We recently connected with Shuhan Yang and have shared our conversation below.

Shuhan, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have been drawing since I could remember anything in my childhood. Growing up I loved making comics, sharing them with classmates, and posting them online. In middle school, I watched some DreamWorks animated movies and that inspired me to pursue a career in making art professionally.

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 grew up in a small urban area in Hunan, China. My single mother cared for me when we had the bare minimum and had to rent an unpainted apartment with no furniture. I never felt like I didn’t have much because I was so loved and supported by her. I was provided access to the internet at a young age and discovered how different cultures could be; it inspired me so much about where to go with my artistic interests.

In the Chinese education system, I felt trapped. It was difficult for me to keep up with the classes and exams, and my hopes and interests were almost forbidden.

Luckily, I was given the opportunity to be an exchange student at Franklin, Indiana, and that experience later helped me go to SCAD for my undergrad degree. I was able to explore a different side of the earth and it was incredible and eye-opening. I got to improve my art in an academic, diverse, open-minded environment and I wouldn’t get to where I am today without it.

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

My favorite piece of literature is a Chinese classic called Dream of the Red Chamber / Story of the Stone. It is my biggest inspiration in the creative process and my life philosophy in general.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Start making a reference photo library! I use a lot of photography and have been building photos that were shot by my and my friends that we have a copyright to. and you never know when it will come in handy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shuhandraws.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5geng_/