We recently connected with Yuanyuan Zhou and have shared our conversation below.
Yuanyuan, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Being a Asian female artist with STEM background, I don’t fit in the stereotype of an artist, I don’t share a lot similarities with my cohort when I was a grad-student and with my colleagues when I am working as a lecturer in college. Stay true to myself, keep the creativity and originality and to be empathic, resonate with people have helped me went through most of my difficult times, and all the way to be a illustrator and educator.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As a illustrator and a educator, I did not want to limit myself, instead, I am currently exploring the wide breadth of career options with my broad interest and honing my skills for all possible markets that I can picture my illustration live. From editorial illustration to children’s books, to exhibitions and even merchandising, teaching art also added another dimension for current and future exploration.
At the moment, I refer to myself an accountant- turned illustrator, currently work as an lecturer for 2 colleges, My works has been recognized by many well known international competitions. I actively attend illustration conferences and engage with diverse art communities from local Asian art fairs to national and international level organizational conferences. I have gained experience working with established and well-regarded entities for editorial works. My works has also been recognized by esteemed art magazines. Right now I primarily focus on working for editorial illustration, and on contact with publishers to develop my two book pitches for picture’s book and one set of card design, and I will soon have my solo exhibition organized in New York in May.
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?
The ability to analyze and solve a problem with multiple perspectives is important. Often the time, I would constantly telling myself to don’t have one point of view overshadowed by another one that less important for one issue. I rely on my aesthetic and technical skills to create artworks and make my concept come to a finished piece, but for most of my commissioned works, I find my education, background and identity, to view and think as an accountant, a female and a Asian helped me a lot for conceptualization. Illustration for me is to communicate, and our audiences come with a diverse ethics and background, and creating art that relates is my goal.
Also, to play my own strength, and build a knowledge network to connect between topics really helped me for my professional growth, and I also shared with my students. In schools, students often get practices for skill training, and get exposed to artists, artworks and gallery talks, but the reality being a illustrator also requires knowledge of finance and regulation. For the needs of those topics, I brought the business side of illustration to students by teaching them self promotion, contract negotiation etc. I put my professional and practical knowledge in use and found my place perfectly between illustration and finance as a lecturer and been able to guide students and have them better prepared for the market after school. It had been a great feeling to find your own voice and share with people who need.
Persistence is another quality I value the most. When I was newly started to be a illustrator, I had felt lost for while, years of experience with numbers trained me a way of thinking and the longing for one correct answer, but art doesn’t have one answer. After talk with other artists and practice, I realized art may not have one only answer, but learned the ability to criticize artworks, discover the passion and improve my aesthetic and skills based on that is the solution. Being persist and reflects on works and decisions helped me to grow in the long run.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Collaboration always sounds exciting to me! For the last two years, I had been collaborate with American artists for US Consulate themed mural projects and received so many positive feedbacks, I would love to work together for more murals. I am also currently working on my book pitch, I would love to hear from editors and authors’ perspective.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yuanyuanzhou.com
- Instagram: @yuanyuanzhou_art
