We were lucky to catch up with Wenqing Gu recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Wenqing 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.
The most meaningful project for me is <We Cross America>.
In 2021, I graduated from Fordham University with a graduate degree in accounting. Despite my newly acquired credentials, I found myself filled with uncertainty and indecision about my future career path. I grappled with the choice between pursuing a career in accounting or following my true passion for illustration. In an effort to gain clarity and direction, my partner and I made the bold decision to relocate from New York City to San Francisco, in hopes of gaining a fresh perspective and experiencing a new way of life.
After completing my graduate studies, my partner, our beloved cat Niuniu, and I embarked on an epic 20-day road trip across the United States, traveling from the East Coast to the West. It was a truly fantastic and unforgettable experience. We relished in the beautiful natural scenery, savored the unique cuisines of different cities, and delved into the customs and traditions of the places we visited. I was also able to visit many inspiring galleries and meet talented artists along the way, which further fueled my passion for illustration. This journey helped me gain a renewed sense of purpose and clarity, and I returned home with a newfound determination to pursue my true calling.
During our journey, I discovered a sense of true freedom and my perspective on life became much more open-minded. I encountered new experiences and perspectives, and it gradually helped me to realize the importance of continually exploring the unknown and the uncertain. This includes not just the wonderful outside world but also our inner selves. As I look back on my life now, I see it as a map, and I hope that the territory I have explored so far is vast and varied. And I hope to continue exploring new and magnificent places that I have yet to experience. I also learned that it is important to be true to oneself and to pursue one’s interests, as the meaning of life is to constantly try new things, experience new things, and challenge oneself.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
When I asked my friends to describe my biggest characteristic, many of them said that I am a loving and warm person who can bring strength to others. I wholeheartedly believe that through persistence and love, one can achieve warmth and freedom in life. The words of Roman Rolland resonate deeply with me, “There is only one true heroism in the world: to see the world as it is and to love it.” This quote reminds me of the importance of having an open mind, being able to see the world as it is, and finding beauty in it, no matter what challenges we may face.
Making the switch from a career in accounting to illustration was one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced. When I discovered my love for illustration, I felt a mix of sadness and anxiety, knowing that a career change would require not only the courage to step out of my comfort zone but also the ability to explore new areas. However, during this transition period, I received a lot of encouragement from my friends and even strangers. To improve my skills and knowledge, I actively sought out resources for learning. I began by thinking of myself as an artist and started practicing collage techniques using newspaper posters. I also took several online courses on platforms such as Skillshare and spent my weekends browsing through bookstores, eventually amassing a collection of over 300 picture books that provided me with inspiration and insights about illustration. Additionally, I came to realize that my background in accounting could be merged with my newfound passion for art and that it could offer a unique perspective to my work. I began to view my previous experience as an advantage rather than a burden, and this helped me to approach my new career with renewed energy and confidence.
For now, my focus is on children’s books and products. I believe that my characteristic as a loving and warm person matches the needs of children, which gives me a unique advantage in this field. My love for bright colors, unique characters, and authentic stories, and my illustration style, which is whimsical, humorous, and warm, can create works that not only are loved by children but also nourish their souls.
I am passionate about creating illustrations that can bring joy and inspiration to children, and I am confident that my unique combination of skills and characteristics will allow me to excel in this field.
My primary drawing tool is an iPad, but I am also experimenting with traditional materials. In the last six months, I have been exploring different mediums and techniques, including designing building block toys, plush dolls, and ceramic utensils. These new forms of creation have allowed me to expand my ideas from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional world and express my concepts in new and exciting ways. It has been a fun and challenging experience, and it has helped me to grow as an artist and designer.
I am currently focused on creating children’s books. One of the stories I am working on is about a bear named Petru who travels alone and shares beautiful scenery with his friends when he returns. I have completed the storyboard and have begun designing the main character. My goal is to bring the story to life through my illustrations and to make it engaging and relatable for children. I am excited about the possibility of my story being published in the future and look forward to sharing it with a wider audience.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I hope that my illustrations and stories can provide children with the same sense of love, friendship, and connection that classic Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse and The Lion King have brought to so many people. I want my characters and stories to inspire and empower children at different stages of their lives and to become cherished memories that they will carry with them throughout their lives. It would be an honor to be able to make such a positive impact on children through my work.
In my childhood, my parents were often busy and unable to give me much attention, so I turned to my imagination to find happiness and comfort. Illustrations have always been a source of warmth and comfort for me and continue to be so. One of my strengths is that I have a childlike sense of wonder and imagination, and I am also empathetic to children. I can see the world from a child’s perspective rather than an adult’s perspective, which can often be condescending or judgmental. To children, it’s not essential to establish a sense of order but to keep them curious and maintain their sense of innocence. Through my illustrations, I hope to create a warm and soothing world for children, a place they can escape to and find comfort when they need it. I hope these happy memories can also be a source of energy for them when they face setbacks as adults. My ultimate goal is to create illustrations that can accompany children as they grow up and bring them joy throughout their lives.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Since becoming an artist, I have had the opportunity to explore both the external world and my own inner self. This not only fulfills the demands of my work but also brings me personal growth and allows me to create better work.
On the one hand, I am constantly exposed to new artworks, different mediums, and new ways of creation, which keeps me in a state of continuous learning and self-improvement. On the other hand, I have ample time to reflect on my own feelings and the world around me. For example, I’ve had the opportunity to read many excellent children’s books, which have deeply nourished my spirit and helped to dispel the exhaustion and trauma that I had accumulated from the adult world.
As I continue to grow and evolve as an artist, my work will become more expressive and impactful. Through my illustrations and stories, I can bring positivity and inspiration to the world. In turn, this creates a positive cycle that can lead to a better and more empathetic world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wenqinggu.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wenqing.guuu/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenqing-gu/