We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Fangzi Luo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Fangzi below.

Hi Fangzi, thanks for joining us today. What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

The best investment I’ve made, in terms of time, was spending three months during a summer vacation learning Chinese Lacquer (大漆), a traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage art. This ‘lacquer’ is not industrial paint, but pure natural sap tapped from lacquer trees, making it very precious due to its scarcity.

Lacquerware is renowned for its slow, complex, and ritualistic crafting process. Having become accustomed to the fast-paced life in New York City, this practice allowed me to truly ‘slow down,’ feel the accumulation of time, and appreciate the sense of ritual found in nature and the creative process.

I was very satisfied with the overall effect and the colors of the final piece I created. In my work titled “Mountains and Rivers” (山水), I drew inspiration from China’s continuous mountainous landscapes. Using Daqi, this thousand-year-old Eastern medium, combined with delicate techniques like eggshell inlay, mother-of-pearl inlay (螺钿), and gold leaf, I constructed an abstract landscape that felt as though it was slowly formed over time.

This experience played out beautifully, not just in the final artwork, but in the personal shift it brought. The key lesson I learned was the profound value of slowing down and immersing myself in a process. It taught me patience, the appreciation of meticulous craft, and the beauty that can emerge when you allow things to develop without rush, a stark contrast to the often instantaneous results we seek in modern life. It was an investment that paid dividends in mindfulness, skill, and a deeper connection to cultural heritage.

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.

Hello everyone! My name is Fangzi Luo. I am a Chinese artist based in New York, currently pursuing a BFA in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), class of 2026. It’s great to meet you all here! I picked up a paintbrush at a very young age, and I didn’t hesitate once to choose an art college for university.

I work with mixed-media installations, paintings, electronic modern paintings, and graphic design. Currently, my artistic creations are more focused on exploring the fluid, expansive brushstrokes and profound thoughts within my inner self. I enjoy combining these multi-media approaches in my work.

Recently, I created a series of works titled ‘Sheep’. This series is imbued with my reflections on the social dilemmas faced by women and the concept of ‘newborn’ life. I delve into the complexities of maternal relationships, childbearing, and reproduction, as well as my own philosophical thoughts on identity as a woman and a human, and the bold desire to break free from these confines with a sense of ease and confidence. The brushstrokes, which flow with my mood, also aim to express a feeling of ‘wildness & freedom’.

As the U.S. Cultural and Artistic Promotion Ambassador for Wuhan National Lacquer Co., Ltd., I am particularly invested in exploring the fusion of traditional and modern materials. For example, in some previous work, I incorporated traditional Chinese lacquer as a medium for my artistic expression. This special material has strict requirements for the working environment, such as temperature, humidity, and the climate of the current season. I worked with it for three months, which truly allowed me to slow down and feel the purest beauty of art.

Beyond my studio practice, my experience includes working as an assistant at the New York Contemporary Art Center, interning at CultureLab LIC, and serving as an art instructor in various educational institutions in New York. I have exhibited at RIVVA Gallery (New York), SVA Chelsea Gallery (New York), SVA Flatiron Windows (New York), and Horizon South Gallery (China), and collaborated with the designer toy brand Jotoys.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to truly perceive and experience the world from a distinct perspective. It’s like having a different kind of filter – seeing the simple beauty of morning mist and flowing water, noticing the intriguing patterns of light and shadow even just looking through my fingers, or finding unexpected images emerging from my dreams. These everyday moments become the sparks, the raw material, the inspiration for my art. This constant discovery, this way of seeing inspiration everywhere, brings me a deep sense of happiness.

Beyond that personal experience, there’s the wonderful reward of connecting with others through my portraits. When I paint a cute or realistic portrait for someone, seeing the genuine joy and light in their eyes when they look at the finished piece is incredibly moving to me.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

New York City is truly brimming with art resources, offering endless opportunities for artists.

Institutions like the Society of Illustrators regularly host art events, such as life drawing sessions and other activities that foster community and learning among artists.

For opportunities ranging from open calls and grants to residencies, the NYFA (New York Foundation for the Arts) website serves as an essential platform, connecting artists with crucial funding and exposure.

And for anyone looking to sharpen their fundamental drawing skills, especially figure drawing and gesture practice, www.Line of Action is an excellent online resource!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fangziart.com
• Instagram: fie_art_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fangzi-luo-9361bb34b/