We recently connected with Chris Huang and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

For two consecutive years in the city of Boulder, CO, I was fortunate enough to be selected to participate in a city sponsored program named the “Creative Neighborhood Murals”. The program facilitated a collaboration between homeowners and artists to create murals on residential properties that were visible to the public. Homeowners selected regional artists to work with from a city-approved mural artist roster list. I had been living in Boulder at this point for well over 10 years and had been pretty rooted into the arts community. I was on the roster, and let the few friends I knew who were homeowners in on this great opportunity to receive a free mural from me! (my payment would come directly from the city, the homeowner would end up receiving a free mural through this program) My motivated friends got on it, had their homes selected by the city and for both years I had the opportunity to create murals through this program, I was able to create them on the homes of dear friends of mine. It remains some of my most meaningful work to have been able to produce large scale work as an artist representing the city, but perhaps most of all doing it for loved ones was very significant to me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

For over 20 years now I’ve been creating unique, hand made original artwork for people from all walks of life. I create work for any client who is interested in obtaining a piece of art. I’ve worked with art collectors, musicians, business owners, city, state governments, corporate entities, and regular people buying art for the first time. I pride myself on my ability to work with people in various situations. I feel that in nearly all scenarios, I have been able to deliver art to clients who have wanted something done, and even at times regardless of the financial situation or size of the project. We’ve always been able to figure out a fair and equitable deal to make it work for both sides. It’s important to me that my art is also accessible to enough people as well so I am willing to take on jobs both small and large in scale. In a time where many things are moving towards a more virtual or digital format, I hold firm in the irreplaceable organic quality of physically creating artwork that one can still hold, this tactile sensation remains a vital part of my natural process and its something that I intend to carry on. I think what I’m offering are objects that have been made with time and great care, that can hopefully inspire people to a deeper connection within themselves or with nature or their communities as I think a lot of artists strive to do.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me there are two rewarding aspects of being an artist. I think firstly we have to get the financial aspect out of the way, because without it, the stresses of basic survival in this world would likely overshadow so many of the other joys and make them difficult to even identify. So if you are lucky enough to have an amount of financial success in creating art that is an enormous reward in itself. The true reward for me though is some of the personal stories that have come from people who have been inspired by my art. Much of my work features animals, and the most profound stories have been from people who have lost loved ones but have found meaning in my work that contained animals that held a special connection to their loved ones who had passed. I’ve been commissioned to make custom pieces in these instances, or sometimes just the fact that they felt comfortable enough to share their personal story of loss with me was uplifting and made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile and useful.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Buy more Art! Really, its simple. Cities can commission more muralists to beautify neighborhoods, libraries, buildings, sidewalks. Cities need to make sure they are not limiting opportunities for artists by being too restrictive with business permits and in their enforcement of licenses for street vending. Cafes, restaurants, any business really with walls can hang art and become a gallery and support the Arts. First Fridays, Last Fridays. Farmers Markets, Art Markets, Art Fairs, make them accessible. I think people can also think locally first as well and try to support their community talent before surrending to the convenience of online shopping when looking for gifts. I think we can try to showcase art into more events pairing it with events like music, film, poetry, literary, food, sports, yoga, any other events that perhaps one wouldn’t necessarily think of art being a part of. In my mind, artwork rarely doesn’t enhance an experience, so why not include it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yellowlotusdesigns.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chrishuang76
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.huang.568