Paintings among the series of ink-and-brush works by Lin that are dedicated to the Chinese 24 Solar Terms.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"I hope that my caricatures can have a positive effect and make people optimistic," Lin says. And he adds that he always tries to look at the world with sympathy and a soft heart.

Asked how he deals with his celebrity status, Lin, who is now well known as a painter, photographer, calligrapher, columnist and author, says that becoming famous has not affected his daily life, and that he manages to strike a good balance between his work and his hobbies.

Meanwhile, Lin updates his official account on WeChat, a popular social media platform, almost every day, posting pictures, new paintings or articles for more than 900,000 followers.

And he says he values his bond with his fans, whom he treats as friends.

As for his opinion of social media and the impact it has on his work, he says: "In the internet age, sharing works helps you get quick feedback. So it pushes artists to constantly adjust and innovate."

Lin believes that artworks are not only about self-expression, but should be meant for resonance. "When I create, I care about viewers' feelings, and try to make my work graceful, light and happy, a little candy for viewers," he says.