We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sora Lee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sora below.

Sora, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is my 2025 Calendar Project, which follows the year-long journey of two mice. In this project, the two mice travel through peaceful, beautiful places. All worlds without violence, hate, or discrimination. The mice represent me, and their journey represents the world I wish for.

As a queer person in Korea and later an immigrant in America, I’ve experienced hurtful moments of prejudice and exclusion. Through this project, I wanted to embrace myself and create a visual story where I, and anyone who has felt marginalized, could exist safely and be loved for who we are.

I chose mice intentionally. People often see them as dirty or unwelcome, which reminded me of the stereotypes and discrimination queer people still face. But mice have always been here, quietly sharing our world throughout history, just like queer people. By placing them at the center of a warm, gentle journey, I wanted to challenge those perceptions and celebrate resilience, presence, and belonging.

This project is meaningful to me because it became a way to heal, reclaim my narrative, and imagine a kinder world. One I hope others can see themselves in as well.

Sora, 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?

My name is Sora Lee. I was born and raised in South Korea and am now based in the Bay Area. I graduated from the California College of the Arts in 2024 with a BFA in Illustration. I work as both a painter and illustrator, mainly using traditional media such as acrylic gouache, watercolor, and colored pencils.

Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, my dream changed constantly from interior designer to architect, cartoonist, and eventually painter but it was always something creative. The real turning point came when I asked myself, “What if I paint the feelings I’ve been suppressing?” That moment changed everything. Expressing myself through art felt freeing, powerful, and healing. Art became my joy, my companion, and my therapy. It’s the place where I can be completely honest.

My early work focused heavily on those suppressed emotions, but as I healed and found inspiration in other artists, my artwork evolved. It has become warmer, more narrative, and more playful. I discovered how much I love visual storytelling, and how beautiful it is when a picture can make someone feel seen, comforted, or delighted. I aim to create small worlds that people can enter, where they can sense my emotions but also find space for their own. When someone tells me my work made them laugh, cry, or feel understood, it reminds me exactly why I create.

I’m a perfectionist and a detail lover. My paintings take time because I pour so much care into every tiny element, but to me, it’s always worth it.

In terms of what I offer, I create narrative illustrations, fine art paintings, character-driven artworks, and visual stories. I aim to give my audience a sense of comfort, connection, and emotional resonance. What sets me apart is the way I blend gentle storytelling with personal emotion. I make art that feels intimate, warm, and deeply human.

And at the heart of everything is my biggest dream: to become a children’s book and picture book illustrator who inspires, comforts, and captivates both young readers and adults.
I want to create stories that people can grow up with, return to, and feel connected to, stories filled with warmth, imagination, and empathy.

What I’m most proud of is the connection people form with my work. When someone feels comforted, entertained, or seen through my art, it reminds me that storytelling truly matters.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

South Korea, where I was born and raised, is a beautiful country with a rich and distinct culture. I love my home deeply. But growing up there as a queer person was difficult. The lack of acceptance made me hide parts of myself, stay silent, and suppress who I really was. I often felt like something was wrong or “rotten” inside me simply because I couldn’t be honest about who I am and who I love. Being myself felt like the hardest thing in the world.

When I moved to America, I felt a sense of freedom I had never experienced before. For the first time, I felt more accepted, understood, and seen. Things that might seem normal to others, like openly showing affection for my partner or talking about queer identity, were huge milestones for me. Living in the Bay Area especially has helped me feel safer to embrace my identity.

I still experience moments of fear and insecurity when telling people I’m queer, but I’m learning to be braver and more confident. As a queer immigrant artist, I’ve realized I have a powerful tool to communicate with others: art. Art is an international language. Through it, we can connect, understand different perspectives.

My resilience comes from choosing to express myself despite fear and from continuing to create art that reflects my identity, my community, and my hope for a more accepting world.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to turn my inner world into something that connects with others. Art helps me express feelings I can’t always put into words, especially the ones shaped by my experiences. When someone looks at my work and tells me it made them feel comforted, understood, or simply happy, it reminds me why I create.

I also find a lot of joy in building small visual worlds where gentleness, warmth, and acceptance exist. Knowing that my paintings can give someone a moment of peace or nostalgia, or even make them smile, feels incredibly meaningful. It’s like creating a bridge between my story and someone else’s.

And personally, art is rewarding because it allows me to be completely honest. It’s a space where I can be myself without fear; where my identity, emotions, and imagination can exist freely. Through art, I’ve found healing, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Being an artist means I get to share all of that with others. That connection is the most rewarding part.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soralee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l_sora_lee/