Arts And Drawing | Awards
My passion for art developed from my desire to depict the wonderful things in the world, tell stories, and bring imagination to life through my art. As a child, I always loved the visual arts, which often led to me doodling in my homework and coloring with my twenty-four-pack Crayola crayons in an effort to capture the colorful world on paper. Over the years, I experimented with a variety of medias, such as watercolors, pastels, oil paints, ink drawings, etc. In addition to traditional 2D art, I also enjoyed creating pottery, sculpture, digital art, scratchboards, and Chinese papercutting. For artistic inspiration, I relied on my personal experiences, observing pieces of famous artists, and looking at art on the Internet. Art, to me, is seeing the surrounding world with curiosity and transferring this feeling into a visual work. Through my creations, I hope to invoke my feeling in others as they view my art.
All artwork on this page (except the 4th one “Sketch”) are my original creations.
Three Obediences and Four Virtues
(Oil-based color pencils and dry pastels, 18 x 24 inches)
The “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” is a set of precepts derived from Confucian values that dictates the expected behavior of women in ancient China. The “three obediences” refer to the subservient role of women as daughters, wives, and mothers to their fathers, husbands, and sons. The “four virtues” govern social behavior by referring to the principles of morality, proper speech, a modest appearance, and diligent work. Using oil-based color pencils and dry pastels, I depict the oppressive weight that these precepts placed on women in ancient China by restricting their freedom, independence, and spirit. The dreary, cracked wood background mirrors the way women were confined to the household, unable to pursue interests or goals outside of serving their family. The lotus flowers, which symbolize purity in Chinese culture, cover and overlap with the women in this drawing to portray the sense of being smothered by the “Three Obediences and Four Virtues.”
Dragon Fruit Lives
(Oil Painting, 18 x 24 inches)
While this painting can be considered a literal depiction of the words “dragon fruit,” it also represents the unpredictable, yet hopeful aspect of what a child’s future may hold. Instead of the typical gray pulp speckled with seeds, two baby dragons hatch from within the vibrant red shell of the fruit. This depiction speaks to the idea that the inside does not always correlate to the outside, just like how one cannot tell what a child will grow to achieve by looking at his or her initial appearance. Furthermore, the pastel hues, foggy background and sunlight simulate a dreamlike and hopeful atmosphere. This piece also portrays how the way adults raise their children plays a significant role in shaping their aspirations and character. Illustrated by the carefully built nest, “Dragon Fruit Lives” conveys the effort that parents put into readying their children to face the world.
Peace
(Oil Painting, 18 x 24 inches)
Depicting a basket filled with fruits, a pot filled with eggs, and, finally, a tinted bottle, this piece represents the calmness of the world. The shadows create the image of objects under an afternoon sun. I wanted to show that when I become stressed, sometimes it’s helpful to take a step back and admire the peaceful moments around me. Through this painting, I hope to capture the atmosphere of one of those moments.
Sketch
(Pencil, 11 x 14 inches)
Practice drawing techniques based on a photo.
Flying Apsaras
(Water Color Painting, 11 x 15 inches)
Inspired by the Chinese idiom “hua long dian jing,” this work conveys my personal goal of excelling in dance performances. “hua long dian jing” tells the story of a painter who drew so realistically that everything he drew would come to life once completed; as a result, when he paints dragons, he leaves the eyes without irises, for fear that they will fly away. The moral of the tale is to demonstrate that attention to the small details are what allow people to excel at what they do. With the lesson in mind, I apply it to my dancing by practicing repeatedly to perfect every movement.
Wingless Dragon
((Sculpture, 4 x 5 x 7 inches)
I created this 3D sculpture from clay as an experiment and a study toward a final two-dimensional artwork. After firing the sculpture, I painted it with acrylics to achieve a bronze statue effect.
