Meet Rui Cao | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rui Cao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rui, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In the beginning, it’s all about an idea and a thing I’m interested in doing. As an illustrator, my biggest business would be branding my artwork to the public and building a bridge between myself and my audience.

Initially, I was uncertain about which path within the art field to pursue. Fortunately, I discovered illustration and fell in love with it. Despite not considering myself a naturally gifted illustrator, I persevered to find my artistic voice and to express meaningful messages through my work. I struggled with self-doubt, feeling that my early works were lacking in substance. However, my first art fair was the first moment I felt a connection and realized that my art could bring joy to others. Ever since then, I’ve constantly been involved in different art events, and my goal is always to use my art to bring happiness and healing to people’s lives.

In recent years, my creative process has been during my 2d illustrations into 3d products, “bring them to life” is a quote that I often say to others. Instead of creating a business, I’m more prefer the word ‘world-building’. where I wish people could be engaged within my illustration world, such as a simple ceramic character, a wooden sculpture, or a plushie.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I specialize in both digital and analog art, and I’ve been focusing on narrative storytelling and world-building concepts for the past few years. As I’ve said earlier, I have developed innovative techniques to turn my illustrations into 3d products. This has allowed me to explore different possibilities in my art and create pieces that are both visually striking and interactive, which is something I am very excited to do.

I think I’m a very lucky person because my journey was pretty smooth, though there definitely were challenges to face along the way. I didn’t know anything when I first stepped into the art industry. When I had my first art fair, I was at a table surrounded by professional artists, book publishers, and art curators. I was all over the place and very hectic because I clearly wasn’t well prepared compared with the others. I didn’t prepare packages and bags, the prints were not enough, and I didn’t even have a card reader, so I only accepted cash. But it was a valuable experience where I was able to learn from other artists and my mistakes, and then the next time, I could improve and do better, which I did.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I really enjoy the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The views there are different each season, and it is a great place to look for inspiration because many of my works involve nature. The Georgia Aquarium is also a great place to go if you are interested in marine life; when I get the chance, I would take my sketchbook and just sit in the corners for a full day sketching different fishes and people.

For dining, there’s a place called The Optimist. Every 5 pm ~ 6 pm is their oyster happy hour, the oysters and the butter bread is amazing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a shout-out to my MICA MFA ILP program professors, Whitney Sherman (program director) and Mai Ly Degnan. Throughout my studies at MICA, they’ve shown me so many possibilities of what I can do as an illustrator; they are very supportive and gave me a lot of professional feedback that helps me to improve.

Website: https://www.ruicaoillustration.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rui_0524/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caorui0524/?originalSubdomain=ca