Yekyung Kwon, an Advocate for Emotional Storytelling

Yekyung Kwon is an illustrator originally from South Korea and now based in Dallas, Texas. Her work begins with whimsical sketches and develops into vibrant digital paintings, layered with textures inspired by traditional printmaking. Rooted in personal stories, her illustrations are rich in emotion, warmth, and expressive use of colour.

Her work has been recognised with awards, including the Best of Ringling Gold Juror’s Award, and her picture book 상자아이 (The Box Child) was recently published in Korea by Noransangsang. Drawing inspiration from nostalgia, everyday life, and her experiences across cultures, Yekyung creates heartfelt imagery that emphasises empathy, storytelling, and human connection.

Let’s find out more about Yekyung, where she finds her inspiration, how her process works, and more:

What would you say is your best piece of work / collaboration to date, and why?

I consider my picture book The Box Child my best work so far. It’s based on my personal experiences, which inspired both the concept and the story. It was also my first published book, and I devoted a lot of time and heart to creating it, making it a truly meaningful project for me.

Where do you like to go to be inspired, or how do you find your inspiration?

I often find inspiration in familiar, nostalgic places rather than new ones. Visiting these spaces brings back forgotten emotions and memories, which often spark ideas for my illustrations. I also draw inspiration from everyday life, personal experiences, and observing people, using these moments to create relatable and emotionally engaging stories in my work.

Is there anything you'd say you would be a good advocate for? Please elaborate if so.

I think I’d be a strong advocate for emotional honesty and the beauty of everyday moments. My work is often inspired by personal experiences and my faith, and I hope to use my illustrations to encourage others, offer comfort, and help people feel seen and understood.

What would you say sets you apart from other illustrators? Something you feel is unique to you.

What sets me apart as an illustrator is the way I draw inspiration from my personal experiences to create work that feels honest and relatable. I strive to tell stories that evoke empathy and warmth, using bright, layered colours and rich textures. Although I work digitally, I love incorporating printmaking-like effects that give my illustrations a tactile, hand-printed quality — a distinctive element of my artistic style.

If you have done paid commissions prior to joining the agency, what would you say is something that clients repeatedly come to you for (up to now)?

I believe clients come back to me because of the storytelling in my illustrations. A beautiful image can capture attention for a moment, but a meaningful story stays with people and makes them return. I always try to create work that carries emotion and narrative, not just visual appeal.

How would you describe your style?

My work combines hand-drawn sketches with digital illustration to create bright, textured, print-like visuals. I draw inspiration from personal experiences, everyday emotions, and nostalgic places, aiming for a warm, relatable, and hopeful atmosphere in everything I create.

Please give a scenario of a project that would mean the world to you, if you were offered it - something that connects to something meaningful to you.

A dream project for me would be creating another picture book that expands on the themes of my first published book, 상자아이 (The Box Child). That project was deeply personal, inspired by my own childhood experiences and emotions. Being offered the opportunity to create a follow-up story — or a series that helps children feel seen, understood, and comforted — would mean the world to me. It would allow me to continue sharing hope, healing, and emotional honesty through storytelling and illustration.

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

I’m working on a picture book about a little bear living in a house with a large window. In the story, the window symbolizes the heart, and it follows what happens as the window shakes, cracks, and breaks through different experiences.

Finally, if you were to illustrate a book related to a real life person, who would that be?

I want to illustrate a book about my mom or grandma. Before becoming someone’s mom, she was once a lovely child herself. I want to portray her childhood, her sacrifices and love as a mother, and the beautiful, sacred cycle of love that connects it all.

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.