Quietly Knocking on the Heart's Door with Honest Illustrations

Illustrator Moonsub Shin

The works of artist Moonsub Shin, infused with happiness, memories, and sometimes pain from life experiences, evoke deep empathy in viewers. Through pure, childlike drawings and serene depictions of urban life, illustrator Moonsub Shin provides solace to hearts. Observing his works often brings a gentle smile to one's face.

Interview by Youngran Lee

Editor, Mom& I

Open a World of Possible, Digital Image, Scholastic 2015 Campaign 'Open a World of Possible' Poster Image

Mom& I  
Do you have any special reason that led you to become an artist? When did you start being interested in art?

Ever since childhood, I've loved drawing. My father, a fine arts teacher, greatly influenced me. Even from an early age, 'drawing' was a constant presence. During high school, I decided to become a cartoonist and shared this with my parents. I still remember the serious atmosphere of that conversation (laughs). They understood the challenging path ahead but respected and supported my decision. It wasn't until I moved to the U.S. that I considered becoming an illustrator. Initially, I aimed to be a character concept designer, but as I studied illustration, I found the genre increasingly appealing and adjusted my goals.

Reading under the Star, Web Image, Scholastic 2014 'Summer Reading Challenge' Campaign Image

Mom& I  
As an active illustrator, please introduce the fields you focus on and any representative works or exhibitions.

Currently, I am a novice illustrator, learning and gaining experience by trying various things. My most notable experience is illustrating for the campaign of Scholastic, a renowned children's book publisher. These illustrations centered around the theme of 'Children and Books'. Since last year, I've steadily worked on location drawing, which led to creating an illustration book for the 30th anniversary of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA). Recently, I held a solo exhibition titled 'Breathing Spot', featuring drawings of New York cafes. I plan to continue exploring location drawing for now.

Breathing Spot, 16"x10", 2017, Solo Exhibition 'Breathing Spot'

Moon's Diary - Adventure in Europe, 6"x6", 78 pages, 2016, A Self-Published Book Combining Diary and Illustration from a Month-Long Backpacking Journey

Mom& I  
Can you share about your work with Scholastic? Are you interested in creating children’s books yourself?

At Scholastic, they set a theme for each year's campaign. I worked on the 2015 campaign illustration 'Open a World of Possible.' I also created illustrations for the 'Summer Reading Challenge,' a school competitive reading campaign during the summer, as well as holiday card illustrations and small event art.

I love creating images with a focus on children, or more precisely, I enjoy cozy and warm imagery. However, it differs from children's books. Conversations with those creating children’s books have taught me that understanding children’s perspectives is crucial. While I currently have no plans to create a children’s book, as the field of illustration is one of continuous change and growth, I may consider it if I feel prepared someday.

Mom& I  
How different are the working environments for illustrators in the U.S. and Korea? What made you choose New York for your practice?

In conversations with illustrators in Korea, a noticeable difference is the limited scope and concepts of illustration compared to the U.S. Artist recognition also varies significantly. This is most evident when collaborating with clients, where the U.S. shows a broader appreciation for illustrators' creative elements, alongside fair remuneration. However, the illustration field in Korea is also rapidly progressing.

New York offers ample demand for illustration, various sources of inspiration, and opportunities to meet excellent peers, more so compared to other areas.

In any field, and especially in art, personal development is a lifelong pursuit. As someone who will draw for decades to come, I chose New York for its ability to enhance my growth, despite the challenges of high living costs. I believe it's worth the investment.

Mom& I  
These days, more youths aspire to be cartoonists than general artists. How would you describe the difference between an illustrator and a cartoonist?

A good analogy I've used is comparing comics to video and illustrations to photographs. While both aim to convey stories or themes through images, their expressive methods differ. Comics communicate through a sequence of time, whereas illustrations typically use one or two frames to convey a message. This difference leads to distinct learning paths for each field.

Mom& I  
Could you share advice for aspiring illustrators?

Illustration surrounds us in everyday life. Open a newspaper or magazine, and you'll find numerous illustrations. They're visible on posters and subway ads too. Observing how these images tell stories and convey messages is crucial. The variety of styles you'll encounter is vast, especially in New York, with resources like the 

Authors have unique storytelling methods, providing diverse learning opportunities. Don’t stress about finding your style—it emerges naturally over time. Forced creation can limit potential growth.

Scholastic Holiday Card, 5"x7", 2015 Scholastic Holiday Season Card Illustration

Ultimately, my work reflects my personal experiences—happiness, memories, pain, and sadness—embedded in the drawings. I’ve found when I resonate with my creations, they powerfully convey emotions to viewers. I am grateful for life, hoping this sentiment subtly reaches those who view my art.

Moreover, I wish to inspire fellow aspiring artists. Post-graduation livelihood concerns are common among artists, and I haven't entirely escaped them. Yet, recognizing that I'll be creating art for another four to five decades alleviates the hurry. The joy of painting daily and constant growth fuels my career as an illustrator. If my passion for art resonates and is conveyed through my illustrations, it would be tremendously rewarding.

Moonsub Shin

Graduating from the School of Visual Arts (SVA), Moonsub Shin is an illustrator working in New York. Arriving a decade ago for language studies, he was motivated to learn art, graduating in 2014, and has since engaged in diverse projects. Working with institutions like the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) and Scholastic, he collaborates across various illustration fields. He enjoys capturing diverse scenes of cities and nature in journals, often traveling to see new places and convey stories through art.