness also taught me how to take critique—openly, but with confidence. And thanks to the intensity of that year, I learned how to manage my time and juggle multiple projects at once.
Frances has been the most important mentor I’ve known in college years. She may seem stern, but she has one of the warmest, kindest souls I’ve ever met. We’re still in touch, and she’s still someone I turn to when I feel lost. I’ll always be grateful to her.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dearbellasforest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dear_bellasforest/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bella-han-1436222aa/
Image Credits
All image credit goes to Fangyuan Han, except the last pic where I hold a microphone, which goes to Utopia. ([email protected]_)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
