Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cherry (mengyuan) Guo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Cherry (Mengyuan), thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’ve only been working as a storyboard artist and character animator for a short while, yet I’ve been very fortunate to participate in some short films and series with the most heartfelt stories the world has ever seen.

Being a storyboard artist (story artist) usually involves translating the textual script or creative ideas into visual images. During this process, you really get to know fellow artists and creatives. And it feels so rewarding when you share the same vision, connect over a single idea, and move forward holding each other. I’m grateful that many core creatives are setting up their cameras to focus on people who were once overlooked and underrepresented. These delicate, heartfelt, truthful, and insightful stories that connect people are meaningful projects to me.

Many of these projects are upcoming and soon to be shared with the world! I hope they bring as much joy and light to the world as they did my 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.

Hello! I’m Cherry, a story artist based in LA. As a profession, I draw storyboards for animated shows and make art in my free time. If you spot me outside, I’m probably sketching, hunting for good food and books, or taking my camera for a walk.

Before I took a road trip across the continent to the West Coast, I lived in Sarasota, Florida, for college, studying Computer Animation. I also lived in California for a few years after crossing the Pacific Ocean from China alone at 16 to pursue my dream of the arts in the United States.

I’ve always been on the go. Everything is temporary. Housing, possessions, friends, daily routines- Most don’t last. However, art and animation have always been what I belong to. I’ve always enjoyed animated movies and shows. (Yes, I’ve been in love with anime, manga, and Pixar movies since I was little.) It’s an anchor point in my floating life. It’s where I start and where I want to end up. It’s a toolbox I use to create. It’s a language I speak. My favorites include The Tatami Galaxy, My Neighbor the Yamadas, Cars, Finding Nemo, and Arakawa Under the Bridge… Working as a story artist, I’m growing my skillset and library to one day bring stories, worlds, characters, and experiences that are as whimsical, touching, and purely fun!

It’s a long way to go alone. But we are getting there!

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?

Non-creatives might struggle to understand how difficult it can be to find the right artistic style to fit within a studio. It’s not just about being skilled—it’s about adapting while staying true to yourself. (I guess this is what life is about, right?) I’ve often felt caught between what I love to create and what’s expected in the industry, making it challenging to find where I truly belong.

I’ve learned that timing plays a huge role in this journey. There have been moments when opportunities came, but either I wasn’t ready, or things didn’t align. Instead of dwelling on what I could have done, I focus on improving my skills, staying adaptable, and being prepared for when the next train arrives.

My parents are non-creatives. And yes, they talked to me about trying AI-generated art… After quite a few conversations where I explained what copyright and intellectual property are, they finally started to understand the value in a human’s not only the idea but the time and effort in execution.

I appreciate you bringing up this question. The more conversations like these happen, the fewer communication barriers there will be, and the more delightful collaborations will result.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the connection. I’d always like my art to be fun and easy to understand so that I can communicate with the viewer or audience and share the experience. Stories are meant to be shared!

Today, there are so many things to set us apart. We are capable of starting a fight anytime, anywhere, for anything, and against anyone. But I believe that we also have so much in common. We’ll find those things through sharing—movies, music, literature, food, knowledge… Good or bad, we build connections through these shared experiences. The stronger we hold each other, the further we go.

So, I want to make animation, tell stories, depict worlds, and introduce characters that are “fun and easy to understand” for everyone. All of this is to evoke feelings universal beyond age, race, gender, and politics. I want to remind us that we all love, hate, laugh, and fear. I want to show what I hope the world will be like. More than anything, I want to bring more happiness to this world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mcherryguo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcherryguo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherry-guo-6a24b3b7/

Image Credits

Cherry (Mengyuan) Guo