Jiatong Liu was born in China with a natural love for drawing that began in his early childhood. His teacher often described him as a quiet and shy child who could always be found with a pencil in hand, immersed in his drawings. However, as he entered high school, societal biases regarding students who pursued art began to affect his passion. Art was perceived as a choice made by those who struggled academically and were considered "not good enough" to pursue more traditional academic paths.
Under the weight of this stigma, Jiatong reluctantly abandoned his art and stopped drawing altogether. It wasn't until he entered university that his perspective began to shift. He encountered a group of people studying Illustration, and his curiosity was piqued. Determined to reignite his artistic flame, he embarked on a journey of self-study, choosing Illustration as his second major. Eventually, he realized he needed proper education and enrolled at Kingston University to formally study Illustration.
With unwavering dedication and an indomitable passion, Jiatong pursued his dreams, gradually developing his unique style and artistic voice. After completing his MA degree, he found himself in London, working as a freelance illustrator. His artwork primarily focuses on drawing people, particularly girls, and he has a penchant for the color blue. His works can best be described as dreamy, vibrant, and spiritual, each piece reflecting his distinctive artistic style.
Despite his reserved nature in reality, Jiatong yearns for his audience to experience the full force of his artistic expression. Through his illustrations, he aims to amplify his inner voice, seeking to captivate viewers and make them truly hear his loudest message.
Tips to fellow Artists:
Follow the passion and draw the things you want. I know it is so hard to draw as you want especially when you face financial pressure. You have to draw something that you dislike or not in your expertise to make a living. But keep pushing and develop the personal style when you have spare time. Developing a personal style needs time that is why so many people quit halfway. So passion and patience are the only two things important to me. You will find answers to other questions with these two qualities.
