About Mei Yu
Mei Yu is a multi-talented artist and award-winning author/illustrator from Canada. She has a popular art channel on YouTube with over 1.7 million subscribers, 1,000 videos, and 450 million views. Mei is also a fan-favorite artist on Facebook with over 250K followers. Her debut graphic novel memoir, Lost & Found: Based on a True Story, won Canada's Forest of Reading's Silver Birch Express Award for 2025 and has been nominated or selected for several other awards and recommended reading lists in Canada and the U.S.
Mei Yu is the co-creator of Puddi Panda with her brother Shawn Yu.
Mei has taught, entertained, and inspired millions of aspiring artists and fans worldwide with her popular manga, anime, and cartoon art tutorials, a vast collection of art style challenges, and her original Animate My Life and Puddi Panda animations.
Mei Yu is the co-creator of Puddi Panda with her brother Shawn Yu.
She has created over 100 well-loved books on Amazon, including #1 Bestsellers.
Mei started drawing at age two. In diapers! On the walls! (Sorry, Mom...)
Future artist Mei at work at age five, drawing on paper - much to the relief of her parents.
Mei began drawing at age 2, in diapers. She taught herself how to draw until high school.
In her high school graduating year, Mei won 17 local and national art awards and scholarships in Canada, including the Michael J. Fox Family Art Scholarship and first place in Canada in the Teletoon Animation Scholarship in the Entrance Category. She studied classical animation on a full scholarship. Upon Mei's graduation at age 19, Vancouver animation studios hired her to work on their animated TV shows. Her success stories appeared many times in various major Vancouver newspapers and TV programs.
Mei teaching students drawing lessons at schools and libraries.
Mei has over 30 years of drawing experience and 20 years of anime, manga, and cartoon art teaching experience. Since 2004, she has been teaching kids, teens, and adults her popular art lessons in schools and libraries in Vancouver and online. Mei continues to inform, entertain, and inspire people around the world with her beautiful artwork, positive attitude, and cheerful personality.
Mei redrew her art she made when she was five. She loves her childhood art as much as her current art, because without her childhood art, passion, and practice, she would not be able to continue her art today.
Samples of Mei's beautiful artwork featuring her reimaginings of pop culture in different art styles or with unique, creative twists.
Mei working on her 100 paint art challenge video for her fans.
Mei's popular coloring, how to draw, and other books, including her graphic novel memoir, continue to inspire many around the world.
Many of Mei Yu’s fans regard her as their role model. They have told Mei that her art, videos, and books have ignited their passion for art and creativity. Some are inspired to start their own art journey, while others are picking up their drawing again. Many are furthering their art education and pursuing their dreams in art, animation, comics, fashion, and design.
Mei's beautiful art and family-friendly content are well-loved by parents, teachers, and librarians. Throughout the years, they have told Mei how much their children and students love her art, books, and videos.
Mei is constantly creating more art, books, graphic novels, and other projects. She loves to continue to share her artistic journey with her fans and readers through her creations.
Watch Mei draw herself and her graphic novel in 10 different art styles here
