We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pingnan Lu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Pingnan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
In high school, I first realized my drive for a creative profession. We had a career planning class, and I wrote down that I wanted to be a comic artist. Our school, while academically respected locally, didn’t have a strong foundation in the arts. The career planning teacher expressed her reservations about my chosen path, pointing out the challenges of diving into art without any foundational knowledge and the notion that comic artists mostly served other people’s scripts. At that time, I saw these comments as discouraging, but in hindsight, I can understand her perspective. My personal journey towards this passion wasn’t straightforward. I had countless arguments with my mother due to my love for graphic novels and sketching, which often came at the expense of my academic work. But, when I expressed my desire to study art and make personal creations, she surprisingly saw it as a potential path for me, given my dedication to the craft. It may seem like my journey was haphazard, but it’s driven by a fervent passion. And despite the obstacles and detours, I have stayed true to my artistic journey.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Pingnan Lu, an artist whose canvas is the myriad shades of color, and whose passion lies at the intersection of illustration, design, and the enchanting world of narratives. My journey began with a deep-seated love for stories; as a child, I would lose myself in the tales spun by others, letting my imagination run wild. As I matured, I channeled this penchant for storytelling into crafting my own worlds, particularly those reminiscent of dark fairy tales. The tactile nature of paper, the dance of vibrant hues, and the intriguing possibilities of printing techniques like Letterpress and Risograph have always been close to my heart. Every piece I create is a labor of love, a symphony of colors harmonized to perfection. My background in graphic design extends the scope of my work, often bringing clients to my door seeking unique packaging designs or specialized printing projects. My expertise in handling high-saturation colors has proven invaluable, especially for projects aimed at captivating the younger demographic.
While I take pride in transforming my artwork into limited-edition creative products through collaborations with various studios and factories, my ultimate aspiration remains rooted in my high school dream: to be a comic artist. The world of comics beckons, and I am keen to delve deeper into the publishing sector. If there’s one thing I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know, it’s that every piece I create is a reflection of a dream, a story, and an emotion waiting to be shared.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is undoubtedly the passion for the arts. This fervor fuels my drive to seek fresh creative ideas and devise ways to convey them authentically. While it’s crucial to be aware of current trends and events, an artist should never merely cater to them. For art to resonate, it must stem from an individual’s unique perspective and deep understanding of the subject matter. To merely follow trends is to be someone working in the realm of art, but not truly an artist. The next challenge, of course, is the realization of these ideas. How one translates a concept into tangible art is pivotal. If the medium and method don’t align with the artist’s vision, the essence is lost. A person adept at theorizing without the ability to execute their vision may be better suited to philosophy, while someone with exceptional skills but lacking the spark of original thought is more a craftsman than an artist.
My passion for art constantly pushes me towards innovation, self-improvement, and refinement. It urges me to continually feed my mind and hone my techniques. The ultimate goal is always to produce artwork where creativity and execution perfectly harmonize.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Given the commercial nature of illustration, many often emphasize the importance of diversifying one’s work to appeal to a broader client base. However, I believe in the value of seeking those who genuinely resonate with my style and vision, rather than constantly shifting to fit varied tastes. Pursuing breadth without depth risks making an artist easily replaceable. Every artist draws from their inner world, and the distinct content and style of our work are reflective of our internal narratives and emotions. While it’s essential to remain receptive to feedback and expand our horizons, we must also recognize the difference between constructive critique and opinions that don’t align with our vision. When faced with feedback that contradicts my core beliefs, my instinct isn’t to question my art but to understand that the individual might not be my intended audience.
For non-creatives, it might be challenging to grasp that an artist’s journey isn’t merely about widespread recognition, but also about finding genuine connection and resonance with a discerning audience. It’s not about pleasing everyone but about forging authentic relationships with those who truly appreciate our craft.
Contact Info:
- Website: pingnan-lu.com
- Instagram: @pingnanlu
- Other: Email: lupingnan8@gmail.com
Image Credits
The letterpress postcards photo credit: @letterpresscn