Human Rock
(Oil Painting, 18 x 24 inches)
Similar to how rocks are weathered by water, wind, and other natural elements over the course of millions of years, humans evolve due to the impact of our surroundings over a similar period of time. This humanoid rock also demonstrates how my existence marks the current stage of human evolution. In the future, the shapes of these rocks will continue to change. The outlet of Human Rock initiated from one of the most favorite solo dance I performed “Flying Apsara”. An apsaras is one of the spirits depicted in the murals of Chinese temples and grottos. Since this immortal spirit originated in art from over 2000 years ago, including its qualities in my painting parallels the seemingly timeless aspect of evolution. The hairstyle is reflected in my painting through the way the greenery has grown on the rock, and the dance position possesses a similar aura of Chinese culture as the posture of the humanoid rock.
Taming
(Soft Pastels, 19 x 25 inches)
I was born and raised in Texas. Having watched Rodeo games throughout my childhood, I developed my love for American culture. I created this artwork to participate in the Austin Rodeo Youth Art Show Competition. After placing 8th, my artwork was selected to attend the auction. Although the in-person auction was not hosted this year due to COVID-19, my artwork was still sold. It gave me the opportunity to donate the money I earned to my fundraiser that supports UT Southwestern Medical Center in the fight against COVID-19. Using my artwork to contribute to my community has been a fulfilling and rewarding experience.
Under the Stage Light
(Scratchboard + Crystal, 8.5 x 11 inches)
My first scratch board work. I pursue my interests in art, adding color to the world. When I dance, I glow under the stage lights and help people enjoy the beauty of art. When I draw, I bring my dreams to life and ask people to think about what this drawing means.
Yin & Yang
(Oil Pastels, 12 x 18 inches)
Yin and Yang is the Chinese philosophical concept of opposite but interconnected forces. My artwork portrays the ephemeral aspect of life by drawing attention to the spiritual energy of methodical cycles as shown through the juxtaposition of night and day, human and beast.
Blind Date
(Ink Pen + Color pencils)
I see people for who they are and not their appearance. This piece plays with the concept of a “blind date.” While it could be considered a literal representation of this idea, my piece also symbolizes how the woman sees the man’s character, demonstrated by her eyes in the background, and does not judge him for his looks, demonstrated by the blindfold.
Liberty & Freedom
(Color pencils + Soft Pastels, 18 x 22 inches)
The Statue of Liberty, bald eagle, July 4th Independence, they all represent Liberty and Freedom. We care about our country, care about American values and history. We work towards playing a role in shaping America’s future.
Please Do Not Melt
(Scratchboard, 9 x 12 inches)
As global warming continues to worsen, the Arctic faces the issue of melting ice, which destroys the habitat of polar bears and other animals in the region. Through my scratchboard piece, I hope to reflect the seriousness of this issue and invoke sympathy in the viewer by depicting the image of a young polar bear watching the ice and its home melt away.
The Thousand Hand Bodhisattva
(Pastels, 9 x 12 inches)
The thousand hand bodhisattva, a figure of love and kindness, is a group dance I performed with my classmates at my Chinese dance studio. Our dance characterized this Buddhist figure by portraying the elven heads, thousand eyes, and thousands of hands that allowed her to see and extend help to all those in need. My experiences inspired me to create this art piece as a representation of Chinese dance hand positions as well as the significance of the bodhisattva.
Rebirth
(Pencil, Precision Knife, sewing threads, 1/16 circle punch, 8 x 10 inches)
The Chinese phoenix is known for its power to be reborn from the ashes of fire after death. Here, the scene of a dying phoenix is a sad situation – suffering the extreme pain of death; however, the phoenix’s gift of rebirth, fortunately, allows it to live again. Through this traditional Chinese paper cutting combining with some contemporary media, I hope to show that any accomplishment is a result of hard work. This encourages me to endure and work toward achieving my goals.
Hatching Turtor
I sculptured this little hatching tutor. Put it beside the late fountain.
(more artwork in next page …)