We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yang Zhou a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yang, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
When an individual engages in their preferred pursuit or subject, they unlock the prime potential for immersion and profound exploration. This verity finds distinct resonance within the realm of artistic expression. The artist’s devotion to a beloved subject, juxtaposed with the wellspring of creative ingenuity it yields, exemplifies this phenomenon. Thus, it becomes evident that my personal inclinations towards certain subjects are instrumental in nurturing my artistic inventiveness. Specifically, the domains of fashion, divination, and meditation hold sway over my creative faculties, acting as catalysts for my artistic manifestations.
Within the sphere of fashion, luminaries such as Alexander McQueen, Dior, John Galliano, and the adept lens of fashion photographer Tim Walker serve as beacons of inspiration. Their exquisite craftsmanship, visionary designs, and capacity to encapsulate the allure of haute couture encapsulate my foremost interests. In my ongoing projects, I endeavor to assimilate their distinctive stylistic imprints, molding them to align with my artistic sensibilities.
Nevertheless, my wellspring of creative insight extends beyond the confines of fashion. Daily rituals such as meditation and tarot readings provide me with profound wellsprings of inspiration. Meditation, an age-old spiritual practice rooted in Asian and Buddhist traditions, has garnered modern scientific validation. Extensive research underscores its manifold cognitive benefits. For me, meditation is not solely an intellectual exercise, but a wellspring of abstract, mystical inspiration. Within its tranquil depths, my mind oscillates between serenity and the flux of thoughts, culminating in a harmonious yet enigmatic artistic expression.
The editorial illustrations accompanying this article, one awash in shades of red and the other in serene blue, embody a profusion of abstract motifs entwined with composed bod postures. These visual renderings draw from the symbiotic interplay of motion and stillness inherent in meditation. Backed by a meticulous review of scientific articles on meditation, they epitomize my subjective assimilation of this practice.
As aforementioned, a personalized connection to chosen subjects serves as a stimulus for heightened concentration and imaginative ingenuity. A parallel to meditation’s mystique lies in tarot card reading, an endeavor that unfurls an analogous mystical encounter. The mystic dimensions of tarot cards etched an indelible mark during my formative years. This lasting influence is an active element within my artistic oeuvre today. Echoing this resonance, artists such as Yoshitaka Amano and the manga collective CLAMP have curated their own tarot decks. Thus, my aspiration to fashion divinatory tools for voyaging into the recesses of one’s future and inner landscapes is born.
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?
As a freelance illustration artist, my areas of keen interest encompass fashion design, costume design, and tarot cards. The delightful aspect of my work lies in crafting fashion and costume designs and seamlessly incorporating them into my fashion advertising illustrations. Not only does this endeavor satisfy my artistic compulsion to draw, but it also satiates my passion for fashion design as a true enthusiast.
Moreover, I take immense pride in my proficiency in designing tarot cards and envisaging their future utilization in guiding my acquaintances. My intention is to employ these tarot cards altruistically, aiding others in finding answers to the questions that inevitably arise throughout their life journeys. By doing so, I aspire to extend a helping hand to those around me, channeling the mystique of tarot to illuminate their paths ahead. However, my tarot cards have not completely finished, Thoth tarot is choose for divination.
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?
Having undergone a rigorous nine-year art education in China, I acquired invaluable skills in observational painting, mastering highly effective techniques. Through relentless and unwavering dedication, I honed my abilities, fostering a seamless synergy between my hands and eyes, thus enabling me to meticulously portray the subjects of my choice, be it figures, still lifes, or landscapes.
In light of my experience, I wholeheartedly recommend aspiring artists to embrace the philosophy of continuous practice. Repeatedly employing these techniques during your learning process is key. True artistic growth unfolds as one diligently hones their craft, consistently refining their skills through practice and repetition. Remember, artists achieve excellence by persevering and training persistently, an unwavering commitment that invariably leads to remarkable achievements.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Meditation, recognized as a powerful mind training technique, has garnered significant attention from scientists for its effectiveness in alleviating stress. Engaging in Mindfulness meditation has been a method I incorporate regularly into my life, even during periods of relatively low stress. The benefits it brings are undeniable.
In the digital age, we now have the convenience of various meditation apps readily available on our smartphones. These apps offer plenty of guided meditation sessions and tools to help individuals train their minds and achieve a sense of calm. Embracing these resources merely requires conquering the barriers of laziness and procrastination, empowering oneself to take charge of their mental well-being.
If you find yourself unsure about meditation’s true essence, I strongly recommend delving into the wealth of research articles exploring the effects of meditation on cognitive improvement. By doing so, you will gain a deeper understanding of the compelling reasons behind my suggestion to embrace meditation as a key aspect of your daily routine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yangzhouart.com/
- Instagram: @sunmoonstarwitch
- Other: E-mail : sunmoonstarwitch@outlook. com
Image Credits
Schiaparelli Daniel Roseberry
