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Artists are paying tribute after the death of beloved DeviantArt star Qinni

Even if you don't know her name, chances are you know her work.

Amanda Yeo

on February 10, 2020

Artists are paying tribute after the death of beloved DeviantArt star Qinni

Artists are paying tribute to Canadian artist Qing Han, aka Qinni, who has passed away after a battle with cancer. Qinni was a beloved and influential figure in the online art scene, and her viral work inspired countless people for over a decade. She was 29.

Though she eventually accumulated over two million followers on Instagram, Qinni found her start in the 2000s internet stalwart DeviantArt. Introduced to the site by a high school friend in 2005, it wasn't until 2008 that she created an account and began posting her own work.

Qinni's ethereal, anime-inspired art gained significant attention and was frequently shared by fans, galvanising her to pursue it as a career.

"DA was really the place where I got the encouragement and confidence to try and convince my parents I wanted to become a professional artist," Qinni wrote in 2017. "I remember wanting to be just as skilled and well known as some of the artists here and it’s crazy to almost be able to see myself as their peer now."

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Qinni achieved her dream of becoming a professional artist, working as a background painter for animation studio Titmouse. She also continued to make her own art on the side, including creating tutorials and sharing advice for other artists.

Known for her positivity, friendliness, and warmth as much as her skill with a pencil, many considered Qinni a teacher and inspiration. In February 2017 she was awarded DeviantArt's Deviousness Award, granted for her "helpfulness and mentoring within the DeviantArt community."

"I just like talking to people," she told Urban-Muse.com. "If someone starts an engaging conversation starter or points something out, I’d try to respond if I’m not busy."

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Qinni's work was so prolific that there's a good chance you've enjoyed it without even realising. In addition to her more serious art, she was further responsible for the classic meme of a person lying in a puddle of tears.

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Qinni was open about her ongoing health issues and frequently included medical themes in her work. Having undergone open heart surgery four times due to a genetic heart condition, her announcement just after Christmas that she had also been diagnosed with terminal stage 4 fibrosis sarcoma cancer was met by an outpouring of sympathy and support.

Over the next month Qinni shared her experience of chemotherapy with brutal honesty and a dark sense of humour, cracking jokes while still continuing to create art. "It just feels good to sort of blarrgh feelings onto a page," Qinni told Urban-Muse.com two years before the diagnosis. "Art therapy is a real thing."

Qinni's friend and fellow illustrator Courtney "Seage" Howlett broke news of her death on Feb. 10. "She was a light in my life and meant more to me than I can explain," he wrote on Twitter.

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Tributes have poured in for Qinni from around the world, with countless artists who have been inspired by or admired her work sharing art under the hashtag #galaxiesforqinni.

Many of these tributes have drawn from one of Qinni's most famous pieces: a blue and purple girl with stars on her face. 'Starred Freckles' was so prolific that it even inspired a 2016 makeup trend.

Some have also incorporated gold fish or stars, references to Qinni's 2012 short film Night Lights and 2017 artwork 'Wishing upon a star.'

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Rest in peace, Qinni.

Amanda Yeo

Assistant Editor

Amanda Yeo is an Assistant Editor at Mashable, covering entertainment, culture, tech, science, and social good. Based in Australia, she writes about everything from video games and K-pop to movies and gadgets.