Online art community platform DeviantArt has lost one of its most notable artists after Qing Han, popularly known as Qinni, passed away due to cancer. Fellow artists are paying their respects to her by creating inspired tributes.
Qinni, a Canada-based artist, died earlier today, Feb. 11. DeviantArt’s official Twitter account shared the sad news to her fans today.
Today, the world has lost a wonderful artist, and a wonderful person. Thank you for inspiring us with your art, Qinni. We hope you rest in peace. https://t.co/2FXWVksUEb
— DeviantArt (@DeviantArt) February 10, 2020
For around 12 years on DeviantArt, 29-year-old Qinni gained more than 115,000 followers and 3.3 million views on the platform, making her one of the most influential persons in the online art scene.
Qinni was also given the “Deviousness Award” in 2017 for her “Exemplary Membership and an Outstanding Spirit of helpfulness and mentoring within the DeviantArt community.”
“Qinni is a deviant who strives to not only better herself, but also the artists around her,” the online platform described her. “While her artwork is always spectacular, what makes Qinni such a valuable member of the community is her dedication to helping her fellow deviants grow by sharing tutorials and videos of her artistic process.”
Qinni, a four-time open heart surgery survivor, had always been transparent about her health conditions. After finding out about her most recent affliction just shortly after last Christmas, she immediately shared the bad news to her followers.
“Got diagnosis today. Cancer, Stage 4, doc says I got about a year or year and a half left,” she said on Twitter on Dec. 28. “[Hey] guys how do [I] stop randomly bursting into tears lol.”
Got diagnosis today. Cancer, Stage 4, doc says I got about a year or year and a half left.
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hey guys how do i stop randomly bursting into tears lol pic.twitter.com/XoGEt3iv8g— Qinni 【天天就是天天】 (@QinniArt) December 28, 2019
The 29-year-old followed up with an update on Jan. 3 via DeviantArt, revealing to the art community that she was afflicted with “stage 4 fibrosis sarcoma,” and even dedicated an artwork to thank her supporters.
“I appreciate all the support on twitter and people becoming my patron is just so sweet, thank you guys so much,” she stressed.
“I apologize my condition might only get worse before it gets better though, I still have a lot of pain problems right now actually… [I] think that’s the worst part of this though, is the pain. god. I’m so tired,” the artist added.
Qinni had always been known for her star and galaxy-inspired works, and her piece titled “Starred Freckles” became one of her most popular artworks.
Fans and fellow artists alike are now banding together to remember Qinni by making their own artworks inspired by her star and galaxy-themed masterpieces.
One Twitter user @DeePeeArts proposed to other artists to send her the tributes that she would compile to honor Qinni.
“I was thinking if we all got together as [an] art community and drew our own little planets and stars into a big art piece and signed each one, we could come together as a collective Community and remember Qinni,” she said on Twitter earlier today. Artists can send their works to Qiniplanets@hotmail.com.
I want to do something to remember and celebrate @QinniArt …
I was thinking if we all got together as a art community and drew our own little planets and stars into a big art piece and signed each one, we could come together as a collective Community and remember Qinni ♥️ https://t.co/9ZvORAVtKB
— 🎨 Art Community!🎨 (@ArtShareHub) February 10, 2020
Digital artist @loishh meanwhile drew a cartoon of Qinni, donning the iconic “starred freckles,” surrounded by glowing goldfish, a nod to Qinni’s 2017 short animated film “Night Lights“.
“A drawing for Qinni. It feels so incredibly unfair that someone with so much talent and so many amazing things ahead of her is suddenly no longer here. I wish I had the chance to get to know her better,” she noted. “Rest in peace, funny, sweet, talented and beautiful Qinni.”
A drawing for Qinni. It feels so incredibly unfair that someone with so much talent and so many amazing things ahead of her is suddenly no longer here. I wish I had the chance to get to know her better. Rest in peace, funny, sweet, talented and beautiful Qinni. pic.twitter.com/31ofqJAqHY
— Loish (@loishh) February 10, 2020
Artist @FiligreenArt meanwhile came up with his own Qinni-inspired work, and likewise paid tribute to the artist for inspiring countless others.
“A tribute to Qinni, a wonderful artist and beautiful soul,” the artist said. Regardless of all the lame cards she was dealt @QinniArt remained one of the most positive and strong people ever. I looked up to her when I was young and look up to her even still. RIP Qinni, you continue to inspire.”
A tribute to Qinni, a wonderful artist and beautiful soul. Regardless of all the lame cards she was dealt @QinniArt
remained one of the most positive and strong people ever. I looked up to her when I was young and look up to her even still. RIP Qinni, you continue to inspire. pic.twitter.com/p0Cs9Dgye9— Filigreen (@FiligreenArt) February 10, 2020
Although the doctors estimated her to live for another year or a year and a half, the universe seemed to have decided to take Qinni way earlier.
Despite the artist’s death, however, Qinni will live on in her works and in the countless people she had inspired through her wonderful art. Rest in peace, Qinni, and be one with the stars. JB
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