We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Isabella Kung. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Isabella below.

Isabella, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

It was probably around my Sophomore or Junior year in High School. Like most artists, I have loved drawing since I could pick up a pencil and dreamed about becoming an artist. Unfortunately, that dream didn’t last long due to my strict parents and a society where an artist’s career didn’t have many prospects at the time. (I was born and raised in Hong Kong). It wasn’t until I became an exchange student and moved to the United States, my host families at the time recognized my passions and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. It took me a couple of years to convince my parents to support me through art school, but luckily they were pursued. I graduated with a BFA in Traditional Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2010. I’m pleased to say I have been working professionally as an illustrator and author, as well as an instructor ever since!

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

My name is Isabella Kung, I am the author and illustrator of NO FUZZBALL! (Scholastic, 2020), about a fuzzy feline Queen that was described as an “expressive, endearing little chunk of well-meaning evil” by Kirkus Reviews. The sequel NO SNOWBALL! (Scholastic, 2022) introduces an adorable interloper to the Queendom! Continuing my feline obsession, I have also illustrated over 120 cats for the board books 123 CATS and ABC CATS (Candlewick, 2021).

While I have always wanted to work in Children’s Books, I never considered being an author until much later in my career. After graduating from college I dabbled in many illustrative works, from book covers to album covers; gallery shows; educational programs; merchandising to craft fairs; and even a set of emoji stickers. My illustrations have received accolades from institutions such as the Society of Illustrators, Spectrum Fantasy Art, 3×3, Creative Quarterly, and SCBWI.

Over the years, my love for storytelling grew and I’m glad I was eventually brave enough to write my own stories. The road to publishing my debut authored/illustrated book was filled with twists and turns, but it was all worth it! Nothing gives me more pride and joy than the love and enthusiasm I receive from my readers, especially kids. I hope to continue creating my own children’s books for the rest of my life, as well as illustrating other’s children’s book stories too. I am is represented by Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary.

Outside the world of publishing, I teach illustration and watercolor classes at Storyteller Academy and Etchr Lab. I also offer mentorship sessions with Storyteller Academy.

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

I would say having the privilege to have a career where I can create and express myself in ways that I am passionate about – to be able to tell stories with my art and words. For me, picture books are the most fulfilling format of storytelling, and I love a good story. I can create a whole world, share ideas, stir imaginations, and evoke deep emotions, how amazing is that! The structure of a picture book and the balance between the words and illustrations are exactly the kind of puzzle I can’t stop thinking about and I feel exhilarated when I finally solved it.

Furthermore, I love the audience I’m creating for too. Children are amazing and it is an absolute honor to delight and entertain them, to teach and show them our world, to empathize and tell them they are not alone… By keeping them in my mind as I work or reading to them during author visits, I feel ever the more connected to my inner child too. I can’t think of anything more rewarding than receiving love and enthusiasm from little readers everywhere.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I can think of many but most of all it’s to give creatives the ability to be able to earn a livable wage and support themselves.

Affordable healthcare is the first that comes to mind. I am extremely lucky that I can be on my partner’s health care plan. A lot of my freelance illustrator and author friends aren’t so fortunate and have to pay an enormous amount each month just to be insured, and they tend to avoid going to a doctor because they can’t afford it too.

Next is increasing the rates. It is well known within the industry that most illustration rates in editorial and publishing have not risen in the last 30 years despite inflation and increased living costs. It’s no wonder why most creatives struggle to make ends meet and generally need to have additional work other than their creative work to support themselves.

Finally, more protective laws for artists’ rights. I won’t go into detail here or else it will become a whole essay. Artists should be protected against companies using their artwork without permission to train AI programs. While there is no denying AI will be part of our future and will affect the illustration industry in some way, but stealing from artists who have taken their entire lives to develop their skills and unique style will end our careers. Artists’ work should be protected by copyright laws and should be acknowledged, compensated, and have a say in how their work can be used.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.isabellakung.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/isabellakungill/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isabella.kung.18/
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/isaberryk
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/isabellakung
• Other: Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/IsabellaKung Newsletter: https://isabellakung.substack.com/

Image Credits
Photographer: Lorenz Angelo Illustration: Isabella Kung