Meet Jacquelyn Lin | Illustrator/ Designer

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

Hi Jacquelyn, what principle do you value most?
Well-being is one of the most important aspects of my life. No matter what roles we play—whether as students, employees, partners, friends, or children—we all face challenges that demand significant physical and mental energy. To handle these challenges effectively, we need to prepare ourselves. Prioritizing well-being has strengthened both my physical health and mental stability. Incorporating simple habits into my daily routine, such as eating healthy, sleeping early, staying active, and staying hydrated, these habits has made a significant difference in my life over time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create dynamic drawings using vibrant colors, repetitive lines and shapes. I like to tell inspiring stories through my artworks. I am currently interested in creating color pencil illustrations.
My latest works are “ The Compatible Chinese Zodiacs”. In this project I wanted to explore the relationship between the compatible zodiac animals. By choosing color pencil as the main art medium I use specific colors and shapes to showcase each animal character’s energy and characteristics. I design each drawing with semi-symmetrical/ rounded compositions, intended to show the contrast between each character and the chemistry happening between them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Saturday:
Our weekend begins with a trip to Highland Park, where we’ll grab brunch at Highly Likely, a charming café with a cozy indoor dining area and a delightful outdoor patio. The menu is filled with healthy and delicious brunch options, paired perfectly with their excellent coffee. Afterward, we’ll head to Downtown LA to explore the art market—a vibrant street brimming with art, clothing, ceramics, food, and beverages. If we’re lucky, we might even catch a live drawing session.

Next up is Melrose Avenue, LA’s iconic fashion district. Here, we’ll dive into the ultimate thrifting experience, where you can uncover unique and stylish finds. For dinner, we’ll make our way to Koreatown to dine at Dan Sung Sa, one of LA’s top Korean drinking houses, perfect for ending our first day on a high note.

Sunday:
Sunday is perfect for exploring Pasadena, an artsy neighborhood known for its historic architecture. We’ll start the day at Burlington Arcade, where we’ll grab a specialty coffee at Mandarin Coffee stand. After indulging in croissants and osmanthus coffee, we’ll be ready for the day’s adventure.

We’ll drive up to the Rose Bowl Flea Market, one of the largest flea markets around. It’s a treasure trove of local produce, artisan goods, secondhand clothing, fast food, fine jewelry, vintage furniture, and more. We’ll likely spend a good 3 to 4 hours exploring here. After a day of shopping, we’ll head back to Old Town Pasadena for some frozen yogurt at 21 Choices. If time permits, we can visit the Norton Simon Museum nearby to admire its stunning sculptures and paintings. My favorite spot is the outdoor patio, where we can relax and enjoy the serene garden scenery.

For dinner, we’ll dine at Café Santorini in Old Town Pasadena, one of the area’s top Mediterranean restaurants, wrapping up our weekend with delicious food and great company.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Living in a foreign country demands courage, confidence, a bit of luck, and a relentless drive—especially when pursuing creative goals. For a long time, my mind was clouded with self-doubt, but everything changed when I met some incredible people who empowered me along the way. My boyfriend Dustin, in particular, deserves special recognition. Despite not being part of the creative community, Dustin has consistently shown interest and unwavering support for my projects. He takes the time to understand my world and offers help when I struggle. His positivity and strong work ethic keep me motivated, and with him by my side, I feel more confident, and my path seems much smoother.

Website: https://www.jklinart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jklin_art/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelynlin/