Tell a little bit about how you first got into creating art.
I always believed there were artistic genes coming from my family heritage. My grandfather was an art teacher in high school. My grandmother used to have a grocery store in the 70s, she would paint kites to sell in her grocery store. I believe if they could do it, so could I!
Why I started painting? In the summer, our house was always surrounded by hundreds of pots of flower plants, lining up from the side porch to the backyard and to the side patios. Naturally, they would all die over the winter. I was born in Malaysia, a hot climate country. The winter in New Jersey is much too harsh for me, and nothing lifts my spirits like seeing early spring flowers popping up. So, I started to paint them, not only to remember their beauty, but also memories of my home count and childhood memories.
I paint flowers because the colors of flowers and nature always bring me comfort, warmth, and hope
What artists or movements have had an impact on you?
Van Gogh and Cezanne come to mind. Monet and Piet Mondrian are also quite influential. In addition, a touch of modernism and fantasy in the works of Georgia O’Keefe.
What themes does your work involve?My love of flowers and natures has been my cornerstone painting subject, but I also keep exploring other avenues of artistry, for example, I like painting scenery with my cultural references. Often, I am moved to paint from a place I visited recently. The creation of art can be motivated by the simple aspects of scenery. For example, the color changing clouds, leaves, the different shadows of trees, the movement of the air all inspire me to transform it into art.
When your life is stuck, turn to the arts, it can't give your life direction, but it could provide some life dimension
What is important to you about the visual experiences you create?
I only paint subject matter which makes me joyful, because I want the final product to make my audiences joyful as well! My artistic creations exemplify the natural beauty of nature, but with touches of whimsy and the magic of fantasy.
I paint flowers because the colors of flowers and nature always bring me comfort, warmth, and hope. My wish is that my paintings can give my audiences that same gift as the beauty of nature affords me.
What is the significance of medium and color?
I love the color palette I use. The colors are both sensual, peaceful, and provide a magical perception coupled with the reality of nature's beauty at its best. I love bright and cheerful colors because they make my audience and me happy. When I see people have a little smile on their face while looking at my paintings, a positive energy has transferred to them, and I hope all my paintings can do that.
Do you work from memory, life, photographs, or from other resources? Describe your creative process.
I love flowers, but most flowers die in the winter. I paint them in a way to extend their existence. I paint from both the memory of a life and the reality of what I see visually.
I am a Malaysian who left to study in Taiwan and United States for work since I was 17. National identity is challenging. I paint a lot of scenery and items that say "Malaysia". This theme of personal awareness always reminds me of childhood memories.
Do you have any artistic goals for the future that you would like to share?
When I started painting, my aunt told me I am so lucky because I can chase my dream in the United States. Pursuing an artistic career is a challenge in Malaysia. The culture there doesn’t appreciate the arts as Western countries do. I hope my artistic endeavors can influence a change in that regard.
What do you consider the role of an artist today?
With all the negativity going on in the world today, life can be challenging. When your life is stuck, turn to the arts, it can't give your life direction, but it could provide some life dimension. Indeed, art can provide a spiritual shelter from the world and its misgivings.
