Meet Yan Shao | illustrator｜designer

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

Hi Yan, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have loved drawing since elementary school. It all started because I enjoyed reading comics, and then I gradually began to try drawing on my own. At first, I simply saw drawing as a hobby, but later I realized how much I enjoyed bringing to life what I imagined in my mind or what I saw on paper. So, with great determination, I decided that I would pursue drawing as my profession in the future.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have spent a lot of time searching for my own illustration style. I used to change my style based on different themes when I was drawing, which resulted in my works looking like they were not done by the same person when I put them together. My style gradually stabilized until the end of my senior year in college. I think that exploring and discovering one’s own way of expression is really important in terms of developing a unique style.

Many people say that my artwork gives them a sense of peace and tranquility. My illustrations tend to lean towards lifestyle and are mostly inspired by my own experiences and feelings. More often than not, negative emotions from life inspire me, but I do not express them in a sad or gloomy way. I am skilled in decorative illustration, so I like to express these negative emotions in a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to the city where I currently am, which is Baltimore, I would definitely take her to the Inner Harbor and the campus of MICA. Inner Harbor is the downtown area of Baltimore, but most of the time it’s quite peaceful, with lots of great restaurants and shopping places. My favorite is a dessert shop called “Sacre Sacre,” which is a place I would definitely take my friend to, along with the Baltimore Aquarium and the art museum. At the same time, Baltimore is also famous for its seafood, so I would definitely take her to eat crab cakes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I believe that my portfolio instructor in my senior year had a significant impact on my illustration journey. Before that, I was in a state of confusion, where my art style would change with different new themes. When I looked at all my illustration together, it was hard to imagine they were created by the same person. However, my portfolio instructor identified my issues clearly and provided continuous encouragement. This helped me gain confidence and a stronger determination to pursue the path of illustration. I believe that inner drive and mindset are crucial factors in this journey.

Website: www.yanshao.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/yanshao_xz?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Other: Wechat: Augxzzz

Image Credits
all images are credited to Yan Shao.