Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuxin Ding.
Hi Yuxin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up surrounded by art in all forms because I was born into an artistic household. My grandmother was a musician, my grandfather painted traditional Chinese paintings, and my parents, who both attended art schools, currently work as designers. In such a vibrant artistic environment, I developed a strong foundation in several art forms and an unmatched fascination with art. Yet, I was different from other kids because many parents would have sent their kids to art classes from a young age if they had a particular artistic skill. Up to the point that I decided to pursue a career in the arts, my parents never sent me to formal art instruction. As a result, I have kept my love of art pure and sincere, and I investigate all art-related subjects whenever I want, whether I’m traveling, learning, or having fun. Without worrying about whether my paintings fit the standard, I have an intuitive connection to art. Any topic is open to exploration in my mind and images.
My free art experience and practice for years have guided my way to a major in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. My undergraduate studies and practice have provided me with an in-depth understanding of the diverse art form of illustration, its various techniques, styles and expressions, and have convinced me of illustration’s importance – it is a free presentation of my mind and expression. I seek inspiration from my daily life and wild imagination, and through the setting of scenes, the shaping of characters, and the choice of color schemes, I present the stories in my mind through the artistic language of illustration. In particular, I took the Children’s Book course for three semesters, a class that evoked all my senses for drawing and strengthened my desire to become an illustrator. In addition, many of my family members and friends have seen my paintings. They say they can feel peace, warmth, and happiness in my pictures. I am satisfied and overjoyed with their comments because these are the exact message and feeling I want to convey through my work.
After graduating from SVA with a bachelor’s degree in 2023, I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Illustration at SCAD. I intend to learn more about the expressive qualities, visual communication, and creative applications of painting and drawing in order to delve deeper into the mystique of art by investigating a diverse range of conceptual and material approaches it provides. I look forward to developing into an illustrator who engages the public through works that are passionate, emotional, and uniquely belong to myself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I think it’s a smooth road for me so far. Besides my college experience, I had an internship at one of the largest illustration studios in China, which gave me a more practical understanding of the industry. During the internship, I was impressed by the illustrators’ working atmosphere and team spirit. When we discussed together, each illustrator could enjoy privacy while sharing their own ideas. One of my assignments was to work on a complete project. Apart from this internship experience, as my creative work accumulated, I had a week-long exhibition called The Other World with other SVA illustration majors at an art park, 798 ArtDist in Beijing, China. During the exhibition, I communicated and discussed with my peers and visitors, which gave me more thoughts about illustration. I adore illustration just as much as exploring new places, going on hikes, taking leisurely strolls, and simply embracing life and all that is lovely. They offer me courage, motivation, and the will to seek happiness. For me, the use of color evokes a particular sensation. I like to use light colors to represent calm and warm little stories, and I choose neutral hues over highly saturated or very dark colors. Also, my undergraduate graduation project, “Small Animals, Big World,” has been shortlisted for the Communication Arts Illustration Award 2024 and The 9th China Illustration Biennial.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always enjoyed having wild fantasies since I was a child. I didn’t give up these existences that I believed in as I grew up. The most common fantasy I have in my daily life is that there must be a world of small creatures that people never find in the inconspicuous corners that we usually ignore. In my mind, I am always thinking about how they live their rich lives, and thus my works are born.
I am skilled at painting on the iPad. I like to get ideas while traveling and walking outside, and it is much easier for me to take it with me and record it anywhere than it is to use traditional tools. I enjoy the process of drawing lines. I believe the lines contain rich emotions, and even if you only use black, you can express the emotions contained in the painting through subtle differences such as line thickness variation.
What were you like growing up?
I hope that I can continue to work as a teacher in an art school when I finish my studies. I hope that more people can feel the beauty of expressing themselves through illustrations. And I also hope to have my own studio where I can freely create while teaching. It would be wonderful if I could publish a few children’s book of my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stelladyx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stella_dyx
- Other: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/58d25d116a6a692292b29d7b
