Upon first glance, there is a portrait of a distressed person in the center of the piece who has been participating in a rigorous, physically demanding exercise while wearing a sweater, causing them to profusely sweat. Their facial expression reveals that they are tired and unmotivated, yet they continue to stay disciplined and continue strict conditioning regardless if they are exhausted, or in extreme discomfort, showing they strive to be the best through putting in their maximum effort. Not only do the seismic waves in the background represent what the figure is feeling in their head-an onslaught of emotions-but also visualizes the pressure the character faces in achieving difficult goals. The motive behind this piece began with my athletic career in the beginning of adolescence: I never felt that I belonged in my school volleyball team because the others were more athletically gifted and experienced than me. I was on the verge of quitting, however through being inspired by the professionals, I knew I wanted to be among the best. I trained everyday under the hot summer sun, forcing myself to break through the pain; despite feeling that I had made no progress- depicted by the distress on the figure’s face in the drawing- I’m now in a high achieving club team, and I wanted this drawing to portray a piece in the journey I took in order to reach where I am today, where I’m still striving to be the best I can be.

A piece based on Jinping Xi’s pet project to create an auspicious, Beijing-like, sanctuary city in the rural area of Xiong’an. At the end of July of 2023, floods Xiong'an. To protect his vision, Jinping Xi ordered to release stored floodwater, drowning several surrounding rural villages– including the residents. The red thread represents a blueprint of Beijing, elevated above the rest like China’s “Red Nobility.” The string remains nearly untouched, 2D, and idealistic. Similarly, the all-white city of Xiong’an crafted with paper is also seemingly 2D from an aerial view– until light hits like a flood, revealing the stark contrast between unaffected visions and an impacted reality. How untouched do the elite of society remain, even with the power to control those below them? Maps are items that hold natural beauty with the curves and intersections of every road. However, these roads are also artificial, manmade, cruelly carved into the earth.

In my process, I was interested in how highlights using white color pencil can be accentuated on a toned paper surface, so I used black and white color pencil to shade up a composition where a mannequin was turned away from a lamp while sitting on a vase. The inanimate object poses away from the light in a humanistic way, intended to evoke thought about what the ambiguous scene may represent. As I drew, I realized I could add a focus by using vibrant blues and greens for the fallen vase, so that the eyes are first drawn towards the iridescent green vase, then led up towards the mannequin. In my composition, I tried to maintain a ratio following the rule of thirds to make it more appealing to the eye.

This piece uses shapes and balance to give a feeling of peace. The circles have a green color to represent the nature and the black at the bottom represents all the evil in life and how darkness always exists.Creating this piece warranted a lot of emotions being channeled into the art as it was a time where the stress of school was starting to build up. Overall making the torus shapes and creating an abstract artwork allowed me to express my inner battles with the darkness in life.

As an artist, I am on a quest to explore the intricate tapestry of identity and self-expression, not only within myself but also within the world at large. My work is a mirror reflecting human existence, an exploration of the intersection of identity and culture. The canvas, for me, is both a sanctuary and a battleground, a place where I can confront my innermost fears and desires, a place where I can celebrate my most authentic self. Growing up in a Chinese household, I strived to incorporate this irreplaceable facet of my identity into my artwork; references to Chinese artists are evident throughout my pieces. Each painting or drawing showcases a part of myself, from my rawest emotions to the things I admire. As I create, I am aware of the responsibility that falls on my shoulders. It is not merely about leaving a mark on a canvas, but rather about leaving an imprint on the hearts and minds of those who encounter my art. I seek to stir emotions, provoke thought, and inspire change. Through my work, I hope to challenge preconceived notions, celebrate diversity, and contribute to a more harmonious and accepting society, leaving a legacy that elevates understanding and enriches the world.

This painting bears a strong cultural connection to my visit to India, where I captured a memorable photograph. In this painting, I focused on the decorative arches, intricate carvings on pillars, and the friezes that showcased the richness and cultural significance of the architecture. These elements were vital in not only rendering the scene faithfully but also in conveying the cultural depth and intricacies of the subject matter. In this painting, I focused on the proportionality of objects, sizing the architectural moment in relation to its surroundings, which included the bushes, the street lamp, and the distant buildings. This attention to proportion contributed to the overall logicality of the piece. I also considered the interplay of the light source and the shadows on the edges of the building by using darker shades of brown, creating a three dimensional effect. Furthermore, I dedicated myself to capturing the intricate textural details found in the sand-covered, pebbled ground, the colorful designs on the roof and even the leaf-like texture in the bushes. This was accomplished by blending multiple shades of base color and layering them to create depth and texture within the scene.