As a part of the Beat’s Coverage of Mocca, We’re Continuing to interview panelists, creators, talents, and alls of artists attending this year’s mocca fest for 2025. In This One, We Got The Chance To Speak With The Phenomenally Yuke li, Who Will Be at The Show Selling Her Artwork Along With The Graphic Novel Monster Survival Handbook.
Li is an Independent Storyteller and Cartoonist Who Has Been Tabla At Mocca for the Past Four Years. To Phenomenal Talent with aN Art Style That Naturally Flows On The Page, sHe’s Seen Her Work in Art Books, Galas, and Even On The Streets of New York and Boston.
Check Out these Gorgeous Preview Pages of the Monster Survival Handbook Along With Our Interview Below.
Christian Angeles: Thanks for Doing This! First off, let’s start with your story. WHHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT’S YOUR STYLE AND SPECIALTY IN WHAT YOU DO?
Yuke Li: I’M Yuke Li, A Chinese Storyteller and Illustrator Based in New York. I Simple But Meaningful Stories. I STARTED MAKING STORIES DURING MY MFA PROGRAM AT THE SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTIS.
My First Story, The Tiger in My Yard, is a picture book about a Stray Cat. I Enjoy Creating Stories About Animals Or Using Them As Main Characters Becouse Their Emots and reactions Feel More Direct and Genuine. I Always Hope My Audience Can Find an Emotional Connection in My Work.
After I graduated, I Began Telling Darker Or More Complicated Stories, But Overall Positive Stories. For neyntroveted person like me, it’s like ‘a drawing to Day Keeps The Doctor Away.’ MAKING PICTURES IS MY WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE WORLD AND HEALING MYSELF.
Angeles: That’s Amazing. I have Always Firmly Believed in the Power of Art in Healing. Alright, Next, What are You Promoting at Mocca This Year?
Li: This Year, I created New Story, Monster Survival Handbook, Graphic Novel About MySelf – Anxious Chinese Artist with to Chihuahua Living Inside – Trying to Navigate Life in New York. I Love All Dogs, But i Think A Chihuahua Represents Me Best Best It’s Small and Overly Protective.
My Anxiety was My First Inspiration. WHEN I First Arrived in New York, I was Anxious about School, The About Gaining Recognition, and Now About The Freelance Lifestyle. Even My Own Anxiety Makes Me Anxious. Over Time, I realized that Everyone Experiences Moments of Anxiety or Times When they lose their temperature – That’s When the Monster Inside Us Comes Out. I’M Still Learning to Understand and Accept Myelf While Figuring Out My Path. I Want to Share these stories, Specially With Those Who Also Have a Monster Living Inside Them.
After Six Years in New York City, I’ve Met People From All over The World. I’ve experienced many cultural conflicts, and i’ve Found that like-mindeds sand’s need necessary. I have to say, This City has inspired me the most.
AT First, I Considers Using A Limited Color Palette for Efficient, But Since I Tell Stories in a Diary-Like, Slice-Off-Life Style, I Wted to Bring More Warmth and Vibrancy To The Book. That’s How I Chose The Colors You See In It. The Main Character – Me’ – Has Pink Hair Because She is Subtimes Fragile, Subtims Control, and Even Turns into Chihuahua.
Angeles: Nice! Alright, Next, what do you Think you’re Most excited to see This Year?
Li: I’M excited to see work from new artists. I had the honor to be part of the mocca arts awards of Excellence in 2022, and I look forward to seeing stories from each year’s winners.
Angeles: That’s a Hug Honor. Next, Tell Me, What’s Your Favorite Thing About Mocca Fest?
Li: Every Year, I Discover Eithher Amazing Artwork or Intrigueling Stories at Mocca. It inspires me and makes me want to draw more.
Angeles: and Finally, Why do You Think Indie Comics So Important Right Now?
Li: Independent Cartoonists Create Unique Stories. Through Indie Comics, People Can Experience Different Perspectives and Hear Voices Outsis The mainstream. This is incredibly important beset the world should embrace diveity, and all voices defected to be heard and respect. Everyone has a story to tell – not the popular Most the Most Should Get Attention. Every Genuine Story deserts Moment To Shine.
Yuke Li Will Be at Mocca ’25 Selling Her Latest Works. She’ll Likewise Be at Table 59, Sharing A Space With Caitlin duso you can visit Them B. If you’d like to attend new york’s Mocca Fest 2025 Click Here.
