Night Tale Illustration

The core concept of this work is to construct a symbolically rich and emotionally resonant visual journey through the character of the “Strawberry Fish Girl.” She is the embodiment of my inner world, my alter ego. As a Pisces, the “fish” represents my imaginative, emotional, and fluid nature, while the “strawberry” symbolizes sweetness, softness, and a longing for healing. Whenever night falls and my mind begins to drift, this character naturally emerges.

The inspiration for this series comes from my personal growth, dreams, and deep self-reflection. Coming from a rational background in mathematics and transitioning into the pursuit of artistic freedom, I often found myself caught between logic and intuition, self-exploration and societal expectations. The Strawberry Fish Girl was born from this emotional state. Her journey is a surreal yet grounded path of self-discovery, filled with fantasy but tinged with the realities of life.

Nature is one of my most profound sources of inspiration. I’m deeply drawn to flowers, animals, and the emotional shifts brought by seasonal change. These elements frequently appear in my work, often carrying symbolic meaning: the peacock stands for inspiration and hope, the tiger represents pursuit and ambition, and the glowing dragonfly symbolizes guidance and the lightness of thought.

Through this series, I aim to explore the balance between fantasy and introspection, using visual language to capture emotions that are otherwise difficult to express. It serves both as my personal emotional diary and as a poetic response to the loneliness and longing for hope often felt by people living in modern cities.

My main focus was to authentically express the complexity of emotions through visual storytelling, particularly themes like getting lost in pursuit, fleeting hope, and the quiet companionship of oneself. I wanted this work to be more than just a dreamlike visual experience; I wanted it to evoke a psychological resonance, a gentle yet profound emotional connection that invites viewers to feel softness, vulnerability, curiosity, and resilience within themselves.

In terms of composition and character design, I aimed to use surreal imagery to give form to intangible emotions. Recurring animal symbols serve as psychological projections of the character: the tiger represents intense ambition and drive, yet the girl often loses her way in a maze-like landscape, symbolizing how we’re frequently derailed by external distractions in real life. The peacock, whose eyes sparkle with falling stars each night, represents creative inspiration and enduring hope. Glowing dragonflies, butterflies, and fireflies embody those small yet radiant moments of beauty we encounter in daily life.

Through the story of the Strawberry Fish Girl, I hope to inspire viewers to reconnect with their own inner world. Whether it’s young adults navigating life transitions or urban dwellers seeking a moment of stillness, I want them to find pieces of themselves within the series. For me, art is not about grand narratives. It’s about tender connection. It creates a space for pause and self-awareness, allowing people to momentarily step away from the noise of modern life and rediscover a sense of presence and emotional clarity.

I plan to develop the “Strawberry Fish Girl” into a continuously expanding visual storytelling project, including picture books, creative merchandise, and immersive exhibitions. In the future, I will illustrate her in various scenes, wearing different outfits to express a range of emotions and narratives. These designs will appear not only in standalone artworks but also in a variety of merchandise such as postcards, stickers, journals, tote bags, and art prints, creating a collectible, emotionally resonant product series.

At the same time, I hope to develop more “related characters” around the Strawberry Fish Girl, her companions, who may be other girls or animal figures with symbolic emotional and natural traits. Together, they will form a complete, gentle, and whimsical fantasy universe.