Today we’d like to introduce you to Wenqing Gu.
Hi Wenqing, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When asked to pinpoint my defining trait, many friends described me as a compassionate individual with the unique ability to instill strength in others. This echoes my firm belief that love and tenacity are key to nurturing warmth and freedom in life. Roman Rolland’s words, “There is only one true heroism in the world: to see the world as it is and to love it,” deeply resonate with me. This quote encapsulates the importance of maintaining an open mind, recognizing the world as it truly is, and discovering its beauty, regardless of the challenges we encounter. Currently, my focus lies in children’s books and related products. I feel that my nurturing and warm personality aligns with the needs of children, giving me a unique edge in this sector. My fondness for vibrant colors, distinctive characters, and genuine stories, paired with my whimsical, humorous, and heartwarming illustration style, helps me create works that not only captivate children but also nourish their spirits. I am passionate about crafting illustrations that bring joy and inspiration to children, and I am confident that my unique blend of skills and traits will allow me to thrive in this field.
While my primary drawing tool is an iPad, I am also exploring traditional materials. Over the past six months, I have experimented with various mediums and techniques, such as designing building block toys, plush dolls, and ceramic utensils. These novel forms of creation have broadened my conceptualization from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional world, enabling me to express my ideas in innovative and exciting ways. It has been a thrilling and enriching journey that has contributed to my growth as an artist and designer.
Presently, my main project involves creating children’s books. I am working on a story about a lone-traveling bear named Petru, who shares beautiful sceneries with his friends upon his return. The storyboard is complete, and I’ve begun designing the main character. My aim is to bring the story to life through my illustrations, creating an engaging and relatable experience for children. I am thrilled at the prospect of having my story published in the future and sharing it with a broader audience.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey as an artist has been marked by numerous hurdles and challenges. The artistic life is not solely steeped in spontaneity and romance; it demands persistent practice and consistent effort. I devote my mornings to honing my strokes, experimenting with colors, and drawing inspiration from collages. Often, these exercises aren’t driven by specific tasks or assignments. Instead, they resemble martial arts training, involving repeated practice and leaving no room for complacency.
One of the most significant challenges I face as an independent artist is the relentless pursuit of originality. In this digital era, we have at our fingertips a wealth of artwork from diverse artists via social media platforms. While this exposure can be enriching, it can inadvertently seep into my own work. At times, this influence is beneficial, igniting fresh ideas that meld with my existing thoughts, culminating in unique creations. In such cases, I am conscious of the impact and can utilize it to my advantage.
However, there are instances when the creativity of others can inadvertently restrict my own creative expression, acting as unseen shackles. If my ideas aren’t robust enough, these external influences can act like railway tracks, confining the avenues I can explore. I occasionally find myself treading paths already charted by others, striving to liberate myself from their influence. This phenomenon is often subtle, leading me to mistakenly believe that I’m experiencing a creative drought. Over the years, I’ve been learning to navigate this delicate balance between inspiration and influence.
To surmount these challenges, I’ve devised strategies to foster my creativity while remaining faithful to my artistic vision. I consciously expose myself to a broad spectrum of art forms, extending beyond my medium and spanning various disciplines. This strategy allows me to draw inspiration from diverse sources, expanding my perspective and empowering me to produce truly unique works.
In addition, I actively engage in self-reflection and introspection to reinforce my artistic identity. By consistently delving into my thoughts, emotions, and experiences, I can tap into a reservoir of inspiration that is genuinely authentic to me. This introspective process also enables me to distinguish between external influences and my own creative instincts, thus preserving my originality.
In conclusion, as an artist, I’ve grappled with the challenges of disciplined practice and the pursuit of originality. Through steadfast work and self-reflection, I strive to surmount these obstacles, finding the equilibrium between external inspiration and my unique creative expression. It is through this continual journey that I evolve as an artist, creating meaningful and distinct works of art.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Transitioning from a career in accounting to illustration represented one of my most significant challenges. Upon realizing my passion for illustration, I was consumed with both sadness and anxiety, aware that such a career shift would demand not just the bravery to venture beyond my comfort zone but also the readiness to delve into unexplored territories. However, during this transformative period, I was overwhelmed by the amount of support I received from friends and even strangers. To enhance my skills and knowledge, I enthusiastically pursued learning resources. I began considering myself an artist, practicing collage techniques using newspaper posters, and enrolled in online courses on platforms like Skillshare. My weekends were spent in bookstores, and I amassed a collection of over 300 picture books that served as a fountain of inspiration and provided insights into illustration. I also recognized that my accounting background could blend with my newfound love for art, offering a unique perspective to my work. Seeing my previous experience as an asset rather than a hindrance boosted my energy and confidence as I embarked on this new career path.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I recently had the privilege of participating in a collaborative project with a Baltimore high school. The initiative saw students penning poems, with my responsibility being to craft accompanying illustrations. One poem that deeply resonated with me was “Thousands of Dreams,” written by an 11th-grade African American student. In her verse, she envisaged a world characterized by equality, unity, love, and the freedom to chase dreams. As an illustrator, I endeavored to animate this world through my artwork, choosing to set the scene in local Baltimore neighborhoods and depicting children of varied ethnicities hand-in-hand, soaring through the skies.
This year also saw me collaborating with artist Yafei Liu on a stop-motion animation titled “Taiji Massage.” In this endeavor, my responsibilities spanned storyboarding, setting the environment, and composing the music. The animation narrates the tale of an individual discovering and falling in love with Chinese-style massage. We infused the animation with various representative Asian elements, making it humorous and relatable even for those unfamiliar with the experience. This animation was selected for the Asia North 2023 exhibition and received considerable acclaim from viewers.
These collaborations have afforded me the opportunity to broaden my artistic horizons and to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Through these joint endeavors, I have come to deeply appreciate the power and influence of art. Art serves as a conduit for communication, a vehicle for messages, and a catalyst for emotional resonance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wenqinggu.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wenqing.guuu/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenqing-gu/
