We recently connected with JIngyi Han and have shared our conversation below.

JIngyi, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I was very young, I developed a fascination with drawing, often picking up a paintbrush and scribbling pictures on the walls. Recognizing my interest, my mother enrolled me in hobby classes to learn drawing more systematically.

The pivotal moment when I knew I wanted to pursue a professional art career came during my senior year of high school. I spent countless hours in the studio, diligently preparing my portfolio. Despite my passion, I constantly doubted whether I could truly make a career out of art. This uncertainty lingered until November, when I received an acceptance letter from the MICA. That moment was incredibly joyful and validating. I felt that all my years of preparation and hard work had been recognized.

From then on, I was able to communicate with more alumni and teachers about my art, which helped me slowly develop my own artistic style. This experience not only solidified my desire to pursue a creative path but also marked the beginning of my journey as a professional artist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Art and recently earned my MFA from California College of the Arts.

My odyssey began with a profound sense of vulnerability, stemming from a past markedby trials and heartbreak—separation from cherished friends and the loss of belovedfamily members, events beyond my control that left indelible imprints on me. Theseexperiences have led me to retreat into myself, to cocoon my emotions and fears, andto avoid the unfamiliar. It is within this context that I embark on a deeply introspectiveand therapeutic artistic practice. The act of creating a small, safe world through needle felting serves as a visual representation of my inner sanctuary—a sanctuary designed to protect and nurture the fragile, “fluffy insides” of my being.

While my work initially serves as a refuge from the outside world, it also acts as ameans of subtle outreach. I resonate deeply with the sentiment of treasuring momentsof solitude, highlighting my preference for introspection. However, my artwork itself2serves as a bridge to connect with others who may share similar experiences ofvulnerability and the desire for a safe space. By sharing my creations, I indirectly invite viewers to engage in my journey of self-discovery and healing.

If my audience can resonate with my work and feel a connection, even if it’s just a small sense of healing, that is something I am truly proud of.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to share my emotions and translate them into my artwork. I often use humor to address feelings that might be a bit negative or challenging. My goal is to avoid conveying anything harsh or violent in my work. Instead, I aim to create pieces that invite connection and reflection in a gentle, uplifting way.

Knowing that my art can bring a sense of healing or joy to others is incredibly fulfilling. When someone resonates with my art, feels inspired, or finds a sense of healing, it brings immense satisfaction and pride. Knowing that my creativity can impact others in meaningful ways is what drives and fulfills me the most.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I find resonance with the profound insights of Brené Brown, who eloquently articulatesthat vulnerability is not a weakness but the wellspring of our strength. Brown’s book,Daring Greatly, Dr. Brown describes vulnerability as “uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.”This is an unstable feeling that people can get when they step out of their comfort zone or do something that forces us to loosen control. However, embracingvulnerability is not a sign of weakness but rather an act of courage and strength. It canbe a catalyst for personal healing and transformation. “Vulnerability is the birthplace oflove, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity.” Her research underscores theidea that by acknowledging our vulnerability, we not only connect more authenticallywith ourselves but also forge deeper connections with others. It illustrates how vulnerability can serve as a catalyst for personal growth, emotional healing, andauthentic self-expression. A sense of vulnerability not only breeds, as we so often think,the negative emotions like shame, fear, and anxiety, it also lies deep at the heart of all ofour most wonderful experiences as human beings. As Brown puts it, “the sense of vulnerability is the most accurate measure of courage that we researchers have.”

“Art as Therapy,” woven by the thoughtful hands of Alain de Botton and JohnArmstrong, art emerges as a sanctuary for the soul, a haven where self-exploration andemotional healing converge. They unravel art’s most intimate embrace: its power to mend the fissures of our psyche, to cradle our fears of imperfection in its gentle grasp.They assert art’s role not merely as an aesthetic whisper but as a tool—a tool that extends our hands beyond nature’s gifts, mending the unseen wounds of our spirit. In my own time with felt, I’ve discovered a kindred spirit to this philosophy. In my own time with felt, I’ve discovered a kindred spirit to this philosophy. The caress of fibers between my fingers, the alchemy of colors blending under my touch, becomes more than creation—it becomes a conversation, a quiet confessional where my heart spills its secrets into the soft embrace of felt. This craft is my dialogue with the depths, a tactile soliloquy where the unspoken pains and joys of my being find voice in the fabric.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carriehan.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jingyi.art?igsh=MmVlMjlkMTBhMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-han-b34287158/

Image Credits

1-3 by Nick Bruno