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 šĀ Currently I just left an office job and became an independent illustrator / visual artist based inĀ Taiwan. Apart from that, I also work in an independent bookshop which mainly imports pictureĀ books from Europe.
2. Tell us about your aesthetic.
āImperfection is perfect.ā Thatās one of the things I learnt from nature and I try to imply it on myĀ work. I donāt like too beautiful things because for me they are not ārealā in life, thus these workĀ cannot touch peopleās heart, well, at least for me. It still happens sometimes when I work, IĀ start to draw details so delicately that eventually thereās no ābreatheā in the work. If one accepts thoseĀ small accidental mistakes in the process, finally they would become something out of expectation.Ā 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, warmĀ and natural textures. Also they create lots of possibilities and Iām 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 workā¦ā¦ or walking and theseĀ sketches would be the resources for me. I prefer to be at the scene sketching ratherĀ than just sitting at desk and searching for pictures. Thatās the ideal case and I try to involve it everyĀ time. However, itās 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: theĀ seasons, the cities, the landscape, the culturesā¦ā¦
7. Where did you study?
I graduated from Fu Jen University, Taiwan, and after working for 2 years I studied illustration inĀ 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 probablyĀ find good agenc(ies)
9. What about in ten?
Draw happily. (so important!)
10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?
Iām 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 coffeeā¦..and probably all kinds ofĀ veggies I guess.
12. Favourite book?
The Life of Daisy (ć²ćŖčć®ā¼äŗŗā½£ē) by Banana Yoshimoto.Ā It has great influence on me and I still read it from time to time.
13. Favourite genre of music?
Itās very hard to choose one because I listen to many kinds of music!Ā Recently I listen to Dinah Washington, Johnny Hartman, Enno Cheng, Daniela Andrade, MaggieĀ Rogers, Ben Sollee, HONNE, Elephant Gymā¦.basically it depends on my mood and what IāmĀ doing so I would say thereās no specifically preference.Ā (And now Iām 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?
Hmmā¦..probably something related to language or literacy. But if without any practical concerns,Ā Iād like to be an Antarctica researcher and work for penguins.
