We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yan Gu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Though I am at the very beginning stage of my career, I can say that I enjoy freelancing more than having a regular job. Being a freelance illustrator takes a lot of courage because the income can be very unstable compared to regular jobs. I have had experience working in both large companies and small studios. I did appreciate getting paid monthly, but on the other hand working in a company doesn’t really allow me to express myself as an artist.
Working as a freelance illustrator is great because I can spend more time with my family and friends, and I get to make works that go under my name and with my style. But sometimes I still get anxious because of the unstable income. So right now I am taking a part-time job to support myself financially.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi my name is Yan Gu, I am a freelance illustrator based in Shanghai, China. I have been writing and illustrating picture books since I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 2022. During college I have taken a few commissions from China. I didn’t enjoy negotiating with my clients that much, so I began looking for representation right after graduating from RISD. It took me a few months and a lot of rejections till I met my current agent.
My works are mostly inspired by my childhood memories, personal experiences, and nature. I love using vibrant colors and simple shapes in my works. And I am specialized in using color to express moods and convey stories.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I love reading picture books, though it only contains dozens of pages, whenever I read a good story it can echo in my heart for months and even for years. I think a good story should not only make sense to children but it should also touch adults’ hearts. So I wish to make stories that resonate with many people.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist to me is that I get to see my books on the shelf. I can’t express how touched I was when I received the physical copy of the first project I illustrated. Though it was a coloring book commission which didn’t allow me to fully express my style and myself. It was still great to see my works getting published.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yanguart.com/
- Instagram: yangouz
- Twitter: YINUKO1
Image Credits
Yan Gu