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

Cassandra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was little, but growing up in a small town in Maine, that path didn’t really seem like an option. It wasn’t until after I finished my B.S. degree in Biology that I moved to New York City to pursue art seriously. Before starting the MFA in Illustration program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I spent some time developing my foundational skills in drawing and painting through self-teaching and continuing education classes. At the time, I was so focused on drawing and painting “correctly”, and making work I thought people would like, that I overlooked the importance of understanding my concepts. I think part of that initial fixation came from my scientific background and its more structured method of thinking. When I made the transition into art, one of the biggest shifts for me was learning to think more intuitively, and trusting that to inspire and inform my work.

Now, I try to give myself more room to learn and experience new things, so that I have more to draw from, while also making the habit of doing deeper research and fully understanding my topics. So I’d say the most essential skills in my practice has been building daily habits and approaching my work with both intuition and research.

Cassandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an illustrator based in New York City, originally from Maine. My creative journey began fairly recent, after moving to the city. Since then, I’ve illustrated and designed for fashion retailers, restaurants, and in home goods packaging. Most recently, I made a children’s book, “Lobster Kingdom”, as part of my visual thesis for the MFA Illustration program at FIT. The book is now on display at the FIT Gallery, on 7th Ave & 27th St.

Lately, I’ve been spending my free time reading about early Chinese mythological creatures. I’m particularly drawn to the way they blend natural observation with imagination to explain things before they had names. In a similar way, my work often takes place in an imagined landscape to explore themes like identity and memory–subjects that can be hard to put into words. A project I’ve been building on is a short story I created called “Carousel”, which uses a carousel as a metaphor to explain the human tendency to revisit and hold onto the past.

Changing paths from biology to illustration has been an evolving journey with some unexpected turns, but I’m thankful to have given myself the chance to pursue it. I’m excited to take on new projects and see where this path leads next, wherever that may be.

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

Something I’ve been figuring out myself, and continuing to refine how to explain to those around me, is the entrepreneurship that goes into a creative career like illustration. Unlike traditional jobs that often come with a linear career path, a creative career means building your own, which can involve finding clients, pitching ideas, managing contracts, and promoting your work.

You’re often juggling multiple things at once and that looks different for everyone. It can be balancing freelance with part-time work, teaching, or other pursuits. Theres a lot of self-direction involved, and it also means navigating uncertainty and keeping the momentum going. I think I inherited a lot of that entrepreneurial spirit from my dad, who’s always hustled through different ventures since immigrating to America, from running a restaurant to lobster wholesale, and now, something i just found out, researching how to use AI to support other businesses.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to explore different topics and connect with others through my stories is rewarding. I’m always staying curious, whether through research or learning from peers and mentors, and I feel fulfilled when my work resonates with others. I’m also grateful for my supportive MFA cohort, who’ve been a big part of my growth as both an artist and a person. As I continue to grow in this field, I’m excited to keep learning, evolving, and building new connections along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.CassandraLi.com
• Instagram: @cassandrali_