Meet Xiangzi Li

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

Hi Xiangzi, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

When I was still in school, I was like many others—constantly comparing myself to classmates, focusing on ranks and grades, and always trying to stay on top. My grades were fine, but deep down I never felt that was what I truly wanted.

I kept asking myself: What do I really want for myself? During that search, I tried many things—learning languages, doing part-time jobs, and even studying computer programming. But everything changed when I discovered Simon Lee’s sculpture class. That was the moment I knew: this is what I want to do.

I had always been interested in art, but I never imagined myself pursuing it seriously. Back in the place where I grew up, art wasn’t really considered a career path.

I didn’t start learning art until after I turned 30. Before that, I had no training—my only experience was one class in 3rd grade, where I drew freely on paper whatever I wanted. So I was a late starter. But because of that, I told myself I don’t need to compare with others. The only person I need to compare with is the older version of me.

Every time I see improvement in my piece, I feel that I’m on the right path. And once you experience the feeling of shaping sculptures from a simple block of clay to a figure, you can’t stop. It’s like giving life to the clay—the expressions and movements make the sculptures feel alive.

Of course, there are struggles. Sometimes I run out of ideas, and then I’ll go back to my old notes for inspiration and reminders of concepts I haven’t explored yet. That’s why I believe it’s always good to take notes—when creativity strikes, ideas come all at once.
And physically, my hands, wrists, and back often hurt. But after a break, I always return with fresh energy and new ideas.

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 was born and raised in Northeast China and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 23. Without formal art school training, I developed my skills through evening and weekend workshops, driven by curiosity and passion for sculpture. Today, I am dedicated to building my career as a concept sculptor.

For me, the best part of concept sculpting is turning your imagination into something real. My pieces often explore the playful space between cute, creepy, and funny, expressed through bold colors and distinctive personalities.

Through sculpture, I aim to create characters that spark curiosity and invite viewers into worlds that are both whimsical and unsettling, where strangeness becomes something beautiful.

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?

First, ask yourself: Is this truly what you want for yourself? Are you enjoying the process of creating?

Second, focus on your foundation. Sometimes you’ll want to make something purely from imagination—and that’s perfectly fine. It can be just for fun or a sketch to capture your ideas. But when it’s time to bring a piece to completion, a strong foundation will always support and elevate your work.

Lastly, once you’ve made your decision, commit to it—don’t give up. It’s okay to take breaks, but remember always come back. During breaks, you can absorb inspiration from others or from nature. When you return, you’ll find yourself refreshed, with new ideas.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m always open to collaborating with other artists, as long as it involves creating in 3D form. If you’re interested in working together, you can explore my work on Instagram @XLCreatures and reach out to me at [email protected] regarding collaborations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://xlcreatures.com/
• Instagram: xlcreatures

Image Credits

Xiangzi Li