Art is the spark that empowers self-expression. And when artists have innovative tools, they’re empowered to tell innovative stories. That's why Wacom's Holiday campaign for 2025 is called "Spark Someone's Story." We believe that a gift of a Wacom drawing tablet, display, or all-in-one portable pad this Holiday season can ignite your loved ones' creativity.
To help bring this idea to life, we reached out to illustrator and motion graphic artist Weitong Mai. Her beautiful work brings together an incredibly soft touch, influences from her Chinese heritage and traditional painting background, meticulous layering and blending, and a masterful command of color. She created the artwork featured above, on the Wacom Community Holiday site, Wacom.com, and on the Wacom eStore. We spoke to her about her work, what inspired the Holiday illustration, why she's passionate about building connections between East and West, and advice she has for young artists. Note: the interview below has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Your parents supported your pursuit of art from a young age, but you originally thought it would just be a hobby while you worked a “real job.” Then you started getting freelance illustration jobs in college. When did you know art was going to be your “real job?”
I started receiving illustration commissions while I was still in college, and after graduation, I was lucky enough to land a job as an illustrator. The more projects I worked on, the more confidence I gained in pursuing illustration as a full-time career. Each new client often came through a reference to my previous work, which made me feel truly trusted and encouraged. Over time, that trust helped me realize I could build a career that reflects my own voice and artistic vision.
Your work has a very soft, painterly quality, as though it were created with pencil and very light brushwork, and often features multiple layers of depth and transparency. How did you come to develop your style?
I’ve always been excited about creating my own brushes and experimenting with different textures. I love the process of gradually adding shading and texture layers to my work – it allows the illustration to build up slowly and feel more natural and subtle. That layered approach gives me space to explore depth and softness, which has naturally become part of my visual language over time.
You’ve shared that Taiwanese-American artist James Jean was one of your early inspirations. What is it about his work that inspires you?
I’ve always loved the way James Jean builds his own imaginative worlds – combining different elements, patterns, and decorative details into something completely unique. I first discovered one of his books in my high school library, and it completely opened my eyes to what illustration could be. That moment really inspired me to explore visual storytelling and made me want to become an illustrator in the future.
You’ve talked about how Chinese traditions inform your work. You even helped create Caper Illustration, which connects Chinese artists to Western clients. Why is the connection to China so important to your work and your career? How do you think the Western art world would benefit if it built a deeper connection to the East?
The reason I helped build Caper Illustration is because I noticed that many of my Chinese illustrator friends were struggling to expand their careers internationally – often due to challenges like language barriers, time differences, or a lack of familiarity with contracts and legal terms. They’re all incredibly talented artists creating amazing work, but they just needed the right platform and support to reach a wider audience.
I truly believe there’s so much potential in connecting different cultures and perspectives – that’s where new, modern forms of illustration and collaboration are born. At the same time, I think there’s still a somewhat cliché understanding of Asian culture in the West, often reduced to symbols like the color red or dragons. While those are indeed part of our heritage, other aspects, like the use of xuan paper or the “art of leaving blank,” are equally important. Through Caper, we want to build a bridge that highlights this diversity and brings more nuanced, inspiring creative exchanges between East and West.
Tell me about the illustration you created for Wacom’s 2025 Holiday campaign. What inspired you, and what do you hope the piece conveys?
The main idea behind my artwork for Wacom’s 2025 Holiday campaign is connection and the joy of exchanging gifts. I wanted to capture that warm, festive spirit, so I designed a composition where a ribbon flows through the scene, connecting all the characters together. It symbolizes the bond between people – the way love, creativity, and appreciation tie us to one another. Everyone in the illustration is celebrating the end of a fruitful year, taking a moment to relax, share joy, and show love through the simple act of giving.
You created the piece digitally on a Wacom Cintiq. How was that process? What do you like about the digital art creation process? You originally started your art journey with traditional painting. Do you still create work with pencil, paint, and paper/canvas?
The process was very smooth! I did learn to draw in a very traditional way – through sketching and life drawing – so I’ve always been used to seeing the effect directly from the pen, pencil, or brush. When I later switched to digital drawing, the Cintiq series perfectly solved that transition. I’ve been using Cintiq tablets for more than 10 years; my first one was the Cintiq 13HD, and now I use the latest Cintiq 24 Touch. It’s even more convenient since I can control the canvas and switch tools smoothly through the touchscreen. I still keep the habit of drawing in a sketchbook, though – it helps me collect inspiration from everyday life.
Do you have any advice for young artists who want to pursue an art career, but think they might have to do a “real job” instead?
I think the key is finding balance – between work and life, reality and dreams, and even between yourself and the people around you. I wouldn’t suggest giving up everything in life just to chase a dream, but it’s important to always keep that passion alive. Even small steps count. As long as you keep creating and stay connected to what inspires you, opportunities will come naturally.
About the artist
Weitong Mai is an award-winning Chinese-born Canadian illustrator and motion graphic artist, currently based in London, UK. As an Asian illustrator with a strong background in storytelling and visual design, she creates poetic, atmospheric images that bridge Eastern sensitivity with Western aesthetics.
Check out her work on her website, view her portfolio on Behance, or follow her on Instagram.
