Meet LiQi Ten | Illustrator & Blogger

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

Hi LiQi, what principle do you value most?
Living in the present, you will experience the most peaceful moment ever. Most of us do not live in the current. Others only care about crossing out the daily checklist by the end of the day. If you are going through some madness in your life, try taking a break from the current situation by doing or eating something that will cheer you up. Go to a place that you will enjoy.

Meanwhile, enjoy the moment of what you are doing. Living in the present will help you focus on your current situation and clear your mind, not only will train your brain but also help us to notice something from a different point of view.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Malaysian Illustrator, currently based in Las Vegas, specializing in picture book illustration. I love creating vibrant, colorful, and happy drawings for everyone.

I love being in nature, and being inspired by it. I love to be part of them, feel them, and appreciate the beauty of nature. I get a lot of inspiration from it and my daily life. I enjoy telling stories of a world full of imagination.

After graduating from college, I finished a few client tasks and figured I need to enhance my skills. So I took a few classes online to learn more about colors and lights. I am lucky to live in a modern world because I get to access many resources online.

When I start drawing a character with different personalities and jobs, I need a lot of information to create them. For example, my first self-written book was about bakeries and beverages. Thus, I read books about food and drinks recipe. It helped a lot since I spend most of the time in my studio/bedroom. I love reading and putting different knowledge into my drawings. Also, the colors in my works usually have a meaning behind them.

I hope readers will enjoy my book, and it is likewise I enjoy writing and illustrating for them.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Other than Strip Las Vegas, there are plenty of places tourists can enjoy in Nevada and blend in with the locals. Places you can visit are downtown Summerlin and southwest Las Vegas valley. I will suggest those who love tea and boba, definitely try Brewteabar! I have rarely been to any other boba places since I had Brewteabar.

If you want to take a breath from walking on the Strip or in the Casino, you can always stop by the nearby mall to have a cup of coffee with some bakeries or shop in Caesar, Venetian or Fashion Show Mall. Parents with kids visiting Las Vegas also can spend their time at Discovery Children’s Museum.

If you are an outdoorsy, there are plenty of hiking trails at Gold Strike Hot Spring, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park, and Hoover Dam. You will explore and enjoy the hidden beauty of nature.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my husband, also my best friend who has been there with me over the years. Never put me down or discourage me, ever.

Thanks to my dad always encourage and show support for my dream since I was little.

Also, shout out to many of my artist friends and teachers that I met during my college years. Each of them is very lovely and supportive throughout my art journey. We inspired each other to get better in our art careers.

Website: https://fishbalarts.com/

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

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

Facebook: https://facebook.com/fishbalarts/