We were lucky to catch up with Yan Jiang recently and have shared our conversation below.
Yan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Since kindergarten, art has been a constant in my life, but it wasn’t until high school that I knew I wanted to pursue it professionally. This change came when I met Mr. Matthew Hug.
Schooling never really resonated with me; pursuing teacher validation and higher grades through expected answers always felt boring. However, everything changed when I encountered a new teacher, Matthew Hug. He encouraged us to think for ourselves, assigning essays and creative projects instead of multiple-choice and short-answer questions. In his class, the rigid lines of right and wrong blurred, and we were strongly encouraged by expressing our own ideas and perspectives.
Under his guidance, I discovered the power of my own voice and infused it into my art. With each brushstroke and pencil mark, I gained the confidence to explore my passions with newfound depth. But it wasn’t just about self-expression; it was about using art as a catalyst for positive change, just as Mr. Hug had done in our classroom. In my high school project, “Dispersion”, I depicted a scene of the bleak backdrop of a gray apartment complex, where in the middle, vibrant flowers bloomed, their petals spreading hope and warmth to every corner. This portrayal demonstrated the transformative power of influence, much like what Mr. Hug imparted, and my decision to carry it forward.
Through his mentorship, I learned that art is not just about creating beauty; it’s about igniting change, carrying each other, and spreading joy in the darkest of places. From that point, I have decided to pursue art professionally, ready to leave my mark just as Mr. Hug left his on me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi! My name is Yan Jiang, a book illustrator based in Providence and Toronto. I aspire to write and illustrate for children’s picture book. I am currently pursuing an illustration BFA from Rhode Island School of Design. Originally from China, I immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where I found myself living in an isolated rural area. Such place provided me with time and quietness to really explore the complexities of my own emotions, and art became my outlet—a way for me to not only express myself but also to make sense of the world around me.
My work for children focus around expressing my perspectives and personal emotions. Contrary to popular belief, I believe that children and teenagers possess complex emotions and the ability to understand complex ideas that often go unrecognized or underestimated by adults. Through my illustrations, I try to present these aspects visually, delving into myself and connect with my young audience on a deeper level.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I believe one aspect that non-creatives may find challenging to understand about my journey as a creative is the emphasis on process over result. In many conventional fields, success is often measured by tangible outcomes—a high grade, admission to a prestigious college, or a well-paying job. However, for creatives like myself, the journey of creating art is just as significant, if not more so, than the final product. For me, the process of drawing, painting, and bringing my ideas to life is where I find the greatest fulfillment. It’s not about the final product, but rather the journey of exploration, experimentation, and self-expression that occurs along the way.
This mindset can be seem in my children’s picture book work. While brighter colors and entertaining themes to appeal to a wider children audience and align more with the market, I’m more interested in exploring more complex emotions and themes and using darker colors. For instance, “Once Upon A Time” is a spread from my ongoing children’s picture book project, which delves into the concept of happiness and its relation to external circumstances, particularly during adversity. The story grapples with the internal struggle of equating happiness with material wealth, juxtaposed with the protagonist’s present contentment surrounded by loved ones. To capture the challenges they face, I used mostly muted colors. For me, it’s all about telling a story that matters to me, rather than focusing solely on what sells. The creative process in producing the work I am interested in makes me feel fulfilled and happy, which is the reason that keeps me loving what I do for years.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Growing up in a traditional Chinese community in Toronto, my art education focused heavily on technical skills. We spent hours practicing master copies and drawing from life, but there wasn’t much room for personal expression. Everyone’s work is looking impressive, but looking back, I think we were all producing the same thing. As a result, I grew up believing that great art had to be hyper-realistic, with perfect colors, perspective, and anatomy——this was always my goal to pursue.
However, it is actually during the Covid, my mindset underwent a significant shift. Due to the lockdown of schools and my art studio, I ended up having plenty of time at home to explore my interests and reflect on myself. I developed habits of writing journals, learning art history, and reading literature, which enriched my experiences. As I mentioned previously, I also developed critical thinking and confidence in pursuing my own projects, even if they didn’t initially appear impressive. Gradually, I unlearned my obsession with creating only realistic art and developed my own artistic language that reflects my personality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jiangyan.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: @garlicbunnyy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yan-jiang-439347231
