Wenjing Yang

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Conceptual

Editorial

Food & Drink

Medical

Colorful futuristic abstract geometric shapes and technology illustrations on cards

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Illustrations show how everyday metaphors shape how we see illness

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The impact of metaphors on disease perception and body image

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Bold colors, custom brushes: Wenjing digitally creates surreal visual worlds.

Between reality and fiction: Wenjing tells stories in vibrant colors.

Wenjing has a talent for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, using a brave selection of colours, blended with digital brush techniques that have come to define her unique style. In some of her works, energetic pinks, blues and greens give form to her creations – clashing but at the same time merging for a powerful, dynamic effect. Clients love Wenjing’s organised approach. When a brief is received, she sets a schedule and delivers sketches, colour drafts and final artwork according to the timeline, and exceeding expectations. Wenjing’s inspiration comes from speculative fiction including authors such as José Saramango and Kazuo Ishiguro. She studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York then achieved an MFA at the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Approach

Wenjing works primarily in Procreate and Photoshop. The custom brushes she has developed are integral to giving her work its unique look and feel.

Key software

Procreate and Adobe Photoshop.

Style

Wenjing’s surreal style is grounded in reality yet transcends it. With clear forms and high energy palettes, she crafts a story, a setting and an emotional state.

Languages

English and Chinese.

Impressions

Interview

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Interview

What led you to become an illustrator?I’ve always loved visual metaphors. As a child, I was fascinated by magazine illustrations—those clever images placed alongside text that subtly hinted at the article’s main idea. Sometimes, reading the pictures was more fun than reading the article itself. I found it incredibly satisfying to create visuals that not only told a story but also set the tone and mood from the first glance. I started drawing during my free time, and over the years, it naturally led me to pursue illustration more seriously.Did you study illustration in college?Yes, I hold a BFA degree in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts and an MFA degree in Illustration Practice from the Maryland Institute College of Art.Where did you grow up?I grew up in Xi’an, a historic city in Shaanxi Province, China.Can you remember when you first saw art used in a commercial context?I think it was on snack packaging—bags of puffed snacks that featured cartoon characters. Sometimes, they came with collectible cards of different characters, which now reminds me of early versions of blind boxes. That’s probably my first memory of commercial illustration.Where do you live now and what drew you there?I currently live in Journal Square, New Jersey, just across the river from Manhattan. After graduating from Baltimore, I moved here because I believe illustration thrives in a community. Being surrounded by fellow illustrators and professionals in related industries really fuels my practice. Also, I did my undergrad in New York, so many of my closest friends—my chosen family—are here. As a creative, being in a nurturing, supportive environment makes all the difference.Describe your studio for usI live in a one-bedroom apartment, and the living room has a designated work corner. I use a standing desk (a must-have for long work hours!) and the overall vibe is modern and chic. I’ve thoughtfully coordinated the colors—my work area is more serious, with a black desk and dark gray chair, and minimal decoration to help me stay focused. The lounge area, with its couch and TV, is brighter, with white and pale blue tones, and softer, rounder furniture. My favorite spot is a colorful display cabinet filled with small sculptures, gifts from friends, LEGO flowers, and a mix of vibrant jars and potteries. There’s a cheerful sun-face clock hanging on the side. That corner always lifts my mood.Do you have a studio pet?Yes! I have a seven-year-old Abyssinian cat named Mùtóu. She’s usually curled up on the bean bag next to me while I work.Who or What is your biggest inspiration?It changes from time to time, but one constant source of inspiration is literature—mainly fiction, but sometimes nonfiction or essays. The narrative structure in writing often sparks ideas for my visual storytelling. I’m also inspired by furniture design. I love arranging spaces, and in a way, my illustrations are like visual interiors. Lately, I’ve been really into the work of interior architect Richard Yasmine. His designs have definitely influenced how I think about shapes and objects.If you could collaborate with another artist or creative of any genre, living or dead, who would it be?I’d love to collaborate with Wang Wei, a poet from the late Tang dynasty in China. His work has always amazed me—he could write about the most ordinary things and make them feel profound. One of his lines, “Bright moonlight shines between the pines, and clear spring water flows over the stones”, is deceptively simple but leaves a lasting impression. It gives me chills every time I read it. I’d love to ask him how he turns the mundane into something timeless and extraordinary—something I also strive to achieve in my work.What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?I’d probably listen to a light-hearted romance audiobook while working on a jigsaw puzzle all day.What’s your most prized possession and why?Probably my nasal irrigator! I have pretty bad rhinitis, so I need to rinse my nose multiple times a day. Without it, I’d have trouble focusing on anything because of the discomfort. Do you collect anything? I collect butterfly and insect specimens, and sometimes I also make my own using protozoa. Most of my collection is still at my home in China.What do you listen to when you work?It really depends on my mood—it could be music, podcasts, or audiobooks. I like to keep it flexible.What’s your favourite podcast?It’s a Chinese podcast called “Shén liáo ba Bangní". The host is a screenwriter who shares thoughts on films and life—it’s casual but insightful.What is the first record you bought?“Longitude” by The Frames, an Irish rock band based in Dublin.Who is your art hero?Definitely Lisk Feng. She was my senior-year portfolio instructor at SVA and played a huge role in helping me find my visual voice. Honestly, I might not have entered the industry without her guidance.What is your favourite quote?“Chase it with trembling hands; challenge it with a reverent heart.”What movie can you watch over and over?Death Becomes Her, Poor Things, and pretty much any Disney animated film.What was the last exhibition you saw and loved?Camille Henrot’s “A number of things” at Hauser & Wirth in New York. Her work felt both playful and orderly—giant toy-like objects and sculptures of dogs made with metal and fur. The vibe was bizarrely cute, almost surreal. The curatorial design of the space made it a truly enjoyable viewing experience.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 deliver?I’d love to make a book centered on a sociology-related topic that interests me—like the subtle dynamics of girl-on-girl bullying, which I recently became interested in. It would be a blend of illustration and short stories. I wouldn’t spare any effort and money on the book’s design, materials, and overall form. I’d like to merge theme and format in a way that feels deeply intentional.Is there a type of job you haven’t done yet, but would love to do?A mural! I may not be the one physically painting it, but I’d love to design a site-specific illustration that fits into a public space. I’d be thrilled to have my work become part of a city’s landscape.

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