Artist in conversation: Rita Yuwei Li
Rita Yuwei Li is a visionary concept artist whose creative prowess knows no bounds. Her work transcends conventional boundaries, seamlessly blending cultures, mythologies, architecture, and the wonders of the natural world. Rita is an explorer of the mind, a dreamweaver who sculpts entire universes. Her passion for creating fantasy worlds is as infectious as it is captivating. With each stroke of her digital pen, she aspires to ignite the fires of curiosity in her audience, encouraging them to embrace the fantastical and the mysterious.
In Rita's worlds, the mundane is rendered extraordinary, and the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary. Her art serves as an invitation, a call to embark on a journey through landscapes both familiar and uncharted. It's an open invitation to peer into the limitless expanse of her imagination.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
As a concept artist in the game industry, I’ve been drawing from my imagination since childhood. Art and creativity have always been a part of my life, and games, movies, and animation were early influences. Growing up, I also developed a deep interest in nature and cultures worldwide. I love to read National Geographic magazine and documentaries. I then started to incorporate these influences into my art, creating my version of fantasy worlds and bringing my imagination to life on paper. This experience sparked my passion and inner curiosity, continuing to motivate me on my art journey.
I believe in the power of inspiration through entertainment media, such as movies and games that can resonate with audiences of all backgrounds.Concept art perfectly combines my curiosity and love for art and entertainment. In college, I majored in Entertainment Design where I learned technical skills of concept design. In my artistic process, I integrate 2D painting and 3D workflows to create high-quality concept art. My goal is to create artwork that not only entertains but also tells a compelling story and evokes emotions. I seek to inspire viewers and leave a lasting impression, guiding them on a visual journey filled with wonder and fascination.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
I explore various themes and motifs in my work, drawn to them by my curiosity about the world. I find inspiration from nature, history, mythologies, and innovative technology, expanding my horizons beyond art-related topics. Everything around me serves as a catalyst for my art.
In my concept art, I explore themes like the grand palaces of Mesopotamia, the mythologies of Hawaiian culture, research stations on the glaciers of Antarctica, and the futuristic city inspired by art nouveau and innovative architecture. By adding the real world elements, the design I create becomes more grounded and create stronger connections with the viewers. Working in video games, I strive to integrate real-world inspired designs to bring the game to life.
Can you share with us how your passion for creating fantasy worlds influences your approach to designing surreal environments and architecture?
I love various forms of entertainment media, particularly games, movies and animation.The ability to create something entirely new and unrestricted by real-world limitations attracts me. There are no limits to imagination, and this freedom in world-building, especially in fantasy realms, attracts me the most. My approach of designing surreal environments and culture is not purely based on imagination. I draw inspiration from the real world, establishing a connection between my concept art and the viewers. By extracting elements that resonate with me and exaggerating them, I infuse my concept art environments with a sense of wonder and intrigue.
How do you ensure that your art resonates with a wide audience while maintaining your unique artistic style and vision?
As a concept artist, meeting the audience's taste is essential. However, I also hold firm in my trust of my own taste and artistic values. In the entertainment industry, audiences seek surprises and fresh experiences, and cliché work won't captivate them for long. I believe while meeting the audience's expectations, I can still push the boundaries, and add my artistic vision into the work. To achieve this, I incorporate something new into familiar designs, offering a fresh and unique perspective. My goal is to ensure my work fits the medium while introducing innovative ideas that contribute to the industry.
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
The Guardian of Ur is a personal concept art project inspired by Mesopotamian culture. Within this project, I bring imaginative fantasy landscapes and architecture to life in the ancient city of Ur. The story revolves around a hero on a journey to save the city from an evil monster that has taken over the sacred tree.
The project posed challenges in both research and art techniques. I did in depth research on Mesopotamian history, architecture, and art of that period. Although I was creating a fantasy world based on Mesopotamia, I still wanted to stay true to real-world elements as much as possible. I designed the City of Ur and the Tree of Life, which have roots in the real world, along with more imaginative concepts like the treasure room and dragon island. The project employs both 2D and 3D workflows to capture an epic mood. Each artwork in this project conveys a sense of grand adventure. Through this artistic journey in the City of Ur, my goal is to ignite viewers' creativity and inspire them with the richness of ancient cultural heritage.
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
I am constantly learning and applying new techniques to my art, which keeps me up-to-date in the industry. I try out new softwares, plugins, and workflow, and see if they can improve my current workflow. In addition, I enjoy attending art conventions, panels, and workshops. Listening to the other industry professionals provides me lots of insight, and interacting with fellow artists in the entertainment industry is inspiring. Social media also allows me to connect with artists from all over the world.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
In game development, collaborating with other professionals and valuing their feedback is essential to me. I always want to find a balance between my artistic vision and other’s feedback. Respecting and considering critics' viewpoints, I aim to find a common space where my artistic intuition and their perspectives overlay. I try to preserve my artistic intuition while ensuring my work resonates with audiences.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
To stay motivated and inspired, I take time to step outside, whether it's going for a walk, exploring new places, or going on a trip to seek fresh inspiration and recharge. Taking breaks from work is crucial, especially since my creativity draws heavily from culture and nature.
During my travels, I take a lot of photographs as references and inspiration for my upcoming project. These journeys not only help me relax but also provide valuable insights into the history and natural environments of the places I visit. For example, my personal preojct “Mawae” was inspired by my trip to Hawaii Big Island. The mythologies of spiritual world, spiritual animals, and the diverse landscapes on Big Island played an important role in shaping that project.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I’m very horned to have my exhibit at the Holy Art Gallery Art on Loop New York along with so many talented artists. Based in the US, I’m happy to see that The Holy Art Gallery can have exhibitions outside Europe. I truly appreciate how the Holy Art Gallery offers opportunities and space for artists to showcase their work. I appreciate that The Holy Art Gallery provides these opportunities and space for artists to showcase their work.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
My long term goal is to continue to create concept art work in the entertainment industry. One day, I hope to develop my own IP in the form of a video game or animation. Seeing my work come to life in the game and receiving positive feedback from other artists is incredibly rewarding and drives me to push the boundaries of concept art. I will continue learning new techniques, expanding my knowledge and building a diverse visual library to create even more inspiring concept art.