Creating little worlds, one smile at a time
Not every coloring book begins with a publishing plan.
Sometimes, it begins with a child asking for a picture to color.
For Sui Sui, creativity has always been a constant. Long before the first book was published, drawing was already a daily ritual — a place to slow down, imagine new worlds, and escape into something a little gentler than everyday life.
What transformed that lifelong passion into a growing collection of coloring books wasn't the pursuit of a career.
It was the simple realization that something created with joy could be shared with others.
Today, Sui Sui's books have found homes with colorists across the world, offering cozy villages, cheerful animals, peaceful gardens and tiny details inviting you to linger on every page.
More importantly, they've become part of family traditions, quiet evenings, and moments of comfort during life's more difficult chapters.
We spoke with the creator about finding inspiration in everyday moments, building a community through art, and why creating happiness will always matter more than chasing perfection.
Where the Story Began
Many artists can pinpoint the moment creativity first became important. For Sui Sui, however, drawing has simply always been there.
Long before coloring books entered the picture, childhood was filled with pencils, paper and an imagination that could turn an ordinary afternoon into an adventure. The path toward publishing arrived much later — and through someone unexpected.
How did your journey into coloring and creating coloring books begin?
"I've loved drawing, creating, and coloring for as long as I can remember. As a child, a pencil and a piece of paper could transport me anywhere. I would spend hours creating little worlds of my own, and bringing them to life with color made them feel magical.
Three years ago, my nephew asked if I could draw some pictures for him to color. I wanted every page to be as cute and joyful as possible. Watching him smile as he colored those drawings was something I'll never forget. In that moment, I realized that creating art wasn't just something I enjoyed — it was something I could share. If something as simple as a drawing could brighten one child's day, perhaps it could brighten someone else's too.
That thought became the beginning of my journey, and it's still the reason I create today."
Publishing may have become the destination, but creativity was never something reserved for working hours. Like many other creators, Sui Sui balances imagination with the more basic routines of everyday life.
What were you doing before you became a coloring book creator?
"Creating coloring books is actually my second job. During the day, I work a regular office job, and like many people, I have a fairly typical 9-to-5 routine. But when I come home, everything changes.
That's when I get to step into my own creative world. Drawing has always been my way of slowing down, relaxing, and escaping from the busyness of everyday life. No matter how stressful the day has been, sitting down with a sketchbook reminds me why I love creating so much. In many ways, I experience the same sense of peace while drawing that I hope my readers feel while coloring."
That idea of creating a peaceful escape would eventually become the foundation for every book that followed.
Building Little Worlds
Spend a few minutes with one of Sui Sui's books and something becomes immediately apparent. The pages don't feel like individual illustrations. Each one feels connected to something larger — a cozy neighborhood waiting around the corner, a friendly animal with its own story, or a hidden detail quietly rewarding anyone willing to look a little closer.
Rather than filling pages, Sui Sui is creating places readers genuinely want to visit.
What makes your coloring books unique?
"Every page begins with one simple question: 'Would I be smiling while coloring this page?' If the answer is no, it doesn't make it into the final book. I spend a lot of time planning each page, searching for inspiration, sketching ideas, and refining every little detail.
My goal isn't simply to fill pages — it's to create a world that feels warm, inviting, and full of little surprises. I especially love creating scenes that make people smile: cozy worlds, charming villages, friendly animals, beautiful gardens, and tiny details waiting to be discovered.
I hope every page feels like a little escape from everyday life — a place where readers can slow down, relax, and simply enjoy the moment."
That warmth doesn't come from imagination alone. Some of the greatest inspiration comes from the people turning those black-and-white drawings into colorful memories.
Where do you usually find inspiration?
"My greatest inspiration comes from everyday life and from the wonderful people who color my books. Through social media, I've had the privilege of getting to know readers from all over the world. They've shared joyful moments, family milestones, beautiful coloring pages, and sometimes even the difficult chapters of their lives.
Many have told me that coloring gives them a peaceful escape during challenging times. Hearing those stories inspires me more than I can describe. In many ways, we're helping each other. I escape into my drawings while creating them, and they escape into coloring while bringing those drawings to life.
That connection is something I treasure, and it's one of the biggest reasons I continue creating."
It's a relationship that feels refreshingly rare.
Rather than simply producing books for an audience, Sui Sui describes an ongoing conversation — one where readers inspire future creations just as much as the artwork inspires them.
Drawing From the Heart
While many books celebrate cozy adventures and cheerful discoveries, one project carries a far more personal story.
Some ideas entertain.
Others become something closer to healing.
What themes do you enjoy creating the most?
"One of my most personal books is Hygge Clouds. Without giving away the story, it follows a little teddy bear who has lost someone very dear to him. One day, an angel grants him the chance to spend one more day together with his friend in Heaven.
