These five artists and creators use their Instagram accounts to share vibrant illustrations, works-in-progress, and inspirations.
A new year means a fresh feed: These five SVA community artists and creators are sharing vibrant illustration, character-driven storytelling, and behind-the-scenes process—plus plenty of work-in-progress inspiration to carry you through January.
Gina Minichino (BFA 1990 Media Arts)
Known for luminous, meticulously crafted realist paintings that bring a classical still-life sensibility to decidedly modern subjects, SVA alumnus Gina Minichino shares work that lingers on color, light, and composition—often finding the uncanny beauty (and quiet humor) in everyday things. Follow her at @ginaminichino.
Raheem Nelson (BFA 2007 Cartooning)
Based in New Haven, Connecticut, SVA alumnus Raheem Nelson utilizes Instagram to showcase a practice that bridges traditional cartooning roots with a distinctly contemporary workflow, creating both personal and professional work on an iPad (often using Procreate) across commercial graphic design, paintings, portraits, and pop art. Follow him at @raheemnelsonart.
Yaoting Wang (MFA 2023 Illustration as Visual Essay)
An award-winning illustrator, whose honors include a 2025 Society of Illustrators gold award, and visual development artist originally from China, SVA alumnus Yaoting Wang shares uncanny, dynamic, story-forward images that balance character, atmosphere, and design, offering a feed that feels surreal, cinematic, and deeply illustrative. Follow them at @bulkfirework.
Grace Desmarais (SVA Residencies alumnus)
Brooklyn-based cartoonist and illustrator Grace Desmarais makes work inspired by history, magic, and romance, regularly designing stationery and self-publishing zines alongside her comics and illustration projects. Her clients have included Chronicle Books, Microcosm Publishing, and Last Gasp, and she also runs a comics opportunities newsletter designed to help intersectional artists find submissions, residencies, and grants. Follow her at @gracedesmarais.
Yejin Lee (BFA Illustration)
A Korean American artist currently enrolled at SVA, Yejin Lee shares vibrant, otherworldly, often anime-inspired illustrations shaped by a love of music—often pushing her images into motion by adapting her work for video formats, with projects that span music videos, zines, and storybook work. Follow her at @yuidel_.