Meet Yun Yao | Illustrator/Designer

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

Hi Yun, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in China and have lived in the United States for the past seven years. I believe that the social and environmental circumstances, as well as my own experiences, have contributed to my current state as a result of my upbringing in China. I grew up with art as my best friend, and I was always exposed to various cultural traditions and artistic forms by the mentors I had as a youngster, all of which contributed to the formation of my artistic vocabulary.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After spending many hours practicing craftsmanship, I feel that a strong foundation can make you a good artist, but to become the desired version of yourself, you also need innovation and empathy. Innovation entails breaking past boundaries and permitting unexpected results to occur. Being aware of the environment around you is empathy. Many artists consider their works as a way to connect with others, and they may place a premium on their capacity to comprehend and relate to the experiences of others. I always find joy in creating and expressing myself via art, and my works reflect my desire to connect with others. Since I was a child, I’ve always known that I would pursue a creative career, although I was unaware of the variety of opportunities available. I attended art school and majored in illustration and interface design so that I can explore and express my passions with greater concentration and commitment.

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?
There are many fun and vibrant spots in San Francisco. I would take them to the mission district, this neighborhood is known for its vibrant street art scenes, and is home to many art shows, galleries and studios. They also have my favorite park in the city- Dolores park, which is also within walking distance away from many good restaurants, bakeries, and local coffee shops.

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?
I am currently reading Twenty-Eight Artists and Two Saints, a compilation of essays written by Joan Acocella for The New Yorker. In the pieces, the author discussed the tenacity of these great artists as a central theme. Despite repeated failures throughout their lives, these artists continue to create their own works of art. The writing about modern dance is quite engaging and introduced me to a topic with which I am unfamiliar.

Website: https://www.yunyaoim.com/

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