Meet Phoebe O Chou

We were lucky to catch up with Phoebe O Chou recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Phoebe, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Confidence is built through the accumulation of small improvements. I like to set to-do lists and small goals for different periods, and each time I complete a task, I check it off. It may seem small, but over time, these accomplishments have helped me understand my capabilities.

The more you know yourself, the more confident you become. When you clearly understand your strengths and limitations, other people’s opinions have less influence on you. Ultimately, self-awareness is the foundation of true confidence.

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 Phoebe O Chou, a freelance illustrator still exploring and shaping my own visual language. My work reflects who I am as a woman, blending a cute and witty spirit with a mysterious yet bright vibe. I enjoy intellectual challenges, and I believe diligence and persistence are core qualities that define my life. When people compliment me by saying, ‘You’re so talented!’ I always respond with a smile and say, ‘Thank you! I’m not naturally gifted—I just work very hard.’

I’ve also noticed that the illustration industry can feel quite narrow, so I’m working to expand those boundaries. I co-founded Pretty Wishes, a self-published risograph magazine dedicated to fostering a supportive community for female artists. It’s a seasonal publication, and with my two teammates, we’ve already collaborated with over ten female illustrators—and the list keeps growing.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The most important skill, in my opinion, is the bravery to try new things. Even though a wealth of information is available online, some things can only be understood by experiencing them firsthand. It took me a long time to fully commit to pursuing art, but I don’t see that time as wasted—every step has been meaningful in shaping who I am.

Secondly, love for the world—the passion to enjoy life and find the fun in everyday moments.

Lastly, I believe reading is a powerful skill. It helps me understand the world and deepens my understanding of myself from many different perspectives.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

I’m still facing many of the same challenges common to illustrators —finding my unique voice or style. In the past, I’ve been told that my work didn’t feel ‘me’ enough. I wondered why my work brought this kind of critique.

I asked myself who I was and what I wanted to express in visual language. Over the past year, I’ve slowed down my pace, spending more time reading and reflecting, trying to figure out how to be more ‘myself’ in my art.

I’ve realized recently that I’m still becoming ‘me’, and that’s okay. Instead of stressing over having a perfectly defined style, I’m focusing on creating new work and trying anything that feels right. I believe that as long as I keep going, my voice will eventually become clear. The process itself is the answer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://phoebe-ochou.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/phoebe_ochou
• Other: Pretty Wishes Magazine: https://www.phoebepaper.com/pretty-wishes-issue-01

Image Credits

phoebeochou-05 (Photography: Zhenyu Pan)