Meet Lisa Zhao

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

Hi Lisa, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

A lot of times in life, I’ve felt buried under stress and pressure. Instead of pushing me forward, it shuts me down. It took me a while to realize that proper self-care is necessary for maintaining a healthy mindset and staying motivated. I’ve learned that doing nothing is sometimes the best self-care. I give myself permission to rest without guilt—whether that’s lying on the couch with a book, or going out to wander the city. I allow myself to “not work” when I don’t feel much inspired, and that’s totally okay. When I come back to my work, I feel way more grounded and motivated.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m Lisa Zhao, a children’s book author and illustrator based in New York, originally from China. I recently graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in Illustration. Growing up, I read tons of children’s books—stories by Astrid Lindgren, Shel Silverstein, and Eric Carle were my favorites. Those books stayed with me and shaped how I see the world, which is why I’m so passionate about storytelling that sparks imagination and emotional connection.

As an illustrator, I specialize in creating vibrant, heartfelt images, mostly using gouache on paper. As an author, I love drawing from my own childhood and capturing quiet, everyday moments. I want my work to feel gentle, nostalgic, and a little bit whimsical.

I recently completed a 36-page picture book and have been focusing more on children’s book illustration and narrative work. There are more stories in the works, and I can’t wait to share what’s next.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Curiosity kept me exploring different kinds of stories and styles—even outside of illustration. Observation helped me draw from real life. A lot of my work is inspired by small, quiet moments—things you’d miss if you weren’t paying attention. And then there’s persistence—maybe the unglamorous but most important one. Creative growth isn’t linear. There were (and still are!) moments of self-doubt, frustration, or just feeling stuck. But I kept showing up. That’s really what moved things forward. My advice is to stay curious, be patient with yourself, and keep making things even when they’re messy. You’ll grow more than you realize, especially when you look back a year from now.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

One book that’s played a huge role in my development is Hot Dog by Doug Salati. I stumbled upon it during my second year in college when I was still unsure about which direction my illustration work should take. That book reminded me that storytelling, especially in children’s books, can be deeply powerful, even if the message is simple. It opened my eyes to the emotional depth that picture books can hold—not just for kids, but for adults too. It was the moment I realized I wanted to create work that could offer that kind of quiet magic: something comforting, gentle, and emotionally resonant. It’s no exaggeration to say Hot Dog was one of the biggest reasons I stepped into the world of children’s book illustration!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lisa-zhao.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.cosmicfish
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazhao-art/