Meet Lulu Qu | Artist & Art Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lulu Qu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lulu, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson that my business has taught me is to do something you truly love and you think you can keep the passion into it for a long time. I know it is difficult to find a life-time passionate thing and turns it to your business. But it is worthy to take time to think about it and do a lot of research before you get started. Because you will meet a lot of barriers and difficulties in your business, but if you truly love it and believe in it, you will not give up easily.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was trained in the traditional Chinese painting style and graduated from the master school at Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2014. I moved from Beijing to New York City to obtain my second master’s degree in Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology. After spending 4 years’ in New York, I relocated to San Diego in late 2018 to continue my focus on professional illustration and founded my LLC “LULU.LIVE ART” in 2019. My unique style comes from my background of Chinese painting, which I still use the same materials a lot for my current artworks. It was not too easy to be a professional artist. You need to believe in yourself and even need to do something else to support your passion. Also you should see clearly what is your strength that can be highlighted, and what is your weakness which you want to improve it or avoid it. Another lesson that I’ve learned is to value your art, which is not easy for beginners. A lot of people love artists to do free works for them, but you have to think if that’s worthy? Or you should value your talents and efforts, you can’t be a free artist.

I want the world to know that my art style comes from my traditional Chinese painting background and I don’t want to limit myself and explore the possibilities of combing different materials together. LULU.LIVE ART is not only an art studio that sells art prints and products on Etsy and some other stores, but also a lifestyle brand that telling stories and sharing love. I call my arts happy arts because I would love to show the positives and beautiful sides in the life through my art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a fun question, because I always welcome my friends and family to visit this beautiful city. And I will make a full plan for them to show and share the places and foods that I love. – First Day, I don’t want make them too tired. Having a relaxed day on the beach is a good idea. There are a lot of nice beaches in San Diego, my top choices are Pacific Beach, Del Mar Beach and Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. For food, a picnic on the beach sounds fun to me.

– Second Day, I will show them around Little Italy and Downtown San Diego. We can just walk around or we can ride bicycles. For food, Donut Bar’s donuts for breakfast, Morning Glory or Ironside Fish & Oyster for lunch, and Huntress for dinner and drinks.

– Third Day, it has to be La Jolla, which is always my favorite place. Walking along the cove, feeling the ocean and taking photos. Don’t forget to grab a gelato from Bobboi, and have lunch at George’s at the Cove.

– Fourth Day, I would love to show them some local Farmers Market. The farmers culture in San Diego inspires me a lot. I love the beautiful colors of fresh produces and also some cool products hand-made by creatives. Besides that, we have to check out Coronado Island, visiting the iconic Hotel Del Coronado and walk around the beach.

– Fifth Day, liberty station is good place to visit some art studios. The Liberty Public Market is pretty cool, they have good foods and drinks. But my favorite food spot in Liberty Station is Slater’s 50/50, and my favorite item there is the peanut butter jealousy burger with a scoop of ice cream.

– The last two days, I don’t want to bring my friends everywhere with me. They should feel like locals for the last two days. I will just suggest some places that they have to check out. For example, Old Town, Balboa Park and USS Midway are must visit places. And North Park and Normal Heights have good foods, drinks and live music. Some restaurants that I suggest are Puesto, Tacos El Gordo, Sushi Ota… For desserts and coffees are Bird Rock Coffee, Jaunt Coffee, Holy Paleta…

There are too many cool places in San Diego, people have to come back for more and more fun things.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The art school that I work at, US Arts Education Center definitely deserves a credit in my story. I am very lucky to be hired by them when I just moved in San Diego. Being a teacher means a lot to me, I love sharing my art skill and techniques with my students. And at the same time, my students inspire me a lot, they make me happy, make me think, and make me to explore more styles that I can expand my art world. Other than that, I would also love to mention ArtReach, which is an art education and mural program based in San Diego. I have been working with them to teach and paint murals. The purpose of the program is to let more youths and kids to know and engage with arts.

Website: https://lululiveart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qululululu/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lulu-qu-643a2ab8/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lulu.qu.12/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=Go2s3heT8nKklHlgUO3Bgw

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAX1QpTZ5M762VwDuzuM4FQ

Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LuluLiveArtStudio?ref=seller-platform-mcnav