Artist Interview: Rain
Brushed in Warmth, Filled with Stories: A Conversation with Rain Szeto
Written by SOONNESS / February 16, 2025 / Profile photo: a section of Cat Hours
We’re thrilled to introduce Rain Szeto, an artist whose work feels like stepping into a lively, story-filled world.
With a keen eye for detail and a distinctive style that blends warmth with nostalgia, Rain brings everyday moments to life in a way that invites exploration. Her art is filled with hidden gems- cozy interiors, bustling streets, and characters that spark curiosity. In our interview, Rain shares insights into her creative journey, what fuels her artistic vision, and how it feels to see her work transformed into puzzles.
Early Inspirations
Can you tell us a little about where you grew up and how your surroundings shaped your artistic vision?
I was born and raised in San Francisco, and would often visit family in Hong Kong and China. I always loved seeing the clutter that accumulates as people live their daily lives, and how their surroundings take on a lived-in character of their own.
Photo above: Hong Kong- photo by Gigi
What’s your earliest memory of drawing? Was there a specific moment when you realized art was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
I’ve always been drawing since I was a kid. My parents still have my childhood drawings on the refrigerator, though the paper’s all yellowed now! I always wanted to pursue art as a living, but I finally firmly decided to do so when it was time to graduate high school and I realized I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else.
Artistic Process & Style
Your work often features warm, cozy, and bustling environments- like a slice of someone’s daily life. How do you research and gather references for these detailed environments?
I like to observe how people arrange the spaces around them – a specific chair they might use, or how they arrange plants around their front door. I also like to imagine, if I were in this scene, what would make sense to fill this spot? Observing these details from real life, whether in person or online, helps give the scene a level of specificity that makes it feel like it could really exist.
Your art is known for being incredibly detailed, yet your canvas size is often quite small. What draws you to working at this scale? Have you always had this approach to art, or did it develop over time?
I’ve always drawn at this scale. As my natural drawing size, it’s actually more difficult for me to draw larger! I also like how the small size makes the viewer physically look closer, and it becomes more of a one-on-one exchange between viewer and artwork.
Photo above: Behind the scenes of artist Rain Szeto's work
If you could step into one of your own illustrations for a day, which one would you pick and why?
Probably “Cat Hours”, and not just because it’s the artwork for this puzzle. I love the idea of a restaurant that caters to cats!
Creative Communities & Inspirations
What inspires you to keep creating, and what is your happiest moment in the process?
Every piece is a struggle, but that effort is what makes it meaningful. When I finish a piece, even if it’s not how I envisioned it to be, I feel a certain fulfillment that I tried my best and managed to create something.
Through various exhibitions and exposure on social media, what feedback has been most impactful to you?
I’m happy when people tell me that seeing my work makes their day better. Although I’m not good at communicating with others, I hope that I can create something that resonates with other people.
Did you have any unexpected or funny reactions someone has had to your work?
Several different people have mentioned, all independently of each other, that my work reminds them of the “I Spy” hidden-object game books.
Collaboration with SOONNESS & Puzzles
When SOONNESS approached you about turning your art into puzzles, what was your first thought? Had you ever considered seeing your work in this format before?
Because my original pieces are small scale, I was concerned that scaling it so much larger wouldn’t work well. Thankfully Soonness proved me wrong!
Many puzzlers will spend hours assembling your pieces in "Cantaloop" and "Cat Hours" puzzles- what do you hope they feel or experience during the process?
My process when making these works is a bit like assembling a puzzle – I’m always thinking about how I can fill this space, what makes sense to go here, etc. I hope that while putting these puzzles together, they can experience some of that same joy of construction, and maybe notice some details that are otherwise easily missed!
Photos above: Cantaloop (left) and Cat Hours (right) 1000 piece puzzle with SOONNESS. Cantaloop puzzle close up (bottom)
Moving Forward
What’s a dream project or artistic experiment you’d love to try but haven’t had the chance to yet?
I would love to make an illustration zine completely printed with risograph. I’d also love to make a woodblock print!
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or historical, on an illustration, who would it be, and what would you create together?
I think I would be far too nervous of disappointing them! I’m content to admire from afar. Working by myself I only have my own expectations to live up to.
Do you have any other passions aside from drawing/painting, or a hobby and activity you enjoy or want to try?
Recently I’ve been getting back into video games (turn-based RPGs). I also like binding my own sketchbooks, though I don’t get to do it often since I go through sketchbooks slowly. I’ve also been wanting to try 3d-printing!
Photos above: Summer Waves (top), Sunday Homework (middle), Fish Market (bottom) by Rain Szeto