Meet visual artist and illustrator from Toronto, Genie Liang

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Genie Liang, I’m an independent artist living in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) in Canada. I really like the feeling of flight, so I make artwork with that levity in mind.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I moved around a few times and had the pleasure of living in Vancouver, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Toronto. Vancouver is a seaside place with lots of good-smelling cedar trees. The sky in San Francisco is very blue and the light gets golden in the windy afternoons. Midnight walks down Tokyo suburbs are wonderful. And Toronto has delicious food from all over the world.

I moved around a few times and had the pleasure of living in Vancouver, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Toronto. Vancouver is a seaside place with lots of good-smelling cedar trees. The sky in San Francisco is very blue and the light gets golden in the windy afternoons. Midnight walks down Tokyo suburbs are wonderful. And Toronto has delicious food from all over the world.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

Best: Toronto’s downtown neighborhoods are walkable for events.
Worst: Snowy winters and sweaty summers. One or the other, please :’) thank you.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

1. Dozy

2. Circle

3. Craft

How did you start your career in art?

I went full-time freelance after building up some savings working as a production artist and art director in mobile gaming.

I went full-time freelance after building up some savings working as a production artist and art director in mobile gaming.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Yes, my peers were supportive of my decision to leave the industry. My family was worried about the sudden change in career paths. They ended up being really supportive and helped me a lot after they saw I was committed to independent illustration.

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

Right now, my goal is to finish this slice-of-life graphic novel I’m making with an indie publisher. It’s about cats, work, and time travel; my favourite topics. It’s been a long project and I’m excited to finish it. My other ambitions are to have a solo show someday, publish an art book, paint a mural and collaborate with more artists.

Right now, my goal is to finish this slice-of-life graphic novel I’m making with an indie publisher. It’s about cats, work, and time travel; my favourite topics. It’s been a long project and I’m excited to finish it. My other ambitions are to have a solo show someday, publish an art book, paint a mural and collaborate with more artists.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

Anyone who likes a flying feeling.

What are the biggest challenges you face in working as a creative?

Being at peace with a drawing. So I try to remind myself that this is a lifetime kind of career. Slow down, have fun, make one good piece at a time.

The women around me were smart, daring, and kind. They have cool goals and dreams and generous with their time. I admired everyone’s independence and love for their interests.

How would you describe the women around you?

The women around me were smart, daring, and kind. They have cool goals and dreams and generous with their time. I admired everyone’s independence and love for their interests.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

During college, I looked up to a few 4th-year seniors in my freshmen year. I signed up to help them with scanning or coloring their thesis films.

Follow your interests with the subject matter. Put work you’d love to get commissioned for into a portfolio. Every artist is actively influencing the art world so we are all setting the future standards and trends. It might take a while to become self-sustaining as an independent illustrator but don’t give up.

Do you have any advice for other women who are aspiring to work in your field?

no2. Follow your interests with the subject matter. Put work you’d love to get commissioned for into a portfolio. Every artist is actively influencing the art world so we are all setting the future standards and trends. It might take a while to become self-sustaining as an independent illustrator but don’t give up.

no3. Make friends and help each other.

no4. Keep learning after graduating from school.

no5. Say no to clients that take advantage of people.

no1. Get good sleep.

What type of music do you like to listen to?

Minimalistic, ambient, leftfield pop, and some shoegaze.

What’s your favorite local food spot?

Baddies (Toronto)

Knight Zhang asks: What is something you struggle with as a creative that you don’t think is talked about enough in communities or online spaces?

I struggle with getting enough sleep and sometimes I wouldn’t see daylight for a few days at a time. Being a night owl or burning the midnight oil etc are phrases that refer to creative types working into the night for inspiration. Maybe due to this widely accepted typecast, a lot of creative communities don’t talk about it as much. I’ve noticed that getting enough rest is important for mental and physical health for my own practice, so it’s something I’d like other creatives to think critically about.

Soruru asks: What else would you like to do if you’re not working in the art field?

Archeology or performing music.

What question would you like us to ask the next artist?

What song makes you dance every time you listen to it?

Photos courtesy of Genie Liang