We recently connected with Ziyan Bai and have shared our conversation below.
Ziyan, we are so deeply grateful to you for opening up about your journey with mental health in the hops that it can help someone who might be going through something similar. Can you talk to us about your mental health journey and how you overcame or persisted despite any issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
During my transition from nursing to art, I went through a period of intense emotional turbulence. The pressure of changing careers, cultural expectations, and the uncertainty of becoming a full-time artist often triggered anxiety and self-doubt.
What helped me persist was turning those emotional experiences into creative material. Through oil painting and printmaking, I explored themes of body, memory, and vulnerability. Art became not just my expression, but my therapy. I also learned to set boundaries, prioritize rest, and seek help when needed.
I now embrace mental health not as a weakness, but as part of the human condition—one that deepens my empathy and artistic voice.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m Ziyan Bai – an artist, illustrator, and makeup artist with a background in nursing. My creative journey began in the hospitals in Beijing, where I first became fascinated by the vulnerability, complexity, and resilience of the human body. After transitioning from healthcare to the arts, I’ve been devoted to visual storytelling that explores the intersections of body, memory, and identity.
I work across mediums – from oil painting and charcoal drawing to printmaking, makeup artistry, and wearable objects. My past in nursing gave me a tactile sensitivity and a deep sense of empathy that continues to shape how I approach both faces and canvases. I’m particularly drawn to subjects like transformation, contradiction, and healing – both emotional and physical.
What excites me most is creating work that feels intimate and alive, often inviting viewers into a space where care and discomfort coexist. I believe art can be both gentle and confrontational, and I want my work to hold that duality.
Right now, I’m preparing for a semester abroad at LUCA School of Arts in Belgium—an experience that will let me immerse myself in Europe’s rich artistic traditions, absorb new perspectives, and expand my practice through fresh collaborations and bodies of work.
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, three things have been especially impactful in my journey:
Empathy
Coming from a nursing background, I learned early on how to care for others not just physically, but emotionally. That same empathy now drives my creative work—it helps me connect deeply with my subjects and my audience. For those starting out: develop your emotional awareness. Listen more. Observe quietly. Empathy is a superpower in both life and art.
Adaptability Across Mediums
I never confined myself to one material. Switching between oil, charcoal, makeup, and printmaking keeps my process alive and ever-evolving. Don’t be afraid to try unfamiliar tools or formats. Each medium teaches you something new about yourself—and about storytelling.
Being Unafraid to Start Over
Transitioning from nursing to art wasn’t easy. I had to relearn everything, often from scratch, and sit with the discomfort of being a beginner. My advice? Don’t let fear of imperfection stop you. Growth comes from starting again, from failing, from asking questions. Reinvention isn’t a detour—it’s part of the path.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, definitely. I’d love to collaborate with people working in magazines, publishing, or any kind of design-related field—editorial, branding, fashion. I’m especially drawn to projects where illustration, story, and aesthetics meet.
I’m also curious about how my work can live in the real world—on paper, on skin, in objects. Whether it’s a zine, a beauty campaign, or something unexpected, I’m open.
If you’re building something thoughtful, a little offbeat, and care about visuals that feel honest—let’s talk. You can reach me at ziyanbaiart@gmail.com or DM me on Instagram: @ziyanbai_art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ziyanbaiart.cargo.site
- Instagram: ziyanbai_art
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziyanbai
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