I am Taiwanese American with a Master’s Degree in Art. I am also a retired art educator living in California, and I paint primarily in oil.
Being Taiwanese American and straddling these two cultures have allowed me to see similarities and conflicts which inform and influence my paintings. Ever since becoming an educator, I have always encouraged my students to strive to become the best that they can be; encouraging their self- empowerment to take charge and change the world for the better.
Therefore, in my paintings I am constantly drawn toward depicting strong figures to demonstrate to my viewers that we can indeed leave this world a better place than how we found it.
As an art teacher, I always loved to tell the stories of paintings and the histories behind them. My lectures and recitations have instilled in me a strong affinity for the myths of different cultures, which in turn has influenced the ideas in my paintings. I use strong colors to convey deep, sharp feelings, to connect with the struggle.
My use of color and composition is influenced by the baroque style of art, which is characterized by self-confidence and dynamism. I paint figures which enable me to exaggerate their muscles, an expression of force and power.
Mei-Ying