They laugh, explore, and share precious moments before one final surprise brings the story full circle. Creating that book was unlike anything I've ever worked on. There were many moments when I had to stop drawing because I couldn't hold back the tears.
For me, it became more than a coloring book. It became a way of exploring grief, love, hope, and the memories we carry with us. I think many of us have quietly wished we could spend just one more day with someone we've lost. That feeling became the heart of Hygge Clouds, and I hope readers can feel the love that went into every page."
Even in its most emotional moments, the creative process always begins the same way — with curiosity.
From a Spark of an Idea
Great ideas don't always arrive with grand announcements.
Sometimes they begin with a passing thought that refuses to leave.
A birthday party.
A colorful box of doughnuts.
An unexpected question.
For Sui Sui, imagination often starts by asking, "What if?"
What does your typical process look like when creating a new coloring book?
"Every book starts with a tiny spark of curiosity. Sometimes it's something as simple as spotting a box of colorful donuts at a birthday party and wondering, 'What would this look like through the eyes of an ant?' Before I know it, that single thought has turned into a magical world where giant donuts become bridges, cupcakes become houses, and rivers flow through a land made entirely of sweet treats.
Once an idea captures my imagination, I spend time exploring it.
I sketch different scenes, imagine how each page connects to the next, and think about how the book should make someone feel as they color it. After that, I redraw and refine every illustration until it feels just right.
Finally, I assemble everything into the finished book, carefully arranging each page to create a relaxing and enjoyable coloring experience from beginning to end.
For me, every book begins with one small idea and a lot of daydreaming."
Of course, inspiration rarely arrives in perfectly organized fashion. Behind every finished book sits a workspace that tells a very different story.
What happens behind the scenes that most people never see?
"Probably the organized chaos! My workspace is usually filled with sketches, notebooks, half-finished ideas, and pages covered in little notes. Some days I feel like I have a hundred ideas racing through my mind all at once.
The creative process isn't always neat or predictable but somehow, out of all that wonderful chaos, a coloring book slowly comes to life."
Learning to Let Go
Ask any artist about the most difficult part of the creative process and the answer is rarely learning how to draw.
More often, it's learning when to stop.
For Sui Sui, every page is carefully considered. Tiny details are revisited, compositions are adjusted, and covers are refined over and over — not because they're unfinished, but because there's always the temptation to make them just a little better.
It's a challenge many creatives know all too well.
What has been the biggest challenge in your journey?
"Without a doubt, learning to let go of perfectionism.
I can spend hours adjusting the smallest detail on a page or redesigning a book cover over and over because I always wonder if it could be just a little bit better.
Thankfully, my readers often remind me to be kinder to myself. Some have told me, 'It's already beautiful — you don't have to keep chasing perfection.' Their encouragement has helped me realize that sometimes done really is better than perfect.
Without their support, some of my books might never have made it into the hands of readers."
A Community Built One Page at a Time
Publishing a successful book is something many creators dream about.
Building a community is something altogether different.
For Sui Sui, the greatest achievement isn't measured in bestseller rankings or sales milestones. Instead, it's found in the countless stories shared by readers — stories of families coloring together, friendships formed through creativity, and quiet moments when a coloring book became exactly what someone needed.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
"Without a doubt, it's the community that has grown around my books. Of course, seeing a book become a bestseller or reach readers around the world is exciting, but those achievements will never mean as much to me as the stories my readers have shared.
I still remember one of the very first messages I received after publishing my first book.
A woman from Kent told me she had been coloring the pages together with her daughters. She later shared photos of their finished pages with me, and I remember becoming quite emotional. It was the first time I truly realized that something I had created was becoming part of someone else's family memories.
Since then, I've received so many messages that have stayed with me. One reader colored a page every single day and shared her progress online. Watching each page slowly come to life felt like we were on that creative journey together.
Another reader spent time coloring while staying in hospital. Knowing that one of my books could offer even a small moment of comfort during such a difficult time was incredibly humbling.
One mother told me that after she started coloring, her young son wanted to join her. Soon they were coloring side by side and proudly sharing their finished pages with me.
Moments like that absolutely melt my heart.
I also have readers who purchase my books simply to donate them to children in hospitals, or who recommend my books to friends without me ever asking. Others have supported every single release since my very first book. Many of these readers have become genuine friends.
When I look back, I don't think my greatest accomplishment is creating coloring books. It's knowing that those books have become part of people's lives, their quiet moments, their family time, and sometimes even their healing journey. That is something I will never take for granted."
It's a reminder that creativity is rarely a solo journey.
While the artwork may begin at a drawing desk, every finished book is ultimately completed by the people who welcome it into their homes.
Listening to these stories, it's easy to understand why community appears again and again throughout the conversation.
The books may begin with pen and paper, but they continue their journey in living rooms, hospital wards, cafés, classrooms and family homes around the world.
