Today we’d like to introduce you to Hao Zheng.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Guangdong, China. I have had various hobbies since I was a kid. And doodling is always my favorite. After I graduated from high school in China, I had a chance to study abroad at Arkansas State University. That was my first opportunity to learn art from professionals. I have double majors in Studio Art and Graphic design. During my time at ASU, I had the chance to learn different ways to create art, such as ceramics, print-making, and sculpture. All kinds of experiences of art make me an open-minded human being. I enjoy seeing artwork in different styles and thinking about how they work their way out. And I also enjoy exploring my way of drawing. When I graduated from ASU, I was eager for more training. I wanted to know more about how to be an artist in the industry, so I went to San Francisco and started an MFA program as an illustration student at the Academy of Art University. The journey at AAU is mind-blowing. I got in touch with great teachers and students in many other emphases. They taught me how an artist and illustrations take part in a game, film, and animation. At the same time period, I know about Magic: the Gathering, one of the best trading card games in the world. I was fascinated by the magical stories and concepts. All the card illustrations were created by top-level artists around the world. I admire them, and I know that I want to be a fantasy illustrator in the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am optimistic in many ways, and I am good at self-reconciliation. That makes fewer struggles on my way. I think I am a lucky person. I discovered my love for art when I was young. My family is supportive. And I know what kinds of art I want or don’t want to create. Clearing objectives can avoid detours. However, there are still challenges I have met. Around the time I graduated with my MFA, I had to consider my career. Creating concept art portfolios for games or animations is the best option for the students around me. And I spent time doing so. Soon, I realized I had more to show through my artwork. Not only to show the skill of design but also the emotions and thoughts about things around us. So, I started spending more time discovering myself and creating more personal artwork. That would be a difficult path because I was afraid I would miss opportunities to be selected to work for game or animation companies. I struggled until I noticed that there are more and more different, various, and wild styles of illustration that show on Magic: the Gathering. Then, I knew all I needed to do was consistently do my things and carry them to extremes. And I will have the opportunity in the future.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I would say I am a fantasy illustrator. I like to read mythology, folklore, and urban legends of different cultures. These whimsical stories are the inspiration for my artworks. I also want to capture all the things that are easily overlooked in daily life. For example, a funny-looking damp on the road, the low-presence person in our class who never speaks to others, a sensitive feeling that flashes across our mind. Lately, I have been creating a series of illustrations called Night-Walking. It is about my character wandering around different places at night. And those places look strangely different from what we saw in the daytime. I show my experience and emotions through these stories. And it has a vibe of urban legends within.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
On my journey as an illustrator, I have met so many great people that inspired me. John Norris and Chuck Pyle are my mentors from ASU and AAU. They trained my skills and showed me all the possibilities for the future. Baitan Liu and Luke Lu are my close friends who always back me up. And they are also an excellent artist in their emphasis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zuno.artstation.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hao_zuno/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hao-zheng/
