We were pleased to catch up with Ivy Wu, a contemporary artist, and have shared our conversation on her art journey.

Ivy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My love of artistic creation began in the 5th grade, the art teacher in elementary school sparked my imagination and encouraged my work. I used a sumi brush to paint literati painting in an expressive way. In fact, I still like to use a sumi brush now, with acrylic! In middle and high school, I continued my journey with lessons at Shanghai University Art School. During this period of my life, I was so caught up in painting that sometimes my mom would find me in the morning, having staid up painting all night. I felt sleep was a waste of time, painting was the best way to spend the interesting night in the sweet and bitter growth. I continued in this way for years until college. I was admitted by the China Pharmaceuticals University, and I turned my focus to becoming a science student and I ultimately found work in the Chemical industry. Although I wasn’t painting at this time, I never lost my love of art. In 2013, I quit my job, immigrated to the States, and picked up the brushes again. The artistic feelings sprouted in my youth all came back.

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

Because I am the mother of two young children, I need to incorporate my creative process into my daily life. At times, I would take the kids, their stroller, and my French easel to the park and paint plein air. At times, my artist friends and I would gather and paint together. We would visit Lake Lanier, the Chattahoochee River Reserves, and other areas of natural interest. I would experiment with different materials and methods, all while exposing my children to the natural world. I learned how to render nuances of nature’s colors by observing the color interactions at these locations. This natural exposure really enhanced the theoretical knowledge I learned in from painting stills in Shanghai. It was a move from skill to feel, and a learning curve that has been very beneficial to me. I haven’t abandoned my early experience though. The traditional Chinese literati painting continues to be a tremendous influence in my work. When I was painting plein air, I tried to capture the breath and negative space that traditional Chinese literati paintings contain, to slow down and create a trance like feeling. Ultimately, I used these works as my submission to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and was admitted with scholarship to learn painting and was the winner of 39th SCAD Sidewalk Art Festival. These successes encouraged me to pursue painting professionally.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

It’s an inner passion that motivates me to keep creating. While studying at SCAD, I made digital works, sculptures, and installations, before eventually circling back to painting again. While I gained from multidisciplinary artistic experience, painting is still my passion. I am entranced by how regardless of canvas scale, there are always unexpected sparkling details that appear outside of my control. Perhaps these unexpected moments are the result of my expressive style. When I squint, something new appears. When I take a break, and come back to the work, new feelings have emerged. There are endless possibilities on a limited canvas. The physical scale can be measured, but the evolution of the work can’t be predicted. What I try to do is humbly stay present and feel the unexpected, internal reward generated by the concentrating process.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Reading an artwork is like reading a book, eventually, you’re reading yourself. My own art is ultimately the story of my origin. As a child, I didn’t understand my connection to a certain culture. The boundaries that connection enforced were vague, trickles of streams, nourishing my young consciousness. Without my realizing it, these connections were immensely and form a part of me and my aesthetic. At the time, I didn’t understand how strong these early influences were. Now, however, as I use bright, neon shades, I am returned to my hometown. I feel the mesmerizing colors on streets and alleys, colliding, overlapping together. Especially at night, the city of nocturnes kept me awake. Buildings were lit with shattered lights, neon or muted, bright, or dim, far, or near, dancing at night. They’re the moments and memories I am capturing in my work. Shanghai is the place cultivated me and also my endless art inspirations.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ivywuART.com
• Instagram: ivy.wu.art

Image Credits
Ivy Wu