CHARLESTON, S.C.—Artist and children’s book illustrator Natalia Luque attended Shen Yun Performing Arts in search of inspiration for her work.

“You could grasp the whole story and kind of immerse yourself in the moment, so it was very inspirational. I loved it,” Ms. Luque said after seeing Shen Yun at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on April 19.

Moved by the music especially, Ms. Luque said it was “an honor to have the [orchestra] play live.”

“They did it with passion ... each skit was very emotional, so it was very organic, but at the same time complete, it has a completion to it to each story. That they were able to show the whole picture,” she said.

“[A] dark world that means they can’t share it because they’re afraid. But they are sharing it. They’re sharing it with the world. So that’s bringing it to the light. And that causes a ripple effect to inspire others,” she said.

Seeing Shen Yun, Ms. Luque said she was inspired to live in the moment.

“Remember this moment and that they are willing to share what happened to them and bring it to the light. Bring it to the world, the light,” she said.

“I think it touches your soul, and I think it stirs your soul,” she said. “I think it’s very inspirational to the point to stir your soul and be able to be replenished, refreshed.”

Ms. Luque praised the movement and the colors, finding the production fascinating in how the elements came together into something that could stir the soul.

Ms. Luque said she got chills herself watching the performance that felt “so invigorating,” and encouraged others to come with an open and receptive mind to tap into that inspiration.

“You have to be open for it. I think that’s very important you have to be receptive and I think that’s the key word. You have to have the reception, be receptive to receive and to be in tune with it,” she said.

“You could see his soul just shining through ... the singer, he was very lovely. I think he was also very poignant,” she said.