Meet the Artist
Qiutong
Lu
aka. Lu, Illustration
“"Extraordinary Encounters" is a series of lucky and unlucky events that challenge the idea of control over our lives. Through these stories, we can gain a new appreciation of predestination and chance, and gain a better sense of intuition”These illustrations are based on true-life stories I’ve collected from the people around me—family, friends, and colleagues—through open, communicative sharing. Each story captures a moment in someone’s life that was unexpected, filled with a sense of danger or confusion. In these moments, people experienced the destruction of what once felt secure, the breakdown of protection, and the presence of forces beyond their control or understanding.People entrust me with their life stories because, like me, they believe these extraordinary experiences are precious and unforgettable—a unique and meaningful part of their lives.With that in mind, I approached each illustration with different visual techniques but the same heartfelt enthusiasm. Through these works, I hope to re-present these moments in a new form—one that captures them as they truly were when they first unfolded.”
Hi! I’m Lu, a graduate from the Illustration program at OCAD. My professional focus is primarily on book and publication art, such as book illustrations and cover design. I also specialize in more precise and technical types of illustration, including scientific, handbook, and textbook illustration. Additionally, I have experience in commercial illustration, such as packaging and poster design.Throughout my time at university, professors from each year have especially praised my ability to tell stories and convey mood through the design and creation of illustrations. Deeply interested in art history, I’ve explored the various methods used by historical artists and movements to examine reality and transform it into art—a form of beauty. By applying the approaches I’ve studied, my work rarely misses the core essence of the moment it represents.Trained in both Western art and traditional Chinese art, I am capable of constructing imagined scenes that do not exist in the real world—visions that can only be created by confidently dropping down boundless yet harmonious lines, and by applying color arrangements that may not be full or saturated, but still express everything about the color and mood of the piece.For me, each line—whether it serves as an outline or for rendering—has its own place in the world I create on the canvas. I draw it with a movement that feels uniquely meant for it, as if each stroke belongs exactly where it lands.While keeping my art highly communicative and recognizable, I allow myself the freedom to drop down any lines and colors that feel right to be there. I find joy in the shape of every line and in each stage my artwork goes through. Creating illustration, for me, is not just a visual practice—it is a personal journey, a special exploration of myself.
Illustration Cover Design Package Illustration