Wenting Li

There are several reasons but one of the deciding factors was that OCAD allowed me to enter my program as a transfer student, which is appealing as someone who'd already done two years of school elsewhere. The faculty in Illustration seemed really exciting too - I'd seen their work out in the world which was hopeful.

Please briefly describe your current job / practice.

Right now I work as a freelance illustrator doing mostly editorial projects - the first year I graduated this meant a lot of magazine and newspaper work though lately I've been doing most of my work for online (industry blogs, online articles and guides etc). I also do zine fairs and paint murals but these don't pay my rent the way illustration does.

How did you get started in your career?

While in school - and even before I got to art school, under the spell of listening to many illustration podcasts - I had a very clear idea of the career path I hoped to take. Being able to work as an illustrator right out of school really mattered to me. Though this isn't true of everyone nor is it necessarily the best way to approach school. With this idea, I started picking up freelance work while in school, going to AD talks and sending emails to art directors and bugging my teachers for advice.

Some instructors are really open and others can shy away from direct talk. One I had in particular while on exchange at RISD, Chris Buzelli, really jumpstarted my career by recommending me to the NYTimes op-ed (they have a column specifically illustrated by students - you should email them!) and introducing me to his wife and AD of the Plansponsor suite of magazines, SooJin Buzelli. This work changed the kinds of clients I was able to work for; from small jobs into work that I could support myself with (though I still did keep a retail job for a bit out of school).

What were your policies regarding internships, volunteering, and paid work?

I’ve never taken an internship, though one summer I had an intern through Sheridan’s mandatory illustration co-op program which I’m pretty ambivalent about. I think this is a case-by-case basis - if you are taking an unpaid internship for school, the hope is that what you’re getting from the work is knowledge about business practises, industry insight, mentorship, etc., that pays you back for your time.

Volunteering seems similar - your work and time are valuable and it’s great to give them to causes you believe in, but even charities have budgets. A worthwhile client who’s going to offer a good working relationship won’t ghost you at the question, “is there a budget?” Or even, “is there room in the budget”, for when you feel like paid work isn’t being compensated properly. Ask around if you’re not sure - often working illustrators you know will be willing to share rates and help you get fairly compensated.

What do you enjoy most about your work? What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

Right now, I most like the time I have where I’m ‘at work’ (in my studio) but when I steal time for my non-commercial personal projects. Doing things for myself reminds me of how much I love to draw; it’s a peculiar satisfaction. Sometimes after I’ve taken on enough work in a month to cover my living expenses, it’s a struggle between saying yes to more projects and taking time off to work on comics, or start a painting, or even keep a life so I have material to make art about. I have this unhelpful doomsday mindset of thinking every project will be the last one I ever get to work on so maybe working for myself and against myself and with myself is the hardest part. Also... every time I have to file my taxes.

What skills or relationships developed at OCAD U helped you participate in your field? Is there anything you would have done differently?

A community is really important after you graduate. My classmates are still a big inspiration - they are all doing the most interesting things and are the loveliest people. Graduating would be even weirder and lonelier without friends. Some of the instructors I was lucky to have classes with are also a great help - sometimes even just through throwaway comments or via feedback which still resonate with how I work today. I’m not sure what I’d have done differently - maybe explored more studio electives outside of just illustration offerings. Printmaking! Ceramics! Textiles! Illustration isn’t just 2d.

What are the key responsibilities you maintain for your practice?

I’d say: never missing a deadline, vigorous scheduling, hours lost to my email, and staying on top of tax stuff. And then, drawing, and not settling in for too long, and having enough snacks to last through a long day.

What are your personal and professional goals for the coming years?

Personally, I’d like to force myself to move somewhere else, but I’d also like to be more involved in the community I live in right now. I’d like to take more long walks or long bike rides or maybe long runs. Maybe I’ll find a plant I want to keep alive. Professionally … lots of drawing! It would be cool to think about gallery work, or a residency, or a zine fair outside of north america. Or it would also be cool to stay right here and try to contribute to the space I’m lucky to live in.