Meet Meina Zhang | Illustrator

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

Hi Meina, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I’m from Tianjin, China, and currently, I operate as a freelance illustrator rooted in New York. My artistic journey sprouted from the influence of my sisters. During my early years, I immersed myself in comic books alongside them, finding inspiration in their sketches.

Despite my lack of formal art education, my determination to follow this artistic calling remained steadfast. Consequently, during my undergraduate years, I chose to pursue architecture design at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. However, after a few years of academic exploration, I came to the realization that my heart truly belonged to drawing.

In pursuit of honing my craft, I made the decision to enroll in the MFA program at the Fashion Institute of Technology. This step allowed me to receive structured training in the art of illustration. The process of creating my own unique artwork has always intrigued me. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve delved into various styles and experimented with an array of materials.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey through the learning process has presented its share of challenges, which can be attributed to my less traditional academic background. Recognizing the vast expanse of knowledge yet to be acquired has at times stirred self-doubt within me. Nevertheless, my distinctive background has served as a wellspring of diverse perspectives and a constant source of inspiration for my artistic endeavors.

I approach the world of illustration with an eager curiosity, eager to explore its myriad manifestations. My aspiration is to continue advancing and evolving in my artistic journey.

In my daily artistic practice, I gravitate towards traditional mediums such as watercolors, crayons, and others. Following the creation of my pieces, I employ digital techniques by scanning and making further refinements on the computer. This amalgamation of traditional and digital methods allows me to harness the unique textures and sensations offered by traditional media while benefiting from the efficiency and flexibility that digital tools provide. It’s in this fusion that I find the perfect balance for my creative expression.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ll guide them through a tour of several vibrant markets in New York City. To me, the essence of New York’s allure resides in its boundless energy. Throughout the city, you’ll discover an array of unique markets, each possessing its own distinct character. There’s a little something to cater to every taste here.

In addition to these bustling markets, our itinerary will encompass essential visits to a variety of museums and art galleries, with standout attractions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). These cultural havens offer a glimpse into the artistic tapestry that defines the city.

Following our artistic exploration, we’ll take a leisurely afternoon stroll through the heart of the city’s green oasis, Central Park. This tranquil interlude amidst the urban bustle provides a refreshing taste of nature’s resplendence within the metropolis.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The first thing I want to thank is my family. When I proposed to change direction from architecture to illustration, they all encouraged me and provided a lot of help. So I choose the theme of my family to create ‘ The Stitches of Time’.

In my visual thesis, “Stitches of Time’, I further explored the practicality of mixed media. I created six embroidered artworks based on my family’s story, incorporating materials such as clay and wool felt. The artworks depict my parents leaving the countryside to seek a better life in the city, followed by the passing of my father. Despite that, my mother continued to raise my three sisters and me with great care. For the main characters in the artworks, I mainly used clay, while wool felt was used to create trees and flowers. I aimed to convey a rustic and warm atmosphere through my artwork.

To bring my family’s story to life, I use a range of materials and techniques, starting with dyeing the canvas with watercolor paints, serving as a vibrant and dynamic backdrop for the embroidery thread and wool felt. I carefully select and combine these materials to create a tactile, textured surface that reflects the complexity and depth of our family’s journey.

Website: https://meinazhang.com/

Instagram: nina_littlebell