Meet Peggy Yen | Illustrator & Occupational Therapist

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

Hi Peggy, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised in Taiwan. My families are sweet but also somehow strict, which is just like my illustrations, cute but also ironic. Also, I hold an Occupational Therapy B.S., which influences me and my work a lot. Drawing is one of my favorite occupations. The way I have tried to balance my repeating daily life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Daily life is a continuous inspiration for my creativity. It is just ironic and interesting, but also a little boring repeating enough to keep me drawing stuff.

My best sketch is mostly coming from unexpected times hanging out with lovely friends and family, as I am most relaxed and have little stress. But controversially I also hold some bitterness in life, to illustrate them visually, to tell how sad I am , how I miss them, and to keep them in my memory forever.

So, In my illustration, I am good at catching the mood rather than every detail. I love sketching randomly to keep the feeling, making somehow rough GIFs to catch more fun, and also uncontrolled watercolor painting makes more surprise to my work. Mine is loose with a sense of quirky vibe, in which you will always find interest and tenderness.

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.
First, we must spend half a day near the Baltimore Museum of Art, which is just a 15-minute walk from my place, and it’s gorgeous and surprisingly free to visit. There are plenty of Matisse’s paintings, and we can also see some Baltimore-based artists in contemporary ones. After the museum, we can go to Bird In Hand nearby, with good coffee and soup, and a spacious outdoor perfect sketch place,

Next, we can visit the Aquarian at Inner Harbor, my favorite biggest Patagonia store near, have gelato to see the sunset, and walk to Little Italy nearby to have cuisine.

Another great Museum in Baltimore, it must be the Walter Museum, which is more international, includes Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures, etc… They are good at curating exhibitions so I always feel most relaxed there. Also, we will visit the Mt. Vernon neighborhood after, having some food and drinks.

Also, we must take the MARC train to DC for a two-day trip, see the Portrait Museum, and bike there, enjoying the green, fresh air, and most organized streets in the U.S…And, the next day, we have to stroll in Georgetown, they have lovely and creative installations in shops, and of course have some sweet-sour Mexican food there as a happy ending.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My sister, Ann, is my biggest fan and supporter of my illustration and me. She gives me great advice, and smart tips, as she turns into a strict stubborn customer, to make sure more people get the humor of my work. Ann supports me everywhere from mentally to physically, which she indulges me in almost everything I like.
Aside from Ann, my other families are somehow more strict with me, but it’s fine and just right to avoid me going too wrong way, maybe.

Except for families, there are two friends, who don’t know each other at all. One is Kaiti from my grad school in the US, the other is Kelly from my college in Taiwan. Interestingly, they are both very interesting, support me, and give me a shoulder to rest when I need one. They are the most lovely, kind, and generous people I have met.

The last shoutout must come to Rebecca Bradley. She is the director of Illustration M.A. at Maryland Institute College of Art, who is our professor and best critic always. Rebecca gave us the most creative and interesting program, which of course I learned so many things about illustration, and somehow changed my attitude to this ever-changing world.

Website: https://artupeggy.square.site/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_u_peggy/?igsh=MXNmNTJ4anp0eTZjYQ%3D%3D

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-yen-a415a52b3/

Other: Cara: https://cara.app/artupegggggy

Image Credits
Peggy Yen