Beryl Wu’s, @beryl510, begins every creation with humour, desire, and love. She captures the mundane moments of everyday life using bold, vibrant colours. Inspired by daily conversations and fleeting glances—from city streets to cozy homes—she works with a mix of mediums including coloured pencils, acrylics, and airbrush.

For Beryl, there weren’t any significant obstacles in the design process—just pure enjoyment. The experience was smooth and fulfilling, a reflection of how naturally the creative flow came together.

We were curious about how Beryl creates her playful illustrations, so we asked her a few questions to dive into her creative process—read on to learn more.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background as an artist/creator?

I originally worked as a graphic designer, I had more time to myself when COVID happened, which led me to start creating / doing illustrations. At first, I didn’t have any particular goals or intentions—I simply enjoyed the process of drawing. Eventually, I accumulated a body of work and began sharing them on social media, where it gained some attention. That’s when I began to explore / pursue illustration and art more seriously.

How would you describe your artistic style and influences?

My work often revolves around themes of desire, love, and the humour in everyday life. My use of colour tends to be bold and vibrant. Visually, I’m probably influenced by Hockney and Matisse. The content and concepts are inspired by daily life, such as books I’ve read, conversations I’ve had, food I’ve eaten—all of these become sources of inspiration. I love traveling and big cities. When I travel, I like to wander through the city streets and observe people, capturing those scenes in my own way.

You have developed two designs for this collaboration, could you share the themes or messages you aimed to convey through each cover? We would like to understand your creative vision behind them.

These cover designs are more playful and cute. One features a dog being carried out for a walk, and the other shows a cat biting a flower, to declare that "this is mine." There's a touch of mischief in both pieces.

This year, I created many works about love—particularly the kind of love that comes from building relationships with others. It’s rare and hard to come by, yet deeply desired. The cat biting the flower feels a bit like that desire—knowing you can’t force love, but wanting it anyway.

The dog piece was inspired by people I often see walking their dogs. I really love the connection between humans and animals—it’s a beautiful form of love.

Are there any hidden details or symbolism in your design that you'd like to share with us?

I included a lot of small objects and flowers, and used blocks of color to create patterns. I wanted to use gentle tones and small decorative elements to show how I see the world. But at the same time, I hope people can interpret the artwork in their own way too.

What's the process like when you develop this design? Do you face any challenges or obstacles while creating the design? If so, how did you overcome them?

Not really—I truly enjoyed the entire process!

What materials or techniques did you use to bring your design to life?

I mostly use coloured pencils. I love the rich blocks of colour combined with delicate strokes, and I really enjoy the intimate feel of hand-drawing directly on paper.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists or creators who want to make their mark in the industry?

Be patient, and keep creating work that you truly enjoy and love. Those creations will eventually take you to where you want to be.

Are there any other artists or creators who inspire you in your work?

I love Matisse and David Hockney, their bold use of colour and shapes really speaks to me. I’m also inspired by artists who work in different mediums, like ceramics or textiles. I try experimenting with different materials in my own practice too, it always brings me new ideas when I return to drawing.

Do you have any favourite Mossery products or designs from other artists that have caught your attention?

I really like the work of @JACKSON.E.JOYCE. His use of soft colors and gentle brushstrokes is so comforting to look at.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with the Mossery community and those who appreciate your work?

I’m truly grateful for this collaboration opportunity! Creating is such a joyful thing and I’ve had the chance to meet amazing people and experience things I never expected through art. I’m very grateful to be on this path, and thank you so much for the support!

Thank you Beryl for sharing your artistic journey and insights with us. If her work resonated with you, explore her creations with us here!