Meet Huilin Gui | Illustrator

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

Hi Huilin, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I wanted to fulfill my childhood dream. Like many kids, I used to scribble and doodle on paper every day, imagining becoming an artist one day.

I would draw five-story buses on sketchbooks, imagining my whole family living inside. I would also help my friends draw their dream homes. This sense of happiness brought by creation enriched my childhood.

However, as I entered school, the heavy workload quickly pushed aside this idea. I devoted all my energy to academics without the opportunity to choose otherwise, as everyone told me to study hard. It wasn’t until I faced the decision of going to college that I finally realized what I really want, to draw, to become the person I dreamed of being as a child, and to bring the power of drawing to more people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My illustrations are deeply rooted in my personal growth experiences and cultural background. They narrate the story of my childhood under the care of my grandparents in China. I grew up in Beijing China, when I was little, my parents had to go to work, so I spent most of my childhood with the company of my grandparents. My grandpa would walk me to school every day, my grandma would make me all the delicious food. On weekends, I would go to my other grandparents’ house to play… Many of these everyday moments that have remained in my memory are related to them. So, my artwork revolves around these memories. I hardly have any childhood photos taken from daily life, so I started piecing together fragmented memories: the little goldfish swimming in the fish tank, the trailing plant on the air conditioner, the old-style rear projection TV, the radio, the plants on the balcony, the sweet potatoes in the corner of the dining room, the walnuts on the coffee table… Each detail in the paintings is a “gift” that once appeared in my life.

I don’t limit myself to specific materials when drawing. I use watercolor, pastels, colored pencils, crayons, collage and more. I enjoy the feeling of blending different materials together, as long as they serve the story I want to tell. While I emphasize hand-drawing, I also embrace digital processing to enhance my illustrations.

After graduating from the Illustration program at the School of Visual Arts last year, I am honored to have received a lot of recognition. My work has been featured in the SOI 66 Annual, CIAC, IJungle, Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrator Competition, and Key Color Competition. Additionally, my work has been showcased in exhibitions and art fairs.

For me, one of the biggest challenges along this journey has been self-recognition of my work. With so many different illustration styles, it’s easy to fall into self-doubt when seeing others’ illustrations. I’ve experimented with different styles and topics in the pursuit of other’s recognition. However, I’ve come to realize that true inner peace comes from creating what truly resonates with yourself.

I hope my work evokes warmth and strength in people, serving as a chance for viewers to share and express love with their loved ones.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I might take them geocaching around the streets of New York City. Each treasure location is so unexpected and it always has an interesting story related to the city.We’d also explore vintage shops in the East Village and watch classic movies at Metrograph in Chinatown, which is my favorite movie theater. There are so many places to see in New York, just walking around with a cup of coffee can be exciting.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family supports my choice of pursuing a career in illustration, even though they may not fully understand what illustration is. My friends in New York have become my chosen family, offering me love and help. My teachers unconditionally encourage me to push myself to create better artworks. Additionally, everyone who appreciates my work deserves credit. Their support and encouragement, big and small, make me feel deeply grateful.

Website: https://www.huilindraws.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huilin.draws/