Jiarui Jiang is an illustrator and storyteller based in China

Jiarui Jiang is an illustrator and storyteller based in China. She graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with an MA in Illustration, and her work revolves around themes of nature, food, and more recently, beautiful insects.

She loves to create children’s books based on the world as she remembers it from her childhood perspective, also creating characters with a performance aspect. Recently she has been exploring the creation of books with materials other than paper, such as - a book with a cover made of clay.

We found Jiarui whilst looking at a longest for a well known competition, where she’d entered a piece for the children’s publishing category,  as featured above; 'A Book about Long, Long things.’

Here’s where we find out more…

When did you start illustrating?

I became an illustrator two years ago but I have been drawing random things since I was a child.

Who has been the most supportive in your illustration career, perhaps your teacher, family, friends?

My friends and my sister. And myself from the past. Every time when I needed a new story, that little girl always inspired me.

Did you always think art was something that was going to be a major part of your life?

I used to see art as a pastime, then I saw it as a job, and now art is more of a container for me. There are certainly more important things in life than art, and the important thing is to enjoy them. Art is just a special kind of box for collecting.

What is your favourite subject matter to illustrate?

Plants, animals, insects (especially beetles).

How would you describe your style?

Dotty and striped.

What interested you about being represented by Illo Agency?

As a freelance illustrator, sometimes you will felt lacked communication with other illustrators or practitioners in the industry. Being represented by Illo agency, I could come into contact with many illustrators with different styles, which was very exciting:.

Do you have a favourite author, film director, or designer?

Henri Rousseau, Krzysztof Kieślowski and Joan Miró.

Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?

I have 4-5 children's book stories that I want to move forward with and a short collection of clay books. I have just finished a mini book series and would like to continue the "Long long Story" series next.

If you’d like more info, please contact: [email protected]

At illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.