Meet Heather Hua | Illustrator

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

Hi Heather, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
Recently, I read “The Interpretation of Dreams.” Many of my artistic inspirations come from dreams and intuitive ideas. Sometimes, I may not know what each symbol in my illustrations signifies, but the feeling is right. Freud’s dream theory in “The Interpretation of Dreams” offered many interesting perspectives. It provided me with new ways to analyze my ideas and better shape my images when intuition is not reliable.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My artist statement is written as: “Influenced by literature, psychology, and shojo manga, Hua’s works explore and visualize themes of emotion, unconsciousness, dream, and romance. Her chubby characters, intuitive colors, and strong sense of atmosphere portray the despondent state, rebellious personality, and deep vitality of living people. Meanwhile, although the intention of creation is very emotional, there is also a subtle balance between sensibility and rationality, impulsivity and restraint in her art expression. Besides, Hua also paints joyful idyllic pastoral scenes to share precious inner peace with her audience. Her artworks usually combine traditional media with digital media.”

I think the most exciting part of my work is recreating the images and feelings in my mind. I first visualize a frame in my mind and then try to portray it. Although there are some differences, in other ways, certain feelings are expanded, and ultimately, it becomes a kind of expression that illustration can convey. I also enjoy the texture that comes from combining traditional and digital materials. I love the graininess of watercolor pieces, and the digital aspect adds an immersive quality to the artwork.

Also, I like to construct my artwork from a blurred first-person perspective, avoiding overly explicit symbols. I feel that this approach, rather than conveying a specific event or viewpoint, is more about drawing the viewer into an imaginative space.

To become an illustrator, I consistently practice and create. A significant milestone for me was being admitted to an MFA program. From there, everything else fell into place. While developing my art style, I still believe that having a solid foundation is crucial. Observing the world through an artist’s eyes helps enhance the images. Achieving completeness in art is my most challenging thing and it requires extensive experience and reflection. It is also a sign of artistic maturity.

I enjoy books like “Notes from Underground” and “No Longer Human” that delve into the inner worlds of atypical individuals. I hope to invite readers into my imaginative space to see some strange and eerie visions. I wish for my work to uncover hidden joys and pains, touching on aspects of the reader’s inner self to evoke feelings of being understood and empathized with.

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.
”LA has some big entertainment parks. I will probably go to Universal Studios and Six Flags to experience the thrill rides if my friend isn’t afraid.”

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my classmates from the MFA illustration program at FIT. We still keep in touch, encourage each other, and share resources as freelancers. Building an art career and expressing creativity is challenging. Freelancing can feel isolating, especially for an introvert like me. My close classmates are my connection to the industry, providing a network to exchange information and meet new people. Their support has been invaluable to me.

Website: https://www.heatherhua.art

Instagram: heatherhua_art