We were lucky to catch up with Tianyi You recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tianyi, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents both studied medicine; one is a doctor and the other is a teacher. However, they were not strict parents. I think the best thing they did was to “not manage me too much.” In my country (China), it’s very rare for parents to let their children grow freely. Because I had poor health as a child, my parents just wanted me to grow up healthy rather than becoming an outstanding student or excelling among my peers. As a result, I could easily “give up when faced with difficulties,” which allowed me to smoothly abandon things I wasn’t good at and eventually find my passion and talent in illustration.

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 come from the central-southern region of China, from a family with no connection to art. My passion for illustration began during my college years when I opted for a landscape gardening major solely for the watercolor classes in the curriculum. Over time, I realized that drawing was my true love. I began teaching myself illustration and created a portfolio to apply to schools in the United States. Today, I am at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) in the MFA Illustration Practice program, a dream I’ve had since 2019. I have just completed my first year and have received awards such as the Bologna Winner Illustrator and the 3×3 Merit Award.
I am an illustrator who excels at line drawing, especially using Chinese brushes. The unique balance between control and imperfection in brush lines captivates me and defines my style. My creations are deeply inspired by my daily life, conversations with friends, and personal reflections. What sets me apart is my ability to find humor and interesting ideas in everyday life and present them through my illustrations. I aim to inspire others who appreciate life to document their experiences and find joy in everyday moments.

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

For me, the most valuable aspect of being an artist is that a part of me can be preserved through my work. This “part” might be my observations of life, my growing pains, my insights, a beautiful period I experienced, or my love for someone. Creating art is my favorite way of recording these moments; recording—preserving memories—is the essence of my life. Additionally, being able to connect with others through my work brings me the greatest happiness.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

For me, the book that has influenced my creative work the most is one that my mom bought for me in 2007 when I was nine years old. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an English version, but its name is “Strangely Reads in the Especial Books.” This book pretends to introduce non-existent books, each offering imaginative and humorous twists on classic fairy tales. It made me realize, “Oh! Books can be like this!” and that humor is valuable too!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yooteenii.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yooteenii/

Image Credits

Tianyi You