Artist Interview: Xia
Small Moments, Lively Worlds, and Everyday Warmth: Inside Xia Qi Jiang’s Art
Written by SOONNESS / September 17, 2026 / Profile photo: Artist Xia Qi Jiang's Studio
There is something wonderfully familiar about the work of China-based illustrator Xia Qi Jiang. Friends gather over food, neighbors linger outside on summer evenings, markets buzz with conversation, and tiny stories unfold in every corner. Inspired by moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed, she creates colorful worlds that make ordinary life feel worth remembering.
For our collaborations, Summer Night and Jolly Market, Xia Qi Jiang brings that warmth into two very different gatherings—from the relaxed glow of a summer evening to the joyful bustle of a Christmas market. In this interview, she shares how she found her way to illustration, the small details that inspire her, and why she hopes her work can awaken our own gentle memories.
Early Life & Creative Beginnings
Can you tell us a little about your background? What made you first fall in love with drawing?
Of course. Although saying that I have loved drawing since childhood may sound a little cliché, I really did love drawing from a very young age. When I was little, you could always find my doodles on walls, cabinets, and all kinds of surfaces.
I didn't study art or anything related to professional drawing at university. Perhaps it was the repetition of working the same job day after day—and the fact that I didn't really love the work I was doing at the time—that made me pick up a pencil again. I had to support myself while learning how to draw at the same time.
I often pay attention to the people around me: the interactions between friends, the changing scenery of the four seasons, and ordinary people gathering together amid the lively atmosphere of everyday life. So many beautiful little moments disappear in an instant and can't be preserved forever. Drawing gives me a way to capture those fleeting feelings and keep them in an image.
Your illustrations often depict the beauty of everyday life. Have you always been drawn to this kind of subject?
I've always felt that the warm moments in life—sharing a meal together, visiting a lively market, or friends and family accompanying and helping one another—are things I want to record.
I once included a stray cat I had rescued in one of my illustrations. I really enjoy expressing these warm, ordinary moments from everyday life.
Artistic Process & Creative World
Your work is filled with rich details, lively characters, and many little stories. When you begin a new piece, what usually comes first—the setting, the characters, or the story?
I don't begin by creating a big, elaborate storyline. I usually start with a general idea and gradually develop the details of the image from there.
First, I decide what small event is happening between the characters. Then I design their expressions and movements and create a suitable environment around them. Even when an image appears quiet, I hope people can still sense the little emotions behind it. The characters and settings are both there to serve the emotions and small stories within the image.
Your work feels warm and full of life. What kinds of ordinary moments inspire you the most?
A lot of my inspiration comes from small, easily overlooked fragments of daily life. For example, the walk to school in the morning, friends passing snacks to one another, the lively atmosphere of the neighborhood in the evening, or a summer day touched by the breeze. Those ordinary moments that aren't deliberately beautified—relaxed, natural, and real—feel full of life to me. They make me want to bring that same softness into my illustrations.
Many people say they wish they could step inside your illustrations. When you create these worlds, do you imagine them as real places?
Of course. When I'm creating, I imagine these scenes as little worlds that truly exist. They don't necessarily have to be places that exist in real life, but with every illustration, I imagine the temperature within the scene, how the wind would feel, and even the subtle scents in the air—like the sweetness of desserts or the smell of an evening breeze.
The characters live freely within these spaces and have their own small everyday lives. Because I believe in these worlds first, I hope that people looking at my work will also want to step inside and stay for a little while.
You've described yourself as a "sunflower enthusiast." What do sunflowers mean to you? Are there other things in nature that often inspire you?
I used to be a very pessimistic person. I think I love sunflowers because they give me a sense of positivity. Sunflowers are always turning toward the sun, as though they're absorbing all of its positive energy. I really need that relaxed feeling of facing toward the light, and I hope my illustrations can also carry that kind of warmth and positivity. Because of sunflowers, I eventually grew to love everything yellow. Light and shadow in nature, flowers and plants, and the changing scenery of the seasons—these small but vibrant things are an endless source of inspiration for me.
