Yadi Liu is a talented visual artist known for her bold, colorful, and fluid abstract work. Originally from China and now based in New York, she has worked with big brands like Apple, Nike, and Vogue while also developing her creative voice.

In this interview, Yadi talks about what inspires her—the emotions, curves, and colors that shape her art. She shares how she balances personal projects with commercial work, the way different art tools like pastels and digital media influence her style, and how her cultural background plays a big role in what she creates. She also advises young artists and opens up about the most rewarding part of her journey so far—combining her love for art with yoga. Through her words, we get to see not just the artist behind the work, but the deeper meaning she pours into every piece she creates.

Yadi Liu is an award-winning visual artist based in New York City, originally from China. Known for her dynamic abstract style, Yadi’s work combines fluid shapes, vibrant colors, and the exploration of emotions and identity. She has gained recognition for her innovative digital illustrations, collaborating with major brands such as Apple, Nike, Adobe, The New York Times, and VOGUE. With a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Yadi has received accolades including a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators and a Silver Medal at the MoCCA Arts Festival.

Over the past year, Yadi has expanded her practice to include oil painting and soft pastels, bridging the gap between her commercial illustration work and fine art. This transition allows her to explore the tactile, physical nature of materials while continuing to explore themes of human emotion, identity, and the natural world. Through her work, she aims to transcend cultural boundaries and engage with universal questions of existence, offering a space for emotional resonance and introspection.

1. Your work beautifully explores emotions, curves, and colors. What draws you to these elements, and how do they shape your creative voice?  

Emotions, curves, and colors are essential to my work because they form the foundation of my artistic exploration— the beauty of the human body. Much like nature, the human form consists of organic curves and rhythmic variations. Curves represent movement and shape, while colors embody energy. At its core, my work revolves around the idea that humanity and nature are not separate entities but an inseparable whole. This belief shapes my visual approach—I use gradients and fluid transitions to dissolve boundaries, allowing forms to merge seamlessly. The curves in my work are merely the surface; beneath them lies a deeper exploration of energy and harmony, inspired by Eastern philosophies of oneness between man and nature.

The curves in my work are merely the surface; beneath them lies a deeper exploration of energy and harmony, inspired by Eastern philosophies of oneness between man and nature.

Yadi Liu

2.   You’ve worked with major brands like Apple, Nike, and Vogue. How do you balance personal creative expression with commercial projects?

Unlike personal projects, commercial work requires me to think about how my artistic voice can best amplify and complement a brand’s identity. Each project brief presents an opportunity to explore new thematic directions while remaining true to my aesthetic language. I approach commercial projects with the same dedication as my creations but with a heightened awareness of how to integrate my vision with a brand’s messaging. Ultimately, both personal and commercial work are part of my creative expression—the difference lies in the intent and framework rather than the artistic integrity itself.

3.    You’re skilled in both pastels and digital media. How do these mediums influence your creative process and the stories you tell through your art?  

For me, pastels and digital media are not separate disciplines but complementary tools that inform and enhance each other. I love the precision and control digital tools provide, allowing me to focus entirely on composition and color dynamics. My affinity for clean, exaggerated curves in pastels stems from my digital practice, where vector tools influence my approach to form. Conversely, the way pastels naturally blend and create soft transitions has impacted how I approach digital gradients, incorporating a more organic, painterly feel. Switching between these mediums is an ongoing dialogue—I don’t see them as different techniques, but rather as extensions of the same creative pursuit, each offering insights that enrich the other.

4.  You’ve given talks at top art schools like Pratt and SVA. What’s one piece of advice you always share with emerging artists?   

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that inspiration can come from anything and anyone, as long as you remain open to it. I constantly remind myself to approach every situation—even challenges—with gratitude, because every experience has the potential to teach me something. When you shift your perspective, even the most difficult moments can become sources of insight and growth. This mindset doesn’t just apply to life but is also an essential part of the creative process. Embrace everything, because all of it feeds your art.

Inspiration can come from anything and anyone, as long as you remain open to it.

Yadi Liu

5. Your art has been showcased worldwide, from New York to Berlin to Shanghai. How has your cultural background influenced your work?  

My work is deeply shaped by both Eastern and Western influences, much like my personality. Externally, I am expressive and bold, embodying the energy of Western aesthetics—my compositions are dynamic, filled with interwoven curves and vibrant colors. But internally, I am quiet and introspective, drawn to the philosophy of balance and harmony. Eastern thought—particularly the concept of interconnectedness between humans and nature—forms the foundation of my work, though it often lies beneath the surface of my complex compositions. In a way, both my art and my identity are a cultural fusion, constantly in dialogue between movement and stillness, intensity and serenity.

6.  You’ve built an incredible career. What’s been the most rewarding moment of your journey so far?  

I once thought winning the Gold Medal in the Society of Illustrators was my most rewarding moment, but in hindsight, I believe what I’m working on now—Armat—is even more fulfilling. Armat is an artistic exploration of the intersection between yoga and art. For years, I felt a disconnect between my sensual, fluid artistic style and my deep love for meditative, Zen-inspired concepts. But recently, I had a realization—these elements are not opposing forces; they can coexist. Yoga art has allowed me to merge these worlds, integrating the philosophy of oneness, the harmony of nature, and the beauty of the human form into a unified expression. It has given me a new way to explore the curves of the body not just as sensual forms, but as representations of energy and movement. This, to me, is the most rewarding experience—when all the things I love converge into something greater than the sum of their parts.

Yadi Liu’s journey shows how art can be a way to express emotions, explore identity, and connect with people. Whether she’s working on a personal painting or a big brand project, she stays true to her vision. Her story is a great reminder to follow your passion, embrace change, and trust the creative process. To learn more about Yadi, click the following links to visit her profile.

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