We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nine Zhao. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nine below.
Alright, Nine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
My personal sketchbook project is one of the most meaningful things I’ve taken on. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve started carrying my sketchbook everywhere—whether I’m traveling, hanging out at friends’ places, or just visiting parks, restaurants, and bars. Sketching has helped me with my creative process. A lot of my inspirations and emotions, even the sensitive ones, end up on those pages. This project has made me more mindful of the world around me.
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?
Hey, my name is Nine Zhao, I am an editorial illustrator. I do illustrations for prints and also non-print gifs. I completed my undergraduate studies at SVA in 2019 and am currently pursuing my graduate degree in illustration at MICA. My work often explores themes like nature, technology, animals, human relationships, mental health, LGBTQIA+ topics, and fantasy. I love observing people and paying attention to small things going on in our lives, depicting what I observe in creative visuals, and I’m happy to help others to do so.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
This is a deep question for me. Rationally, I believe that having a strong sense of purpose and conviction is essential for success, but in reality, I often feel lost, losing confidence from time to time, and often asking myself: Can I actually find my place this time, in this industry? The truth is, that there are numerous talented artists out there, I was told long ago by one of my professors that the moment I start comparing myself to others, I’ve already lost. So, I’ve turned my attention inward, searching back to my earliest memories. As a child, the reason for drawing seemed simple—I loved it. I loved turning my thoughts into visible lines on paper—drawing houses and fields, little animals and furniture, and then playing with my friends using these drawings. Art became a tool of communication, faster than words, between us. The ability to convey emotions and ideas this way felt magical to me. Looking back, images also existed earlier than written language in history.
This isn’t just the case for visual art; it’s true for other forms of art as well. The beauty of art lies in how artists create their own systems of language, capable of being shared and interacted with between people. In more abstract terms, art becomes an outlet for the soul. I want to express boldly here that I long for connection, interaction, and understanding, and these wishes drive my creativity. My thoughts may be personal and perhaps even shallow, but it’s the most powerful force I’ve found within me to push me forward.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
In fact, it’s a simple idea, but one I haven’t practiced in a long time before—connect with people! Reach out to those in the industry whom you admire, and respect, and do so with kindness. Most people in this field are friendly and supportive. So take that first step with courage!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ninezhao.com
- Instagram: @ninezhao_art
