Instagram: @chiaisgood
Facebook: www.facebook.com/imnotcharming
Website: www.chiayinglin.com
1. What’s your story? Where are you from?
My name is Chia-Ying Lin but I prefer people call me Chia 🙂 Currently I just left an office job and became an independent illustrator / visual artist based in Taiwan. Apart from that, I also work in an independent bookshop which mainly imports picture books from Europe.
2. Tell us about your aesthetic.
“Imperfection is perfect.” That’s one of the things I learnt from nature and I try to imply it on my work. I don’t like too beautiful things because for me they are not “real” in life, thus these work cannot touch people’s heart, well, at least for me. It still happens sometimes when I work, I start to draw details so delicately that eventually there’s no “breathe” in the work. If one accepts those small accidental mistakes in the process, finally they would become something out of expectation. For me that is one of the most beautiful things:)
3. What is your favourite medium and why?
Pencils and gouache are the medium I use the most because they create gentle, humble, warm and natural textures. Also they create lots of possibilities and I’m still exploring more with them.
4. What is your artistic process like?
I do sketches in my daily life: in commune time, in cafe, at work…… or walking and these sketches would be the resources for me. I prefer to be at the scene sketching rather than just sitting at desk and searching for pictures. That’s the ideal case and I try to involve it every time. However, it’s not allowed in most projects.
5. Who and/or what inspires your work?
Definitely nature.
6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?
It has been a part of my life. It allows me to appreciate every little changes of the world: the seasons, the cities, the landscape, the cultures……
7. Where did you study?
I graduated from Fu Jen University, Taiwan, and after working for 2 years I studied illustration in Kingston University, London.
8. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Be able to live as a full-time illustrator, publish my own picture books by publishers and probably find good agenc(ies)
9. What about in ten?
Draw happily. (so important!)
10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?
I’m not making great arts but I hope to give people a sense of love and peace through my works.
11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?
It might sound boring but I love baked toast with olive oil and coffee…..and probably all kinds of veggies I guess.
12. Favourite book?
The Life of Daisy (ひな菊の⼈人⽣生) by Banana Yoshimoto. It has great influence on me and I still read it from time to time.
13. Favourite genre of music?
It’s very hard to choose one because I listen to many kinds of music! Recently I listen to Dinah Washington, Johnny Hartman, Enno Cheng, Daniela Andrade, Maggie Rogers, Ben Sollee, HONNE, Elephant Gym….basically it depends on my mood and what I’m doing so I would say there’s no specifically preference. (And now I’m listening to Andy Shauf whilst replying these questions.)
14. What are your hobbies?
Listening/playing music, singing, reading, hiking and traveling.
15. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
Hmm…..probably something related to language or literacy. But if without any practical concerns, I’d like to be an Antarctica researcher and work for penguins.
