ABOUT WENWEN'S ART

"I want to create a feeling of peacefulness in the people that view my art. The world is full of commotion and I want my work to be a place where they can take a break and find themselves.” -Wenwen Liao
 

I grew up in a seaside city in the south of China where I started developing my artistic tastes. I was influenced by my father who specialized in Chinese painting. I followed my passion for art by going to the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing where I graduated in animation and film. I furthered my studies by moving to the United States and attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) where I got my Master of Fine Arts. After graduating, I found a job as a graphic designer. During that time, I worked at developing my artistic painting style on the side and people seemed to love what I was doing. When covid hit, I was laid off. It was the opportunity I was looking for to pursue my passion for painting.

 

I've spent my entire life creating Chinese paintings. Traditional Chinese paintings have specific rules and styles to follow. My desire is to break away from that structure while still maintaining the foundation of its origin. I try to give it a more modern feel that people can relate to. I am passionate about giving people a sense of peace. I accomplish that through the eyes of children and their innocence. I want to remind people of simpler times in their lives when things were not as complicated. I'm inspired by their love of animals, wonder of nature and whimsical imagination. My background as an animator comes out in my work through the incorporation of motion. I want my work to come across as a frame in a story. For the viewer to be able to imagine the story beyond what's in the painting.