Lulu Qu spent her childhood in Weihai, China, a vibrant city filled with carefree, playful moments. She earned a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Painting from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, and later completed a second master’s degree in Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Today, she resides in San Diego, a city that shares a similar spirit to her hometown, where she runs her own business dedicated to conveying an aesthetic of relaxed, joyful living through her art.

Lulu’s journey is a story of creativity, passion, and perseverance.

Lulu’s artistic path began as a "stopgap measure" by her mother: to channel her boundless energy, her mother enrolled her in art classes. "I started learning to draw when I was young because I was incredibly active and couldn't sit still," Lulu recalls. "My mom felt I needed to calm down and focus on something, since I was just so hyperactive, so she sent me to art lessons..." What began as a way to burn off energy and keep her out of mischief soon blossomed into a lifelong passion.

Although Lulu excelled in mathematics, she realized that a conventional, by-the-book career path was not the life she desired. Despite knowing the road ahead would be challenging, she chose to major in art at a university in China, specializing in traditional Chinese painting. Later, she traveled to New York to pursue a second degree, launching her career as a professional artist.

After earning her master's degree in New York, Lulu had yet to build a client base. She openly admits that, even today, finances can be tight for artists just starting out. It was her husband who provided the initial push, encouraging her to take the leap and start her own business.

Her husband also played a pivotal role in the sale of her first piece. During a gallery visit, the couple struck up a conversation with the gallery owner. Her husband suggested she show the owner photos of her work stored on her phone. Impressed by the exquisite paintings, the owner immediately invited her to hold a solo exhibition. This led to her first sale: a painting of a blue whale, purchased as a birthday gift for a young boy.

One of the most memorable moments in Lulu’s career involves the famous New York pizzeria, Joe’s Pizza. As part of her college senior project, Lulu created a painting of Joe’s Pizza and shared it online. The owner discovered her talent and reached out, expressing interest in purchasing one of the pieces.

As a gesture of goodwill, Lulu gifted the original painting directly to the owner. Impressed by her work, he immediately commissioned her to create a painting for each of the shop's twelve locations at the time. Nearly a decade later, the two maintain a strong professional relationship; recently, Joe’s Pizza even invited Lulu to Michigan to paint a mural.

Like many others, Lulu had to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she did not let this cause her anxiety. With the real estate market booming, Lulu found a golden opportunity. As people purchased artwork and decorative pieces for their new homes, the number of orders she received during the lockdown surged. "I received commissions for about 50 house portraits during that time, so I don't think that period was actually bad for artists," Lulu said. This marked the beginning of an expansion in her artistic career.

A major breakthrough in Lulu’s career came from a Broadway-themed painting, a piece that saw unexpectedly soaring sales. Although the original sold quickly, Lulu retained the reproduction and printing rights. Ultimately, over 1,000 copies of the painting were sold on Etsy.

For Lulu, artificial intelligence (AI) is no substitute for an artist. She is open about her use of AI, viewing it as a valuable partner in the creative process. Lulu uses ChatGPT to draft emails to clients, saving precious time, and asks AI for constructive feedback on her new works. "I feel AI has been a huge help to me," she says. Her superb craftsmanship and unique aesthetic style have remained unaffected by the rise of AI-generated art. Her work blends traditional Chinese painting styles with vibrant colors and her own personal experiences, leading clients to cherish the human spirit embodied in the art. Lulu firmly believes that her paintings cannot be replicated by machines and has no fear that AI will take away her livelihood. "Believe in yourself and do what you want to do. You never know what life has in store, so simply pursue what makes you feel confident and don't be afraid of the future."

Finally, Lulu has a message for young people currently studying art at university. Becoming a professional artist is no easy feat; especially right after graduation, it can be difficult to secure commissions or find work related to one's major. Many of her classmates supported their artistic dreams by taking on side jobs, only transitioning to full-time artists once they could sustain themselves through their art. If you truly love art and believe in your future as an artist, stay confident. Don't blindly follow paths laid out by others; instead, reflect on what you can do and the kind of person you want to become. There are many ways to become a professional artist, so there is no need for fear. Being young means you have plenty of time to explore and plan. "The future is full of infinite possibilities. When you see an opportunity that aligns with your heart's desire, go for it. Don't hesitate, don't be afraid, be fearless."

Author：Leon Chen