Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jia Liu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jia, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My debut author-illustrated picture book WHO NEEDS FRIENDS just came out on August 13th. WHO NEED FRIENDS is a story of a little owl, Merlin, who is ready to make his first friend, but doesn’t know how. Luckily, Merlin meets someone who is good at making friends. It is published by Nancy Paulsen Books at Penguin, and it is a perfect book for young kids who start to learn to make friends.

The story’s origins date back to 2015 when I was still in grad school, and it was part of my thesis project. Flash forward 8 years, and WHO NEEDS FRIENDS finally made its debut in the hands of the readers. Throughout this journey, I worked with my agents Claire and Lori on many revisions and got a flurry of rejection letters from publishers. I perpetually questioned whether this story was worthy of publication, until the splendid day when editor Nancy Paulsen gave it a chance.

The plague of self-doubt is something a lot of artists grapple with, but in those moments, I feel incredibly fortunate that there was someone out there who saw potential in my work and cheered me on to keep the creative fire burning.

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.

Since college, I had my sights set on becoming a children’s book illustrator, and I put together a portfolio designed to open the door to the children’s illustration realm. The first version of WHO NEEDS FRIENDS? acted as the springboard that led me to partner up with my agent, Painted Words, who not only represented me but also handed me my very first US book illustration project. It was the start of a beautiful relationship as I’ve since illustrated eight books for the same publisher. I thrive on nurturing enduring partnerships with my clients and consistently delivering top-notch artwork.

While my heart belongs to illustrating for kids, I’m a curious creature when it comes to all things illustration. Collaborating with various professionals has inspired me to be more open-minded and daring in my artistic endeavors. Whether it’s digital or traditional, still or animated, I dabble in it all. Lately, I even ventured into the world of 3D public art installations, unveiling new dimensions for my work.

I have an undeniable penchant for infusing humor into my creations, lending them my interpretation and perspective, in the name of adding a touch of playfulness to the content I work on. My artworks are vibrant and whimsical, aimed at passing on that warm, positive energy to my readers and audience. My inspiration is none other than everyday life itself. Simply observing and experiencing the world around me fuels my motivation to craft art that resonates with the heart.

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

The primary attraction of being an artist is having the freedom to craft work that resonates with my personal preferences and engage in activities I value. When others appreciate and connect with my creations, it’s even more rewarding. The inherent drive for creativity encourages me to remain open to new experiences, continuously seeking to expand my knowledge and skills.

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

As a college art professor, I know many students who are going to enter the art-making market with fear of uncertainty. Because the path of an artist is undeniably challenging, often characterized by its inherent instability. Yet, this unpredictability makes our world more diverse and vibrant. If no one dares to take the artistic path due to its hardships, our society risks becoming boring and uninspiring.

I strongly advocate for societal support that provides artists with greater financial support through meaningful collaborations, ultimately fostering a safe environment for artistic expression. This need is even more pressing today as AI-generated art increasingly taking away artist’s opportunities, making it even tougher for artists to sustain their careers.

While it’s essential to implement copyright laws to regulate AI-generated art, it is my hope that society, decision-makers, and the general public can develop a profound appreciation and respect for human-created artworks. These invaluable expressions of human creativity deserve recognition and protection in an era where technology blurs the lines between human and machine-generated art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jia-liu.com
• Instagram: @jia_liu_illustration
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jia-liu-a97681105/

Image Credits
Rabbit sculptures: Circle Art