Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lu Liu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Lu, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

So, about how I picked up the craft – I dove into printmaking for quite a few years before switching gears to illustration. My professor, Robert T. Brown, was this incredibly skilled technician with a personality that just lit up the room. Everyone adored him, and he was basically the heart and soul of our department.
Under Robert’s wing, I soaked up way more than just new printmaking techniques. He opened my eyes to art philosophy, creative approaches, and – no joke – how to be a better human being overall.
In my mid-twenties, while studying with Robert, I was dead set on becoming a printmaking technician. That was the dream. But as I kept practicing and honing my skills, something unexpected happened. I started realizing that creating visual art was actually pretty darn captivating.
It hit me that making a piece of artwork is like building your own little universe. There’s something magical about painting your ideas and bringing them to life, one brushstroke at a time. It’s a journey that really drew me in and hasn’t let go since.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

These days, I’m rocking the freelance life as an illustrator and designer. I’ve got my hands in all sorts of cool projects – editorial illustrations, book covers, packaging designs, you name it. I even dabble in branding work.
Looking back, I’ve had the chance to work on some pretty sweet gigs. I’ve designed packaging and illustrations for a bunch of poker and card games, whipped up some postcard art, tackled editorial pieces, and even dove into the world of vector illustration.
One thing I absolutely love about my job? Chatting it up with clients. I’m all ears when it comes to their ideas – seriously, some of the stuff they come up with just blows my mind. It’s like a constant stream of inspiration sometimes. But here’s where the real magic happens: taking those client needs and turning them into visual sketches. It’s like being a translator, but instead of languages, I’m translating ideas into art. My goal? To create designs that aren’t just functional, but straight-up beautiful. I’m all about making the world a little prettier, one project at a time.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Finding resilience? It’s all about nurturing it with care and keeping that passion burning inside. As a super introverted and sensitive soul, painting has been my safe haven since I was a kid. Whenever life threw curveballs my way or my emotions went on a rollercoaster ride, painting was my ticket to a brief escape from reality. It was like a soothing balm for my frazzled nerves.
So, for me, it’s not about being resilient to painting – it’s more like painting is my emotional escape hatch. I’m not alone in this; lots of artists create as a way to let off steam.
But here’s the thing: keeping that passion alive? It’s no walk in the park. It’s like when a kid’s learning to ride a bike – the urge to quit after every fall is real. Picture it like this: you’re camping, and you’ve got this tiny fire going. At first, you’re all protective, shielding those precious embers from the wind. Then, bit by bit, you start adding wood and fuel. For me, that fuel comes in the form of learning new skills and diving into books.
I’ve got a pretty heavy story that really drives this home. A few years back, when I was studying in the States, my mom got hit with a brutal diagnosis – glioblastoma. It knocked me for six, and honestly, I’m still reeling from it. But creativity’s been my lifeline. Time and time again, when I felt like I couldn’t breathe, painting gave me that mental space to catch my breath. It’s turned my relationship with painting into something almost sort of religious if that makes sense.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Alright, as an artist who’s not exactly a natural-born talent, here’s my two cents: When you’re just starting out, self-study is great, but don’t stop there. Diving into some intro courses on painting and design is absolutely crucial if you’re aiming to make it as an art and design pro. And, you don’t need to break the bank – community college courses or platforms like LinkedIn Learning are solid, budget-friendly options to get the ball rolling.
But here’s the kicker: Always aim high, even if you’re still figuring out which end of the paintbrush to hold. Soak up design concepts from the big guns on Behance and YouTube. Stay in the loop with the latest design trends. While you can level up your software skills pretty quickly, developing a good taste aesthetic is a whole different ball game.
Oh, and don’t ignore those communication skills. Back in the day, I thought tech know-how was the be-all and end-all. I’d say they’re neck and neck in importance. Learning to really listen and communicate effectively is a killer skill.
Last but not least, start carving out your personal style and brand ASAP. Finding your own track is a long-term project, sure, but trust me – the sooner you kick it off, the better.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lu-liu.org
• Instagram: @luliu0606
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lu-liu-b89316113

Image Credits

Lu Liu