Cara Wang

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Black & White

Children

People

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Showcases an expansive Chinese countryside wedding scene

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Collage sketch of people on the streets of Guangzhou

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Cara’s inspiration comes from a fascinating source. Growing up in Guangzhou, China, her grandmother used to take her to the countryside to honour their ancestors. Where her grandmother once worked the salt fields, Cara saw bright patterns across the landscape, with oxen-drawn ploughs and farmers in clothes splodged with dirt and salt. This gave Cara her earliest notions of mark making and the idea of transporting viewers to different worlds. The beauty of this story continues in illustrations imbued with sensory elements – mainly evoked through Cara’s unique application of texture and pattern. The motion of cars and people, the scents and sounds of the city, and the candy-coloured clothing of New Yorkers today give Cara further inspiration, following the completion of her BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Approach

Cara collects the textures of everyday life, from a grandmother’s dress to crumpled paper to trees and flowers. She sketches in Procreate, then works in pencil on paper, adding colour and texture in Photoshop to finish the image.

Key software

Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign.

Style

Naïve, authentic and full of nuance, Cara’s work connects us to the real world in unexpected ways. Full of detail and hidden meaning, her dramatic compositions range from the conventional to the unexpected.

Languages

English, Mandarin, Cantonese.

Impressions

Interview

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Interview

What led you to become an illustrator? I love illustration because drawing has been my favorite thing to do since I was a child. For me, drawing is the most healing and comforting activity—I draw when I’m happy, and I draw when I’m feeling down. Through my illustrations, I create a world of my own. In China, many adults tell children that art has no future, that only kids who struggle academically pursue it. But my mom was different. She loved collecting art books, indie graphic novels, and handmade crafts. Because of her influence, I was introduced to the world of illustration and the profession of illustrators. I was thrilled to discover that I could actually make a living through drawing. From that moment on, in elementary school, I made a promise to myself—I would grow up to become an illustrator. Did you study illustration in college? I studied illustration in Rhode Island School of Design. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Guangzhou, China. When I was 14 I went to Virginia, the US for high school. Do you have a childhood memory relating to art that you hold dear? I grew up in a rainy, near-sea city, nurtured by the stories told by my grandma. Once, she told me the story of her mother, a salt worker who raised my grandma and provided her with education by carrying baskets of salt on her shoulder and transporting them from the salt field to ships and trucks. When I was little, my grandma would take my sister and me back to her village to worship the graves of our ancestors. As we climbed to the very top of the hill where the graves were located, we could see the entire village. In my eyes, the squares of salt fields and the moving spots of salt workers formed a vibrant pattern of country art. The farmers and their oxen plowed through the field, getting dirt and water onto themselves, leaving marks that formed paths: this was my first knowledge about mark-making and graphic art. Can you remember when you first saw art used in a commercial context? The first time I encountered commercial art was through a comic story by Japanese illustrator Naoko Takagi, in which she portrayed herself as an illustrator in Tokyo, working hard to build her career on her own! Where do you live now and what drew you there? I live in New York City. If you ask me why I love it here, it’s because, as an extrovert person, there are endless opportunities and a diverse mix of people. For example, when I was craving my hometown’s scallion oil chicken, I went to a Chinese restaurant and sketched the place while eating. The owner liked my drawing, and later, when they were renovating their new store, the couple asked me to create a mural for it. Another time, I went to a local print shop to print one of my artworks, and a woman there loved it so much that she introduced me to a friend who wanted me to teach her child how to draw. New York City is a place where you meet people, and dreams really do come true. Describe your studio for us I live in New York City, and my studio is in my apartment, which I share with my partner. I try to keep my workspace as practical and accessible as possible—a chair and desk, a laptop, a printer, a light board, pencils, and paper—that’s all I need to complete my studio. Every morning, I start my day with a cup of coffee and a simple breakfast before settling into work. I enjoy taking breaks—whether it’s a walk to the nearby grocery store, a spontaneous visit to a museum, or hopping on the subway to sketch in a neighborhood that catches my eye. In that sense, my studio isn’t just my apartment—it’s all of New York City!Who or What is your biggest inspiration? My inspiration comes from the little moments of everyday life, as well as literature and film. I’m drawn to the ordinary—vibrant produce at the market, the clothing of elderly folks, colorful advertisements, even a pile of trash in a neighborhood—all of these can become elements in my illustrations. I also love wandering the streets, striking up conversations with strangers, and listening to their stories. I truly cherish these details and narratives, but more than that, I hope to share them with the world through my illustrations. What’s your favourite way to spend a day off? I’d start the day with brunch at a spot where my partner and I can sit outside, enjoying our meal while people-watching. After that, we’d stop by a farmers' market to pick up fresh ingredients for dinner, letting the menu come together as we shop. In the afternoon, we’d spend time in nature—golfing, hiking, or swimming in the sea, anywhere that allows us to soak in the outdoors. Then, we’d head home and cook the meal we planned in the morning. One of our favorites is pork rib stew with eggplant and green beans, a classic northern Chinese dish. While the stew simmers on the stove, we’d pour some wine, chat, and get lost in books that transport us to faraway places. Is there any random thing you consider yourself an expert on/any hidden talents? I’m an expert in cooking and eating chicken! Water boiled chicken with scallion and ginger dip is a dish traditional to my hometown, and I grew up eating this dish all the time. I was raised to determine if a chicken lived and cooked perfectly! If you could only eat one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be? It would be a steamed rice roll, a traditional Cantonese food made of rice with vegetables or meat stuffed inside. I love to eat it with pickled red chilli and sweet soy sauce. What was your favourite assignment ever? My favorite assignment is creating a mural for a restaurant! I love meeting different people through my illustration work, and I find that cooking and illustrating share a lot in common—they both involve creativity, layering, and a deep appreciation for details. As someone passionate about food, this project was especially enjoyable for me. Plus, every time I went there to work, they treated me to a Hong Kong-style coffee, which made the experience even more special! If a client paid you enough money to take a year off and create whatever you want – an open brief - no constraints - what would you create? I would love to create a large, site-specific piece. There’s a cave in the northwestern desert of China where, throughout history, monks have gone to dig out their own space, meditate, and create artwork on the walls. It’s one of the most fascinating sites I’ve ever encountered. Inspired by this practice, if I had the opportunity to dedicate a long period of time to a project, I’d love to immerse myself in a remote village (anywhere in the world)—studying the rhythms of life and work there—becoming the lone artist (or weirdo) who leaves behind a series of murals that spark curiosity and intrigue among the people. Is there a type of job you haven't done yet, but would love to do? I want to design a menu or any food package illustration! If you were not an illustrator, what would you be? I think I would be a barista. I always dream of opening a little cafe, making drinks for people and selling pottery I collect from around the world. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Everyone has a unique story that exists in each one of our hearts, and that is what makes us unique and loved for just being who we are.

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