Can you share your creative process with us? From the initial inspiration to the finished illustration, what steps do you usually go through?
I usually begin with a small story idea. I'll pick up my iPad and make a very rough sketch, establishing the characters' movements and the general setting. It doesn't matter if the drawing looks ugly at this stage—the important thing is capturing the idea that's in my head.
Then I revise the sketch again and again, adjust the composition, and work out the interactions between the characters so that the little story I want to tell comes through clearly. Once I'm happy with the sketch, I lay down the main colors and choose a palette that fits the atmosphere.
After that, I slowly add props and environmental details. Finally, I bring the lighting and colors together across the whole image. At the end, I look back at my original inspiration to make sure I haven't lost the feeling I wanted to capture. After the final adjustments, the piece is finished.
Behind the Scenes of Summer Night & Jolly Market
You've collaborated with many puzzle brands. Why do you think your illustrations work particularly well as puzzles? And what was your experience collaborating with SOONNESS?
I've worked with quite a few puzzle brands before, and I think my illustrations are well suited to puzzles mainly because they contain so many details, little characters, and small interactions, as well as many layers of color. As people put the puzzle together, they can gradually discover the little stories hidden within the image. That process of exploration is really part of the joy of puzzling. Most of my illustrations also depict warm, everyday moments, while puzzling itself is a relaxing and stress-relieving activity, so I feel the two naturally go well together.
My experience working with SOONNESS has been quite special. They really value the illustrator's ideas and don't try to change the original feeling of the artwork. At the same time, they offer suggestions that are genuinely helpful to the artist. The entire collaboration felt based on mutual respect, and the quality of the puzzle is also excellent. I'd like to thank SOONNESS for inviting me—it has been a wonderful experience.
Summer Night captures a peaceful evening filled with a bonfire, food, music, and a sense of community. What inspired this illustration?
The inspiration for Summer Night came from moments in everyday life.
In the summer nights I remember, friends and neighbors would gather together around a bonfire, share good food, listen to music, and casually chat. There was no dramatic story—just the simple act of being together. I wanted to capture that special feeling of a summer evening: lively yet relaxed, with the warmth of neighbors spending time together.
Jolly Market is filled with a joyful Christmas atmosphere and lots of little details to discover. What was your favorite part of creating this bustling Christmas market?
My favorite part was the choir. The whole market is filled with stalls and people coming and going, making everything feel lively and bustling. Then there's this little group standing together and singing, and I find that atmosphere especially moving. Around them is all the noise and activity of the market, while their singing seems to echo through it, as though everyone passing by can hear it. More than the food or gifts at the market stalls, it's this image of people gathering together and singing that captures what moves me most about Christmas.
Art, Life & Growth
How has your artistic style changed since you first became a professional illustrator?
At the beginning, I struggled a lot with technique. I always felt that my drawing wasn't good enough. Later, as my technical skills became more developed, I began to focus much more on storytelling. I hope that when people see my illustrations, they experience more than just beautiful colors. I want them to connect with the joy and tenderness found in ordinary daily life. That has been the biggest change in my journey as a professional illustrator.
Outside of drawing, what helps you relax, recharge, or find new inspiration?
Listening to music, playing mahjong, watching TV dramas and animation, cooking something delicious, traveling—or sometimes just getting some sleep.
Looking Ahead
Are there any creative projects you've always wanted to try but haven't had the opportunity to pursue yet?
I'd really love to hold a small exhibition overseas someday, so that more people can see my artwork in person.
Looking ten years into the future, what kind of artist do you hope to become? And what do you hope people will feel when they experience your work?
Ten years from now, I hope I will still have the same sensitivity toward everyday life, stay true to myself, and continue creating. I hope I can calmly and confidently bring to life all the different kinds of work I want to make. I hope viewers can find a moment of warmth within my illustrations, feel the tenderness hidden in ordinary life, and perhaps be reminded of their own gentle memories.
Image Credits
Images courtesy of Xia Qi Jiang