We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Haomin (Jazzz) Shi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Haomin (Jazzz) thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

As a freelancer, there is no concept of workdays and weekends. Balancing the roles of an artist, graphic designer, and art educator can be challenging, but it also allows for a diverse and dynamic creative life. However, the absence of a structured schedule and guaranteed income can create uncertainties, leading to moments of stress and sleepless nights especially in a fast-pace city like Shanghai.

To create a balance between my work demands and a healthy life, I immerse myself in nature when I can. Personally, vacations are not as relaxing, since I like to take on adventurous and challenging paths, such as climbing high altitudes and running through deserted areas. I take on these hikes once a month and recently I hiked through the vast deserts, snowy peaks of the Xinjiang Province in Southern China. I am planning to go on more adventurous hikes in February and March in Sichuan Province where I will explore hollow caves and frosty forest grounds.

People in the creative field around me look at me as an odd ball. Usually, the stereotypical kind of visual artists are more quiet and less sporty while I am keen on hardcore outdoor activities like running trail races in the desert. Exploring areas with high altitudes and deserts not only provides a unique artistic perspective but also offers a profound connection with nature in its most raw and challenging form. The solitude of these less populated areas can create a space for a break from the stresses of daily life. The physical challenges involved, in conquering high mountains, bring about a fascinating interplay between the endurance of the body and the vast wilderness. It creates a refreshing distraction from the complexities of daily work life.

One might also build strong bonds during trips like these. I use to go on hikes alone, but I met my partner during one trail race where we both got lost in the tea fields. We conqured that hike together and found the correct path to our final destination. You never know what surprises each adventure would bring.

Although taking vacations takes away time from work and breaks the consistensy of one’s work flow, it is necessary to take a leave occasionally from work. Taking a break allows me to later return to my work fully charged in a better state of mind. Luckily, my work dynamic allows me to work online so I bring my laptop with me in case of work emergencies.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Jazzz, an Alumni from the School of Visual Arts in New York in 2020 with a degree in illustration. My illustrations have been selected for the New York Society of Illustrators, Kathy Carracio Print Collection, and museums such as Liu Haisu Art Museum. Now based in Shanghai, I work as a freelance illustrator, graphic designer and an art educator specializing in Printmaking.

I enjoy expressing delicate emotions through my art, using vibrant colors to depict a seemingly gorgeous dark fairy tale world. As an illustrator, I work with various clients such as Cafes, fashion brands and City Museums. My role is to help these institutes and brands construct their visual identities by making visually compelling llustrations and designs that would improve their business overall.

A few of my favorite projects I worked on so far all revolve on collaborating with museums. Traditional culture and ancient history can be abstract or dull for many people, but with illustration, I can help viewers visualize cultural relics in a more vivid way with storytelling and colorful graphics. With art, I was able to create a bridge, connecting the gap between the past and the present, making traditional culture more accessible for the younger generation. This has been a meaningful and rewarding purpose for me to continue on creating art.

In addition to digital paintings, I enjoy more traditional mediums such as screen printing,RISOgraphs and etching. Therefore I teach printmaking in schools and museums to bring this craft to a wider audience.

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

Misunderstandings

There are aspects of the creative journey that might be challenging for non-creatives to fully grasp. Here are a few:

• Emotional Investment: For creatives, our work is often an extension of ourselves. Each piece is a concrete creation representing our emotions, thoughts, and experiences. In addition, creating art can be a solitary endeavor. Many artists spend long hours alone, immersed in their work. Non-creatives might not understand how we put extensive care and emotions into crafting each work.

• Unpredictable Process: The creative process can be unpredictable and nonlinear. It doesn’t always follow a clear path, and inspiration can strike at unexpected moments. Our schedules as creatives can be unpredictable since we do not have a regular fifive day work schedule. Non-creatives might not fully understand the need for flflexibility and openness in the creative journey.

• Subjectivity of Art: Art is inherently subjective. What one person fifinds beautiful or meaningful, another might not. This subjectivity can be challenging for noncreatives to understand, especially if they are used to more concrete and objective measures of success. Since art is so subjective, art creators value personal achievements not only on the fifinancial gain, but also the mental satisfaction on completing a challenging project. Real success in art is a mix of feeling fulfifilled inside while also appreciating any external recognition. It’s fifinding a good balance
between enjoying the creative journey and acknowledging the impact your art has
on both you and those who experience it..

• Balance of Passion and Practicality: I believe this is true for most freelancers out there. Pursuing a creative career often involves fifinding a delicate balance between passion and practicality. It’s not just about creating art; it’s about navigating the business side, marketing oneself, and making a living. One of the biggest false impressions is that non-creatives would think that artists are having fun all the time doing what they like, and not having to deal with stress from work..

• Constant Growth and Evolution: The creative journey is a continuous process of growth and evolution. Artists are always learning, experimenting, and pushing their boundaries. Today’s fast-paced technological development has made the intersection of art and technology become increasingly important. Skills in coding, media art, and motion graphics can open up new avenues for creative expression. being versatile in various aspects of digital art can indeed enhance and broaden one’s artistic journey. Non-creatives might not realize the constant need for self-improvement and adaptation that artists experience throughout their careers. Frankly, most artists create art till the last moments of their life.

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

Few people get to do what they truly enjoy as an occupation.I feel lucky to be able to use my creative skill to earn a living.People see me “working” all the time on my iPad or sketchbook,but to me, I do not consider myself working non-stop. Creating art is a form of meditation for me even when it is artwork commissioned by a client.

As an artist, one of the most rewarding aspects is the ability to bring my imagination to life. Through visual art, I can express my unique perspective, emotions, and ideas.The ability to craft and mold entire worlds through illustrations is a unique privilege. Each stroke of the pen becomes a building block in constructing narratives, characters, and landscapes that invite viewers into a realm of wonder and imagination.

A few of my favorite projects I worked on so far all revolve on collaborating with museums. Traditional culture and ancient history can be abstract or dull for many people, but with illustration, I can help viewers visualize cultural relics in a more vivid way with storytelling and colorful graphics. With art, I was able to create a bridge, connecting the gap between the
past and the present, making traditional culture more accessible for the younger generation. This has been a meaningful and rewarding purpose for me to continue on creating art. The creative process itself can also be incredibly fulfilling. Expressing myself through drawing is a process of self-discovery and introspection, offering a therapeutic outlet for my
emotions.When I encounter unpleasant experience and adversities in life, I would transform them into poetic illustrations.When others connect with and find inspiration in the art I create, it adds another layer of meaning to what I do. I do not expect everyone to understand what I do, but it is incredibly satisfying to see others relate to my work in their personal way. Each individual would have a unique point of view, and this adds depth and complexity to the shared experience between the artist and the audience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jazzz_shm
• Other: A web page with my art https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5fc79a36000000000100121c email: [email protected]