We recently connected with Tianshu Wu and have shared our conversation below.

Tianshu , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I enjoy imagining and telling stories. When I was so little that I couldn’t read, I made up stories from illustrations in picture book and shared with my parents. I would require them to listen and if I sensed that they were not paying attention, I asked: “ Are you listening?” Then they would say yes (may be just pretending). Later at school, I filled my textbooks with clumsy doodles which were usually weird abstract characters. I find that I am very sensitive to color. A beautiful palette can easily cheer me up. So I decided to apply for art colleges when I was in high school. After entering the illustration program at SVA, I realized that making images was not just imitating a scene, but more about self-expression. I feel comfortable when I can tell a story through color and shapes, arousing emotions, containing memories and creating real dreams. I learn more than just illustrations in becoming an illustrator. I become more open-minded and more curious about everything. If the world is a locked treasure box, then illustration is my key to explore it.

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

In fact, I didn’t realize that getting into the industry is so hard that going to art schools doesn’t mean you are in the industry when you graduate. Right now I am new to the industry. What I care the most is to find the overlap between my art practice and the commercial market, because art without market and audience is destined to death.

My art practice emphasizes on symbols and storytelling. I use bold color palettes, big shapes and small visual details and almost the work is done digitally. I design my image to serve my concept. Images must convey information, and to make the idea work, the design, the shape, the color in the images have to be arranged in a certain logic. Recently I am inspired from calligraphy and acid posters a lot because there’s a lot overlap in design and my practice.

I’ve got freelanced illustration and design jobs, e.g. designing booklet for bank and illustrating map for children’s book in watercolor, so I’m an illustrator with design-thinking. However, everything is digital now, so I don’t know if I can still do watercolor like before.

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

“What is art” is the question everyone will ask when they encounter art. As a creative, I expect myself earning a living by creating art, but it’s always hard in the beginning of the pursuit of career. Art as an activity of creation gives me a strong mental support when I feel worthless. It teaches my to analyze and understand my emotions, my motives, and my desire, so I become more organized, calm and brave. “Know and create yourself” is my reward of being an artist.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

We always talk about respecting creative work, but there is no clear standard of how to respect. ChatGpt now throws moral questions at us: How important original works will be? How to make sure artist have enough credits when AI reproduction becomes pervasive? We all need to think what we truly want when low costs and stealing seem to be the best choice. Creatives and non-creatives have to find a proper way to live with AI, just like the artists who find a way to live with camera.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_.tianshu._

Image Credits
Image credits to Tianshu Wu. @_.tianshu._