We were lucky to catch up with Jacquelyn Lin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jacquelyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned in school and why that lesson is important to you?

“Don’t stay in your comfort zone.”
While pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art Illustration at ArtCenter, I’ve deliberately enrolled in a wide range of classes beyond my major’s requirements to explore my interests and broaden my knowledge. These classes include traditional printmaking, motion design, children’s book illustration, 3D Maya, graphic design, and more. Often, I’m the only Illustration major in these courses, navigating unfamiliar territory while collaborating with students from diverse disciplines. Although not every class directly contributes to my portfolio, they have significantly enhanced my communication and interpersonal skills, fostering a higher level of maturity.

Jacquelyn, 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?

I am an illustrator from Taiwan. However my story begins at the age of 16 on the day I first moved to the United States.
In order to unleash my creativity and expand my world vision my parents decided to send me-their only daughter to study abroad in America.
As my journey goes on, art becomes my way to reminisce about my cultures and communities. Creating Art gives me confidence and courage to connect with people around me.

I like using bold vibrant colors, variations of lines and shapes to create dynamic compositions.
My work often tells inspiring stories and celebrates cultural diversity. Through my art, I aim to share my life experiences, my cultural heritage, and my deep appreciation for nature with others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After moving to the U.S. at 16, I faced numerous challenges, from cultural differences and language barriers to self-doubt and insecurity. However, maintaining an optimistic mindset has been crucial in building my resilience. Staying curious and open to new experiences has gradually shaped me into a braver person.
I vividly remember an experience during my senior year of high school when I attended a portfolio review event for some of the top art and design schools. After waiting nearly five hours, the staff cut the line right in front of me and asked me to leave. Though disappointed, I took a moment to collect myself and then approached the administrator to ask if there were any other opportunities to have my work reviewed. A week later, I was invited to another portfolio review session at a private art academy, where I received valuable feedback.
This experience taught me the importance of prioritizing the task at hand over emotions and not being afraid to seek out or create opportunities.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

What I cherish most about being an artist is the journey of self-discovery that occurs during the creative process. Art gives me the space to connect with my innermost thoughts, emotions, and experiences—those essential aspects of myself that are often overlooked. Through creation, I merge my mind and hands, transforming them into a unified force that brings forth art reflecting my true essence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jklinart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jklin_art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelyn-lin-b5256622b/

Image Credits

N/A