Huaixuan Xiang

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Huaixuan Xiang, and I also go by Chloe. I'm a painter and fantasy illustrator originally from China, now based in New York City.

My work explores dreams, childhood memories, emotions, and the unconscious mind. I've always been fascinated by how art can express feelings that are difficult to put into words. Through my paintings, I hope to explore the emotions hidden within our memories and discover how deeply personal experiences can resonate with others.

I'll always approach my art with curiosity and reflection, and let my intuition guide me along the artistic path I've always hoped to follow.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

I'm an independent artist. I work on fantasy illustration commissions, including book covers for publishers, game studios, and individual clients. I also create original paintings that I exhibit and sell through galleries and art fairs.

I've loved drawing since childhood. After moving to New York, I gradually turned that passion into a professional career. I've been working on illustration commissions for about four years, and since 2025, I've been dedicating more time to developing my personal painting practice.

For illustration projects, I enjoy bringing my clients' ideas and stories to life through my own visual interpretation. With my original paintings, it makes me incredibly happy whenever someone feels something, recalls a memory, and takes the time to share that experience with me. I believe art can help people reconnect with their inner worlds amid the busyness of modern life, and give them a moment to remember and feel. If my paintings can do that for someone, I feel I've succeeded as an artist.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Building a creative career takes time, and I've learned to stay patient and open to new possibilities while continuing to develop my own artistic voice.

When I develop an idea, I often ask myself: What can my work bring to other people? Can someone recognize a part of their own experience in it? I believe in staying true to ourselves and creating something unique, but I also think it's important to consider the people who encounter our work. There's something wonderful about turning a personal feeling into an experience that others can share. Understanding your audience and building that emotional connection can help your work reach more people.

Of course, learning the practical side of running a business is important too. Communicating with clients, managing projects, and presenting your work professionally are all things I've learned through experience, and I'm still learning every day.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest challenges has been learning to trust my own artistic voice.

During my graduate studies, I sometimes struggled with the expectation that illustrations should tell a clear story, while I was becoming more interested in expressing subtle emotions through painting. My work also gets very different reactions. Some people find it nostalgic and comforting, while others feel a little unsettled. I used to wonder if I should change my approach to appeal to more people.

But I've come to realize that everyone has different experiences, and those experiences shape how they see art. I can't expect everyone to love my work, so I choose to stay true to myself and be honest with my audience. I want to focus on the people who genuinely connect with my paintings.

Their love and support give me so much motivation to keep going. Sometimes it feels like countless invisible hands are gently pushing me forward on my artistic journey. And that feeling means the world to me.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I'd love to thank everyone who has supported me along the way.

Sometimes exhibiting my paintings and meeting people who connect with them feels like opening an amusement park built from my own world. I never know if the things I've created will attract visitors, make them happy, or leave them with wonderful memories. There's always a little uncertainty, but I'm also so excited and hopeful that someone will come and explore.

I'm truly grateful to everyone who chooses to visit this little park of mine, even if they've never heard of me before. Thank you for taking the time to understand my work and for opening your hearts to feel something through it. Every conversation and every memory you share brings more life into my world. It's you who make this amusement park feel alive, and I couldn't be more thankful.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

You can explore my paintings and illustration projects on my website at https://huaixuanxiang.com, and follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ch_oexs.

I regularly share new paintings, works in progress, and updates about upcoming exhibitions. I'd love to connect with more people who are interested in my work!