We recently connected with Zhen Lin and have shared our conversation below.

Zhen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Hello, my name is Zhen Lin. As a freelance illustrator, I do feel fortunate. I love working with traditional media, especially watercolor. Much of my work explores themes of religion and mythology. What I value most about this path is the freedom: I get to choose what I want to create, when to start, and how to bring it into the world. I have full control over my own rhythm.

But with that freedom also comes uncertainty, especially when it comes to income. I’ve definitely wondered what life would be like if I had a more “normal” job—something stable and predictable.

I remember one morning in March very clearly. I had just pulled an all-nighter to finish revisions on a book cover illustration. The budget wasn’t great to begin with, and the client kept asking for changes. As I was layering the paint, a thought crossed my mind: “If I worked at a company, wouldn’t a project manager be handling all of this back-and-forth? Wouldn’t I just focus on drawing? And I’d have a steady paycheck too—that sounds kind of comforting.”

That morning, I was tempted by the idea. But soon I realized that kind of stability would come at a cost. I might have to give up telling my own stories, compromise on style, and work within the expectations of a team. What I treasure most—the quiet, uninterrupted time to fully immerse myself in my work—would be harder to come by.

In the end, I didn’t apply for any jobs. I thought to myself: even if life feels uncertain at times, I would still rather be a creator than just an executor. This freedom is the soil where all my visions and imagination take root.

Zhen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a freelance illustrator currently based in New York City. I graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a degree in Illustration and work primarily with traditional media, especially watercolor and gouache.

My work often carries a sense of fantasy and surrealism. I love telling stories through symbolic and emotionally driven imagery. I’m deeply inspired by the style of the Golden Age of American Illustration—artists like Edmund Dulac and Kay Nielsen have greatly influenced how I approach composition and color.

One thing I’m most proud of is that I still work entirely with traditional techniques. In a time when digital tools are dominant, I believe there’s something truly irreplaceable about the way pigment naturally spreads on paper. That element of unpredictability, the warmth and texture—it’s exactly what I want to preserve in my work.

I offer creative services including book cover illustration, editorial artwork, and custom pieces for individuals or brands. I specialize in turning complex emotions or symbolic themes into poetic and imaginative visuals, helping clients tell their stories in a unique and meaningful way.

If there’s one thing I hope potential clients, viewers, or followers can take away, it’s that my art comes from a place of sincerity and craftsmanship. I’m not just creating images—I’m building visual worlds with soul. Whether you’re an art lover, a storyteller, or a brand looking for something distinctive, I hope my work speaks to you.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think one of the challenges non-creatives face when trying to understand the experience of creative professionals is the difference in perspective. As artists, we tend to focus on certain technical or emotional aspects of our work—like composition, aesthetics, level of detail, or the story and feeling we want to express through the image. These are things we’re trained to notice and care deeply about.

But for non-creatives, the criteria can be very different. They might care more about whether the work fits the theme, whether it grabs attention quickly, if it has a strong hook, or if it’s likely to generate conversation and engagement. On a deeper level, they may be more focused on metrics—like views, clicks, or audience retention.

To me, it’s really about two different ways of thinking: one that prioritizes expression and aesthetics, and another that focuses on impact and results. Neither is wrong—they just reflect different roles and expectations. As creatives, we’re always learning how to balance personal expression with public response. That ongoing negotiation is one of the most challenging, but also most meaningful, parts of working in a creative field.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

For me, creating art is not just about beauty itself. It’s about using images to convey emotions, beliefs, or stories. I’ve always been fascinated by religion, mythology, and the human spirit. Through my work, I want to touch on things that are hard to express with words—like faith, loneliness, fear, love, or the subtle and complex connections we have with the world.

My mission comes from a commitment to the role of the image as a storyteller. I believe images can carry ideas, evoke empathy, and serve as a quiet but powerful form of expression. I hope my work can act as a mirror for others’ inner worlds and, even if only for a moment, offer them reflection, resonance, or emotional response.

So, in a way, the driving force behind my art is a desire to create deeper emotional connections between people through visual language.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zhenlinart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhenlin_art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhen-lin-82a258284/