We recently connected with Chenghao Yu and have shared our conversation below.

Chenghao, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

As an artist and illustrator, I am passionate about expressing my inner longing for nature and beauty. Growing up in a small city far from the hustle and bustle of the world, nature taught me how to observe the world with meticulousness, inspiring me to pick up my brush and capture all its beauty. Over time, as I gained life experiences and moved to a more bustling metropolis, I witnessed the busy lives of people and the intricate details like latte art in coffee cups. This led me to blend the beauty of nature with the intricacies of everyday life, using exquisite imagery to evoke people’s appreciation for the beauty of life.

I feel immense joy when I create the beauty of this world with my pen. Knowing that the unique world I depict can bring surprise to viewers motivates me to discover the beauty in life and transform it into artistic pieces. Of course, as an artist, I often pondered what it would be like to have a regular job. This wasn’t just imagination; before pursuing my Master’s in Illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art, I worked in marketing and advertising, an experience that reinforced my determination to further my education and focus on creating my best work.

I understand that passion for something is the driving force behind sustained motivation and the importance of balancing creativity with market demands. I aim to find an intrinsic balance between the two to ensure I maintain a high level of creative output. This journey is not only about my personal growth and professional development but also about exploring and presenting the intersection of art and life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As an artist hailing from China, my journey into the world of illustration was preceded by a bachelor’s degree in Media Creativity, where my academic focus centered on design and promotion. I believe this foundation has been advantageous for my studies in illustration. After gaining experience in the workforce, I decided to delve deeper into the field of painting, an area I’ve been passionate about since childhood and where I excel. This decision not only satisfies my long-standing love for art but also allows me to shine in a domain I’m proficient in.

I offer a diverse range of services to clients, including book illustrations, magazine covers, brand illustrations, and artistic creations. My work is characterized by delicate lines and rich colors, tailored to suit specific applications for clients. Utilizing digital tools for illustration enables me to be more flexible in accommodating client feedback and adjustments. Particularly, I specialize in creating illustrations that capture humanistic themes and the beauty of nature, catering to the demands of various projects.

During my graduate studies in Baltimore, Maryland, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the city’s charm, especially its historic port city ambiance. I created a poster for Baltimore’s renowned Farmer’s Market on the very day I first visited, eager to showcase the market’s beauty through my artwork and encourage others to experience it firsthand. Additionally, I collaborated with a local coffee shop, Bird in Hand, on a visual enhancement project, crafting three monochromatic illustrations using my signature line art style. These illustrations have been integrated into news promotions and will soon be featured in the café’s guidebooks. For me, creating these pieces is not just about expressing my admiration for beauty; it’s about using my professional skills to transform everyday scenes into resonant artworks, allowing people to find emotional expression and inner tranquility through art.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

As a young creator who has just graduated from graduate school, I believe my creative direction is more driven from within rather than by external factors, such as aiming for a particular job. When creating lifestyle illustrations, I see it as a form of artistic therapy. I’m someone who often has a scattered mind, but creating these beautiful pieces feels like finding a warm sanctuary in my life. The process of creation allows me to observe the world, reflect on myself, and find inner contentment. Gradually, I aim to extend this sense of beauty to others, making it the guiding principle and goal of my creative journey.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, as an artist and creative, the most valuable and rewarding aspect is being able to create works that express my inner emotions using the viewers’ thoughts and language. Previously, I combined illustration with interactive installations, utilizing the principle of light scattering through clouds to artistically recreate the beauty of a sunset, while also using the narrative capability of illustrations to express my views on nature’s insights and the importance of mental health. I see creation as a form of artistic therapy, but I excel at using moments of beauty from nature and human society as the foundation for my work, creating pieces that resonate with people and establish a connection between the creator and the audience. Many visitors revealed their inner feelings to me after viewing the exhibition and described how they had gradually learned to deconstruct their squeezed emotions and face their own emotional states after seeing the natural phenomenon of light scattering. For me, establishing this connection and sharing emotional experiences with the audience is where the true value of being an artist lies, and I find this more meaningful than simply expressing my thoughts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chenghaoillustration.com
• Instagram: @chenghaoart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenghaoyuillustration
• Other: Behance: https://www.behance.net/Chenghaoillustration

Image Credits
All pictures are created by Chenghao Yu (@chenghaoart)