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\nIt’s a pleasure to have illustrator Yinfan Huang<\/a><\/strong> visiting today on the first Sunday of the month, when I tend to feature debut illustrators or those who have just graduated from illustration programs. Yinfan was born and raised in China but now lives and works in the U.S. <\/p>\n
I am going to hand 7-Imp over to her briefly, because she talks below about her inspirations, work, and much more. Best of all, she shares some art. <\/p>\n
I thank her for visiting. <\/p>\n
I wanted to become an artist, starting at age five. I have a drawing from then to prove this. (The title in Chinese reads: \u201cWhen I Grow Up.\u201d) Aside from doing illustrations, I like to make functional and artistic ceramics and sell them at craft fairs and online. I have a side business, In Fun Handmade<\/a><\/strong>, dedicated to that. I also create comic strips<\/a><\/strong>, inspired by my life living in New York City and my tuxedo cat, Sesame. Note for any new readers: 7-Imp\u2019s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.<\/p>\n I’m not gonna lie. The news has got me down, particularly the Senate and their tax bill vote. I’m trying not to feel hopeless about our country. But I can’t just give up here this week. I’m gonna do my best to find kicks, and I hope you’ll join me. <\/p>\n 2)<\/strong><\/font> “We will never be separated. WE ARE A FAMILY.” My daughters’ friend at their weekly D&D<\/a><\/strong> gathering when someone mentioned that the group might get so big, they’d maybe have to break into smaller ones. <\/p>\n 3)<\/strong><\/font> Have I mentioned I really like my daughters’ friends? <\/p>\n 4)<\/strong><\/font> Yinfan’s visit here. <\/p>\n
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\nYinfan<\/font><\/strong>: My name is Yinfan Huang, and I\u2019m a Chinese illustrator, based in New York. I\u2019ve been living and working in the U.S. by myself for six years now. (Next year will mark my seventh year \u2014 eeek!) I really enjoy the freedom to be who I am here in the U.S., especially in New York City. I\u2019m inspired by big cities, happy beats, and bright colors. <\/p>\n
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\nAnd I created my first picture book dummy when I was seven years old. It\u2019s called \u201cThe Adventure Of A Kitty Cat.\u201d It was a hilarious story about a lazy kitty who tries to grow fishes out of a tree. (I think I\u2019ve always had a unique sense of humor.) I also had a strong sense of perspective and colors in my drawings when I was little. Even now, I still try to keep a child\u2019s perspective and imagination in my work.
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\nI am deeply committed to my vocation as an illustrator. So much so that I left China to pursue my passion in the United States, where I felt I would receive a quality education in my chosen field. Additionally, I knew that living in the States, and especially in New York, would give me access to one of the best developed illustration markets in the world. This has been a great decision for my life and my career. Not only have I been able to thrive here in my field, but I\u2019ve also been deeply inspired by the energy of New York City.
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\nI create all my illustrations by hand, primarily in colored pencils combined with some gouache and watercolor. I really enjoy working with my hands. I believe hand-drawn art is timeless and has a magical power to touch people\u2019s hearts and souls in this fast-paced digital world. Some children\u2019s illustrators I really admire are Christian Robinson<\/a><\/strong>, Carson Ellis<\/a><\/strong>, Julie Morstad<\/a><\/strong>, Isabelle Arsenault<\/a><\/strong>, and Laura Carlin<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n
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\nAfter graduating from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design<\/a><\/strong> in 2014, I started out by doing editorial illustrations for adult and children\u2019s magazines. I\u2019ve been very fortunate to meet some great art directors, who gave me lots of freedom and let me experiment with my work. Being an editorial illustrator has trained me to work fast under tight deadlines, which I find very helpful. But deep down in my heart I know children\u2019s books are my true love.
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\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/12\/yinfanhuang-websitesmall.jpg\")
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\nLast year, I illustrated my first children\u2019s book, Stories of My Dad<\/em> [see art here<\/a><\/strong>], a novel by Chinese author Sifan Mei, based on her personal stories growing up with her dad (who is a renowned children\u2019s writer in China). When I got the manuscript from the Chinese publisher, I felt an instant connection with the stories. I teared up when I read the chapter where Sifan\u2019s dad sent her off to study in France. It was so relatable. The book has been released in only China thus far.
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\nEarlier this year, the second children\u2019s book I illustrated, a translated version of Helen Peters’<\/a><\/strong> UK middle-grade novel The Secret Hen House Theatre<\/a><\/strong><\/em> [see art here<\/a><\/strong>], was released in China as well. I had lots of fun reading this story of a brave and passionate little girl, Hannah, and how she saved her family farm using her creativity. In many ways, I related to her. I truly enjoyed working on the book.
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\nI don’t get to visit China often, because of visas and all the hustle involved in international travel. My parents come to visit me sometimes \u2014 but not often (for the same reason). It didn\u2019t bother me before, but I\u2019m starting to miss China more and more. It\u2019s hard to be apart from your own country and culture, especially one which roots deeply in you. I have many Chinese friends here in New York and I could get Chinese food easily, but it\u2019s just different. I very much miss reading physical Chinese books. Working with clients and books from China has helped me connect with my culture and ease my homesickness.
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\nRight now I\u2019m illustrating my debut picture book, which I\u2019m super excited about. This time it will be able to reach American audiences. One day, I hope to be an author-illustrator and write stories that are important to me and to create timeless, authentic picture books that will inspire and impact both children and adults. For now, I\u2019m very happy to be an illustrator and tell stories through my visual language.
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\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/12\/Bird_websmall.jpg\")
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\nAll images used by permission of Yinfan Huang.<\/em> <\/p>\n
<\/center><\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/12\/lowlandhumxmas.jpg\")
1)<\/strong><\/font> Beautiful new holiday music from Lowland Hum<\/strong><\/a>, pictured left. <\/p>\n