Hi! I'm Chia. :)
Before pursuing illustration, I was on a very different path. After graduating from college, I worked in international trade for a few years, following a stable and practical career. But deep down, I always knew that art was my true calling. Ever since I was a child, as long as I had a pen and paper, I would draw—it was the one thing that truly made me happy.
The moment that changed everything was when I watched Pixar’s Soul with my mom. The film’s themes of passion, dreams, and the protagonist’s relationship with his mother resonated deeply with me. I realized that if I didn’t take this chance to follow my dream, I might regret it forever. That’s when I made the bold decision to move to the U.S. and study illustration.
Now, I am an MFA student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, specializing in character and environment design. Living in San Francisco has been an eye-opening experience—its rich history, diverse communities, and ever-changing urban landscape have deeply influenced my storytelling.
I am currently working on an original story inspired by The Wizard of Oz, set in San Francisco across two time periods. The story follows a girl from 1906, who, after the devastating San Francisco earthquake, mysteriously travels through time to the modern-day city. As she navigates this unfamiliar world, she meets unlikely companions who help her uncover the truth about the past and present. Along the way, she explores the city’s most iconic locations, from Alcatraz Island and Fisherman’s Wharf to Union Square, while also encountering the harsh realities of homelessness, substance abuse, and social change—issues that shape the city today. Through this project, I am delving into themes of displacement, survival, and the search for "home", using visual storytelling to bridge history with contemporary struggles.
My goal is to craft immersive worlds and emotionally compelling characters that resonate with audiences, just like the films that inspired me. I hope to one day contribute to the storytelling magic of studios like Pixar or Disney, bringing meaningful stories to life through art.
If you'd like to collaborate or chat about art and storytelling, feel free to reach out!
