We recently connected with Lava Wu and have shared our conversation below.
Lava, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Many people have succumbed to mediocrity in the trivialities of daily life, forsaking their ability to discover beauty and abandoning their attitude of continuous learning and reading. Inspiration often arises from those fleeting moments when beauty is discovered. Keep a keen sense of observation, continue reading and learning, observe your surroundings, and engage in thoughtful reflection. By doing so, you will have a steady stream of inspiration
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I transitioned from an Economics background to pursue Illustration and Fine Art, where I extensively utilize mixed media. Exploring materials with critical thinking to blend them with narratives enriches my artistic process. I’m particularly drawn to fantasy, dark humor, and dreamcore themes, which I imbue with strong storytelling and metaphors. I aspire for the audience to engage like detectives, uncovering the clues intentionally embedded within my art.”
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Every newcomer to a field must grasp the fundamentals of that discipline. In the case of art, this entails dedicating time to honing skills in sketching and painting, improving skills in composition, body shape, light, and shadow etc. Additionally, learning art history is crucial—identifying your artistic “masters” and learning from the history. Finally, defining personal meanings is paramount: what does art signify to you, and which themes or subjects hold significance?
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m currently exploring creating more 3D-based projects with the assistance of generative AI (eg. Runway). I’d love to collaborate with filmmakers, animators, and HCI experts to work on projects for AI film festivals, commercial pursuits, or broader visual applications such as marketing and advertising contexts.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alkali_lava/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qifanlavawu/
