Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sherry Liu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sherry, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Since becoming a mother, I’ve often felt like clay being relentlessly kneaded—my child’s presence both shatters me and reshapes me. While pursuing my MFA at SCAD, I’ve been shuttling between classrooms and playgrounds with my two-year-old son, watching his crayon scribbles and my sketchbook grow into a symbiotic relationship.
One winter afternoon last year, I slumped on the playmat revising my thesis sketches, listening to the “scratch-scratch” of his crayon clawing at the wall. By academic standards, it should have been noise, but when I looked up, I froze: he was sweeping the crayon sideways to create a cobalt blue wave, its texture as raw as Van Gogh’s starry sky, while neon pink paint on his fingertips dotted the crest with dancing jellyfish-like circles. In that moment, I realized what really moves me about children’s art isn’t “form,” but the “immersion” of bellies pressed to the floor and noses nearly grazing the paper.
I began incorporating his “destruction zones” into my creative process. When he spills my carefully mixed watercolors onto linen, I trace the bleeding edges to outline the little tailor’s banner; his shredded collage scraps become costume textures in my picture books. SCAD professors taught me the golden ratio for composition, but my child taught me that “accidents are structure itself”.
The secret to keeping creativity alive? Perhaps it’s allowing oneself to occasionally regress to the age of two—to maintain a child’s hunger for the world, and an artist’s honesty toward that hunger.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
About Me
I’m a mom, an illustrator, and a storyteller who loves creating vibrant, fun, and colorful works that build magical worlds for children. I focus on crafting children’s books, hoping to inspire joy and ignite imagination through my illustrations.
Spending time with kids has taught me to see the world through their eyes, discovering the cuteness and beauty that surround us every day.
These precious moments become the source of inspiration for my work. I enjoy designing characters and scenes with lively compositions and bright colors, bringing each illustration to life with warmth and energy.
I hope my work brings a touch of whimsy and beauty to you!
Featured Projects
1. 《The Brave Little Tailor》 (18×10 inches)
Concept: A bold reimagining of the Grimm Brothers’ classic, this series amplifies the tailor’s wit and resilience through electrifying color clashes and dynamic compositions.
2. 《Suiren Makes Fire》 (18×10 inches)
Inspiration: Reinterpreting the Chinese myth of Suirenshi, the fire-bringer, this work delves into the symbolism of primal ingenuity.
Connect
– Portfolio: www.sherryliuart.com
– Instagram: sherry.illu
– Email: [email protected]
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?
Looking back, I believe the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey as a children’s illustrator are hard work, creativity, and optimism.
Hard Work: Balancing raising my child while pursuing my studies has been incredibly challenging. My time has always been tightly packed, but I pushed through with determination. For anyone early in their journey, my advice is to embrace the grind. There will always be challenges, but dedication and perseverance are key to making progress.
Creativity: As an illustrator, creativity and imagination are essential. I’m always trying to find new ways to express ideas and stories through my art. To improve your creativity, I recommend staying curious, trying new things, and not being afraid to make mistakes. Let your imagination roam free and allow it to guide your work.
Optimism: Life can be stressful, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. But I always choose to stay optimistic, even in the toughest times. My son’s smile brings me a lot of strength and positivity. For those starting out, my advice is to stay positive and believe in the journey, even when things seem overwhelming. Optimism will help you keep going, no matter the obstacles.
These qualities have been the foundation of my success, and I encourage others to nurture them in their own way.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
The most instrumental person in my journey has been my husband, an aircraft engineer. His immense support in both daily life and professional endeavors has been invaluable. He helped me recognize the profound connection between artists and aerospace engineers—we are both translators of the universe. While he calculates the trajectories of stars with equations, I paint the paths of fairy tales with color blocks. Whenever I face creative challenges or overwhelming pressure, he quietly steps in to handle family responsibilities, allowing me to focus fully on my work. His practical support has given me endless strength to remain calm under stress and keep moving forward.
His practical advice, problem-solving skills, and emotional support have been especially crucial in balancing the demands of family and career. It is through his selfless assistance and encouragement that I’ve been able to overcome obstacles and continue growing and evolving as a children’s illustrator.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sherryliuart.com
- Instagram: sherry.illu
Image Credits
Sherry Liu
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
