Baopu #46: Take Care of Yourself This Summer

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Yao Xiao

Yao Xiao is a China-born illustrator based in New York City. Yao Xiao creates artwork depicting a poetic visual world where complex concepts and human emotions are examined, amplified, and given physical form. Her work has helped people all over the globe connect at unique moments, from the celebration of the 20 Year Anniversary of the SXSW Interactive Festival, to the grand release of pop singer Katy Perry's single 'Dark Horse.' She has created deeply emotional and beautiful graphics for editorial print publications, pop music record covers, concert posters and book covers. Yao Xiao's serialized comic Baopu currently runs monthly on Autostraddle. It is an original comic exploring the nuances in searching for identities, connections and friendships through the fictional life of a young, queer emigrant. Baopu stands for 'holding simplicity,' a Taoist ideal of wishing to return to a simpler state. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Etsy or her website.

Yao has written 128 articles for us.

21 Comments

  1. Ugh. I just graduated from college and I’m having an existential crisis about it. This is just the advice that I need!!!! Thank you!!!

    • I’m so happy to hear!! CONGRATS! That’s such a big step, and yes, the first summer out of school you need as much care as you can get. Good luck!!

  2. Baopu your art is the most perfect thing. Thank you for all that you do and share <3.

    • Thank you so much, Snaelle. I’m really encouraged by kind words like yours when I make comics, because sometimes I feel like the world has so much art already, and I get a little intimidated. Thanks for reading! :)

  3. My five year old was just on the floor this morning sobbing, and I reminded her, myself, and my seven year old that it’s okay to be sad and it’s okay to cry. (It’s not okay to hurt other, to hurt onself, nor to break things.)

  4. I appreciate this a whole lot! I’m excited about summer and hanging out in nature!

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