We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Haozhe Li a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Haozhe, 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?

I find happiness in being an artist or creative individual. The ability to express myself through various forms of art brings me a profound sense of joy and fulfillment. The moments when I find inspiration in the simplest of things in my daily life and transform them into tangible creations are truly magical.

However, it is not uncommon for artists to experience periods of insecurity, especially in the initial stages of their career. The uncertainty of income and the constant need to prove oneself can be daunting. In such moments, the thought of having a regular job that offers stability and security may cross my mind.

But, despite the challenges, I am currently embracing my life as an artist. The freedom to explore my creativity, push boundaries, and bring something unique into the world outweighs the need for stability at this point in my journey. The ability to pursue my passion and experience personal growth through my artistic pursuits is deeply gratifying.

While a stable job may provide security, the fulfillment and happiness derived from being an artist are unparalleled. Each finished piece or project fills me with a sense of accomplishment that cannot be replicated by a conventional job. As an artist, I have the opportunity to impact and inspire others through my work, and that, to me, is profoundly rewarding.

Haozhe, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

From a young age, I developed a passion for drawing, thanks to my mother’s guidance and encouragement. Fast forward to the present, and I am now an illustrator specializing in various areas such as editorial illustration, advertising illustration, and packaging illustration. My primary focus is on creating captivating visuals that tell a story and evoke emotions.

I employ a combination of traditional painting tools and digital techniques such as Photoshop. This fusion enables me to capture the essence of hazy and dreamy color palettes, enhancing the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of my work.

One aspect that sets me apart from others in the industry is my unique personal style. Every stroke of my brush or digital manipulation reflects my distinct artistic voice, allowing my illustrations to leave a lasting impression on viewers. I believe that art should not only be visually appealing but also make a meaningful impact.

I take pride in my ability to solve problems for my clients through my illustrations. Whether it’s conveying complex ideas in editorial pieces, capturing attention in advertising campaigns, or adding visual appeal to package designs, my goal is to create visually engaging and communicative artworks that fulfill the client’s needs.

In conclusion, my journey as an illustrator began with a childhood passion for drawing and has evolved into a fulfilling career. Through a combination of traditional and digital techniques, I create illustrations that possess a distinct and memorable style. I aim to solve clients’ problems through visually appealing and impactful artworks. I invite potential clients, followers, and fans to join me on this artistic journey and experience the unique beauty and storytelling of my illustrations.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media can be a challenging yet rewarding journey. Here’s the story of how I built my own audience, along with some advice for those starting their social media presence:

One of the primary factors in building a social media audience is having a clear self-orientation. For an illustrator like me, it was crucial to develop a personal painting style that sets me apart from others. This uniqueness attracts people who appreciate and resonate with my style, helping to build a dedicated audience.

Consistency is key when it comes to building a social media presence. I made it a point to regularly and consistently update my social media accounts with new illustrations, behind-the-scenes content, and insights into my creative process. By consistently providing engaging content, I was able to attract and retain followers who were interested in my work.

For those just starting to build the social media presence, collaborating with other artists, influencers, or brands in the industry can also help expand your reach on social media. Cross-promotion or joint projects can expose your work to new audiences and attract followers who may not have discovered you otherwise.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

From an illustrator’s point of view, my view on NFT is relatively positive. NFTs have opened up new opportunities for illustrators to directly sell their digital artwork and receive royalties for any future resales. It allows artists to retain ownership and control over their work, which was previously challenging in the digital realm. And NFTs offer a way for artists to have their work recognized and valued in the digital world. It provides a framework for assigning uniqueness and provenance to digital creations, which has traditionally been a challenge in the digital art market.

Contact Info:

• Website: haozheli.art
• Instagram: empty_liii