Jiayun Xu

Artist Statement

I am Jiayun Xu, an illustrator from Shanghai, China. Growing up, my grandparents encouraged my artistic passions using oil pastels and watercolor paints. My grandmother, who used knitting needles and colored yarn to create a legacy of love, inspired my graduate thesis work. I feared forgetting her and wanted to use my art to remember her love and our moments together. While exploring death and forgetfulness, I use soft color tones and warm hues to convey hope and healing, not fear. I hope my illustrations, which are infused with my life's memories, can connect with readers on a deeply emotional level and heal them.

Bio

Jiayun Xu is a children's book illustrator with a passion for storytelling and a distinctive style characterized by gentle and soft color palettes. Inspired by her favorite book, The Little Prince, she aims to create a healing world for not only kids but also adults through her art.