Have you ever received feedback from a customer that stayed with you?
"Many times. One of the most unexpected gifts of creating coloring books has been the friendships I've made along the way.
What often begins as a simple message about a coloring page gradually turns into conversations about life, family, celebrations, and sometimes even difficult moments.
Some readers have shared stories of recovering from illness, caring for loved ones, coping with grief, or simply needing a peaceful escape after a hard day. The fact that they trust me enough to share those moments is something I never expected, and it means more than I can put into words.
Over time, some of those readers have become people I genuinely consider friends. They may have started as strangers who happened to buy one of my books, but today they're part of what I lovingly think of as the Sui Sui family."
Perhaps that's the quiet magic of coloring. What often begins as an individual hobby has an unexpected way of bringing people together.
The Gift of Slowing Down
In today's fast-moving world, coloring has become something different for everyone.
For some, it's an opportunity to explore colour palettes and new techniques. For others, it's an hour of calm at the end of a busy day. Increasingly, it's also recognised as a gentle form of mindfulness — a chance to put aside the constant demands of everyday life and simply focus on the page in front of you.
It's a role Sui Sui understands deeply.
What role do you think coloring plays in people's lives today?
"I think everyone comes to coloring for a different reason, and that's one of the things I love most about it. Some people color because they enjoy learning new techniques and experimenting with colors. Others use it to relax after work or to take a break from the constant pace of everyday life.
For some, coloring becomes a quiet form of mindfulness. For others, it's a creative escape during difficult seasons of life. I've spoken with readers who color while recovering in hospital, while caring for family members, during periods of anxiety, or simply because it's the one peaceful hour they can set aside for themselves.
Whatever the reason, I think coloring gives us permission to slow down. In a world that constantly encourages us to move faster, coloring gently reminds us that it's perfectly okay to pause, breathe, and simply enjoy the present moment."
That same philosophy quietly shapes every page.
The goal isn't to create perfect artwork.
It's to create a moment worth enjoying.
What do you hope people feel when they color your pages?
"More than anything, I hope they feel peaceful. Life can be incredibly busy.
We're constantly surrounded by deadlines, responsibilities, notifications, and things demanding our attention. I hope that when someone opens one of my books, all of that fades away, even if it's only for a little while.
I hope they smile at the tiny details, laugh at the playful scenes, and lose themselves in the world they're bringing to life with color.
Coloring isn't about creating a masterpiece or coloring perfectly. It's about enjoying the process.
If someone finishes just one page feeling a little calmer, a little happier, or simply feeling like they had a wonderful hour to themselves, then I've achieved exactly what I hoped to create."
It's a wonderfully simple philosophy — and perhaps one that explains why so many readers describe Sui Sui's books as feeling less like coloring books and more like places to visit.
Looking Ahead
Ask Sui Sui about future ambitions and the answer is refreshingly modest. There are plenty of ideas waiting to become books, new themes to explore, and countless worlds still waiting to be drawn.
Yet success has never been defined by numbers alone.
Instead, the goal remains exactly as it was when those very first drawings were made for a young nephew — to make someone smile.
What are your dreams and goals for the future?
"My biggest dream is actually quite simple. I hope my books can reach more people and bring a little more happiness into the world.
Every time someone tells me that one of my books helped them relax, smile, spend quality time with their family, or simply forget about their worries for a while, it reminds me why I started this journey in the first place.
Of course, I have many ideas for future books, new themes, and exciting projects that I'd love to create.
But beyond all of that, my goal has never really changed. If one of my books can brighten someone's day, then I've done something worthwhile. And if tomorrow I can help one more person smile than I did today, then I'll happily keep creating."
Before concluding our conversation, there was one final question to ask. Not about future books or publishing plans, but about legacy.
What impact would you like your work to have on the coloring community?
"I hope people remember my books as little pockets of happiness. Not because they were the most detailed or the most complicated, but because they made people feel welcome, relaxed, and inspired to create.
I hope families continue coloring together, friends continue sharing their finished pages, and people continue finding comfort in creativity during both the joyful and the challenging moments of life.
If, years from now, someone picks up one of my books and it reminds them of a peaceful afternoon, a conversation with a loved one, or a moment when life felt just a little lighter, I think that would be the greatest legacy I could ever hope for.
At the end of the day, I don't just want to create coloring books. I want to create smiles, warm memories, and little moments of happiness that stay with people long after they've finished the last page."
A Lasting Impression
Spend enough time talking with Sui Sui and one thing becomes unmistakably clear.
The books have never really been about coloring.
They're about creating spaces where people can slow down.
Places where families spend time together, where strangers become friends, where grief softens, and where a single quiet afternoon can become a cherished memory.
In a world that rarely pauses, Sui Sui's illustrations offer gentle permission to do exactly that.
One page. One smile. One little world at a time.