We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zhen Liu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zhen , thanks for joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
During my second year in art school, I received an unusual commission. An older gentleman asked me to create a charcoal portrait based on a childhood photo of him surrounded by his classmates. His request came with a unique twist—he wanted me to use his face, but combine it with a female classmate’s hair and another female classmate’s dress. As he shared his story, he revealed a dream he had held onto for over seventy years: he had always longed to be a girl.
It was my first project, and I poured my heart into it, spending many nights refining the drawing. I sought feedback from my life drawing instructor and went out of my way to show him the progress as the portrait unfolded. When I finally presented the finished piece—carefully framed and detailed—his reaction was something I’ll never forget. With tears in his eyes, he told me that I had done something profoundly meaningful for him.
At the time, I had recently moved to the U.S. from a conservative town of a conservative country, and my understanding of the LGBTQ+ community was limited. Yet through this experience, I discovered that art transcends boundaries and can connect people on the deepest levels, regardless of background. Since that moment, I’ve been driven to create meaningful art that could touch people’s hearts.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
About me and my journey
I’m Zhen, an illustrator based in the East Bay with a passion for bringing stories to life through visual art. My journey into illustration began with a deep love for storytelling and a search for fulfillment. I discovered that expressing my emotions and documenting my experiences through sketches provided a unique sense of purpose that nothing else could match. During art school, I began my career as a narrative illustrator with projects for a local educational company. Later, signing with a New York agency opened doors for me to work in publishing.
What I Create and How I Solve Problems:
I specialize in illustrations for narrative materials like books and magazines, with a focus on making concepts visually engaging and easy to understand for younger audiences. In projects such as Making a Difference, where I illustrated fictional historical figures and events, my goal was to show young readers how girls can impact the world, adding depth and meaning to the learning experience.
My approach involves immersing myself in the content, starting with rough layouts, and carefully refining each step. I strive to balance creativity with clarity, ensuring that each illustration is both imaginative and accessible.
What Sets Me Apart:
My experiences as a solo traveler from a young age have deeply enriched my perspective. I’ve found beauty in even the most challenging places and have come to appreciate the effort, like enduring long, almost painful hikes to witness the glorious sunshine kissing the mountains; riding on top of an overcrowded bus for hours to go kayaking in “The Rage Water”; or rising early to immerse myself in dense fog. I’ve met and talked to countless strangers on the road, learning about their cultures and lives.
Art, to me, is a reflection of one’s journey, and I hope to bring all these experiences and insights into my work.
What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m most proud of finding my way to this path—it hasn’t been easy. I explored many different directions before discovering a way to express my true passion. Something I could connect with wholeheartedly.
What I Want You to Know:
I want to explore more of the world—I dream of visiting the North Pole, seeing polar bears in real life (though not too close!), living in a village in the Amazon, rolling in the sands of the Sahara, hunting for glaciers in Greenland, and diving into Belize’s Great Blue Hole. Most importantly, I want to grow as an artist and find peace within myself.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Long time ago, I stumbled upon Van Gogh’s biography, and it had a profound impact on me. The kind of suffering Van Gogh went through was exactly what I was searching for at the time—a deep, unwavering dedication to his craft. His dedication to art moved me deeply and inspired me to persevere through the more challenging parts of my journey.
Other books that I’ve found helpful include: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, The Four Agreements, The Creative Act: A Way of Being.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Looking back, I wish I had discovered certain online learning platforms and communities earlier in my creative journey. For example, courses on platforms like Schoolism, Brainstorm, Underpaint Academy and some mentorship programs have been invaluable in refining my skills. These resources provide direct insights from industry professionals, which would have helped me progress faster had I known about them sooner.
I also wish I had connected with a stronger creative community earlier on, like those found on ArtStation or through social media groups focused on specific illustration niches. Surrounding myself with other artists who share similar goals has been crucial for inspiration and growth. Learning from peers and sharing feedback would have pushed me to take more risks and experiment with my style much earlier.
Additionally, 3D technical tools like Blender have become helpful in my work, and I wish I had started exploring it earlier. They offer a flexibility and range of creative possibilities that would have expanded my horizons much sooner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zhenLzhen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhen.l.zhen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZhenLiuArt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhen-l-zhen/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/ZhenL
Image Credits
Zhen Liu