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Dreaming in Love Parade
Meet Feihuasanqian, also known as 'SanQian'. She is an illustrator and animation artist from Chongqing, China, now based in the UK. Fascinated by the relationships between colours and shapes, she crafts dreamlike and psychedelic illustrations and graphics exploring emotion, dreams, memory and relationships between people and their inner world.
We were excited to be taken through the process and meaning behind @feihuasanqian's artistry and works, often inspired by and exploring the vast meaning of love through graphics and elements of animals.
Hi SanQian, nice to meet you :) Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Sanqian. I’m illustrator and animation artist originally from Chongqing, China, and I’m currently based in Liverpool, United Kingdom. My work explores emotion, dreams, memory, and the relationship between people and their inner world. I work across illustration, animation, and visual storytelling. For me, art is a way to create emotional connection and quiet reflection.
What is your background as an artist/creator? How did you first get into drawing and painting?
I started learning to draw when I was very young and grew up within China’s traditional art education system. Since I was five years old, I’ve considered art to be my lifelong calling and have dedicated myself to drawing ever since. I studied Visual Communication at university and later continued working in animation and freelance illustration. I’ve also participated in commercial collaborations and visual projects.I started drawing when I was a little girl. At first, it was a way to build my own inner world and express emotions that were difficult to describe with words. Over time, drawing became a natural part of my life.
How would you describe your artistic style and influences?
My artistic style has always been quite illustrative and graphic in nature. I’m fascinated by the relationships and interactions between colors and shapes, and I constantly experiment with balancing compositions through blocks of color. For me, this process is deeply therapeutic. If I had to describe my work in a few words, I would say it is dreamlike and psychedelic.
My style combines abstract atmosphere, symbolic imagery, and emotional storytelling. I often use vivid colors, floating shapes, and dream-like compositions to create a feeling between reality and imagination. I’m inspired by poetry, music, nature, and small moments from daily life. Many ideas come to me while walking or spending quiet time outside. I especially enjoy imagining scenes and visual stories while walking my dog, and those moments often become the starting point for my artworks. Visually, I’m inspired by animation, fashion, album covers, and the feeling of stars or comets in the night sky.
Paradise, 2022
Love is chain, 2023
Spirals, 2025
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.
The two covers explore emotional travel and inner imagination.
For the first cover, Arcade Parade, I was inspired by the idea of Creation. The design focuses more on movement and freedom, like drifting through a dream or cosmic space. I often think about how people can preserve their creativity throughout life. While creating this piece, I imagined the little dog as a brave leader, running purposefully toward a destination. To me, moments free from distraction are when we are most connected to our intuition and, therefore, most creative.
For the second cover, Dream Carousel, I painted two dogs discovering an egg of love. The second design is quieter and more reflective, inspired by memory, emotion, and nature. Through this piece, I wanted to explore intimacy and relationships. Two butterflies slowly move toward one another until they transform into a pair of kissing lips, while a small horse moves beneath the warmth of love’s flame. I wanted the artwork to capture the impulsive, beautiful, and exhilarating feeling of being deeply in love.
Left: Arcade Parade, Right: Dream Carousel
Are there any hidden details or symbolism in your design that you'd like to share with us?
Yes, I often use stars, floating dots, and abstract light forms as symbols of memory and emotion. Some elements are inspired by comets and planets because I like the idea that emotions can travel through space and time. Purple is also an important color in my work because it represents imagination, calmness, and mystery. I like leaving space for viewers to create their own interpretations.
The fluffy white dog you named Space Dog, often appear in your illustrations; is there a significance to it?
Space Dog showed me how to love, serving as a reflection of my inner self.
Dogs approach love with pure honesty, confidence, and relaxation. They don't engage in the awkward mind games or mutual hesitation that humans put themselves through. They catch a glimpse of what love really is much quicker than we ever could.
To us, love can feel like a trap, an illusion, a weightless drift, or a complex shade of purple—both airy and burdensome. It can even be a cruel, maddening affliction that makes us act foolish. We project so many of our own imaginary colors onto the word "love" and the people we care about that we lose sight of its true form. But to these animals, love is just love. Love is shown through action.
I want to use Space Dog to find my courage again—to not only love someone else, but to love myself and what I do. It’s given me a fresh perspective on how I connect with myself, with others, and with the entire world.
Space Dog in 'RUN', 2023
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?
My process usually begins with emotions, music, or memories rather than sketches. I spend time experimenting with colors and composition until the image feels emotionally balanced. One challenge is balancing abstraction with clarity. I want the artwork to feel imaginative while still emotionally approachable. I usually begin by constructing a complete image in my mind. The creative process then becomes an attempt to faithfully translate that vision onto the canvas. Sometimes there is a gap between what I imagine and what appears on the page, so I experiment, adjust, and refine until I find the most effective way to express the idea. I believe patience is one of the most important qualities an artist can have.
What materials or techniques did you use to bring your design to life?
I mainly work digitally, combining illustration and animation-inspired techniques. I use layered textures, gradients, and hand-drawn elements to create depth and atmosphere. Even digitally, I still approach my work like painting, focusing on rhythm and emotion. Almost all of my work is created on an iPad. I don’t rely on any special techniques or tools. In fact, I’m quite committed to creating unique imagery using the most ordinary brushes available. To me, creativity is far more important than materials or technical complexity.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists or creators who want to make their mark in the industry?
Never try to reshape yourself simply to follow market trends. Trends are always changing, but your authentic voice is what endures. If you become too focused on achieving success overnight, it becomes difficult to slow down and truly develop your craft. Staying true to yourself and patiently refining your work is far more valuable in the long run.
Are there any other artists or creators who inspire you in your work?
I’m deeply inspired by the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint. Her artistic journey has had a profound influence on me. There is a strong sense of physicality and spiritual conviction in her work, and she seemed to believe that art itself was always greater than the individual artist.
I’m also inspired by the photographer Vivian Maier. She treated photography as a personal passion rather than a profession. She approached creative practice almost as a form of self-cultivation, and I think that mindset is incredibly valuable because it allows artists to remain less affected by external expectations and pressures.
Do you have any favourite Mossery products or designs from other artists that have caught your attention?
I really enjoy the rabbit illustrations created by rt0no. Their work carries a sense of classical romanticism that I find very appealing. Rather than following contemporary trends, the artwork remains true to its own unique visual language, which is something I greatly admire.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the Mossery community and those who appreciate your work?
Thank you for supporting artists and creative communities. Every sketch, idea, and experiment starts with curiosity. I hope my work reminds people to keep exploring, questioning, and imagining new possibilities.
A big thank you to SanQian for sharing her artistic journey and insights. If you found her work inspiring, we encourage you to discover more of her creations with us here!
