We were lucky to catch up with Mengyi (Grace) Wang recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mengyi (Grace), thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I am an international artist focusing on acrylic on canvas and I started exploring different art mediums as a child, including painting, drawing, calligraphy, photography, filmmaking, and seal carving. Growing up, I learned to do what I do through a combination of formal education, hands-on experimentation, and drawing inspiration from the cultures, experiences, and communities I’ve been a part of. My dual BAs in Art and Film & Media Studies at UC Irvine gave me a foundation in creative expression, while my master’s degrees in Global Communication at LSE and USC helped me understand the narrative and cultural dynamics that I now blend into my art. Beyond academia, my cross-cultural journey has been shaped by constant practice, self-reflection, and seeking inspiration from my surroundings whether it’s admiring nature, walking around local parks, or exploring museums and galleries.

While on this artistic journey, I realize that the key to speeding up my learning process lies in consistent practice. Practice constantly helps me to improve skills and leads to tangible results. Practice also teaches me about patience and resilience and the practice process reflects my growth as an artist from a small paper sketch to a large scale canvas.

One of the most essential skills in my journey is adaptability – the ability to tell stories visually, after having lived in different countries and a willingness to explore and experiment with new concepts and techniques. It has allowed me to build my painting series by blending modern impressionism with traditional Chinese art and has also developed my unique artistic voice.

Mengyi (Grace), love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a cross-cultural contemporary artist focusing on acrylic on canvas. My artworks present a lens of narrative storytelling that spans the past, present, and future, to which I have a strong personal connection, such as memories, experiences, and the influences that have inspired me. Nature, animals, and landscape are frequently featured as central elements in my paintings.

My painting series “When Modern Impressionism Meets Traditional Chinese Art” is the main body of work I am best known for, which I combine two different art styles and fusion relationships together to reflect my cross-cultural heritage. Under the influence of my unique cross-cultural background, it has shaped me as an artist and also set me and my artworks apart from others. Born in China, lived in the UK, and residing in the U.S., I absorb the tremendousness of the historical capital, the glamourness of classic art and the fantasy of Disneyland. This painting, along with others in the series, reflects my artistic voice and bridges my cultural experiences. In this series, I honor my roots while embracing new influences to create a healing process with balanced color palettes featuring various green hues as well as vivid pink and purple shades. These warm tones aim to offer a healing viewing experience and invite the viewers to a calm and positive journey no matter where they are when engaging with these pieces.

Throughout my artistic journey, I am very grateful for the awards, features and opportunities I have received locally, nationally, and internationally. I am grateful that my paintings have been featured in globally-distributed media including the UK-originated Artist Talk Magazine, the Ukraine-based Artwork Gallery, the Netherlands-printed Visual Art Journal, and Spain-based Al-Tiba9 Contemporary Art Magazine.

Being able to exhibit my work globally, including the U.S., Canada, and the UK is an absolute highlight of my artistic journey, especially participating in the 2024 International Exhibition of Calligraphy & Painting to showcase along with all other international artists from over 40 countries in Canada hosted by the cross-border art association, the Canadian National Artists Association (CNAA). It was an extraordinary honor to have my painting showcased along with master artists, such as Fan Zeng and Yushun Lu, whose works I have admired ever since childhood.

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

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the ability to connect with audiences through my work and create something that resonates emotionally or intellectually. Art has this incredible power to evoke memories and foster a sense of shared understanding. It is deeply fulfilling to know that my paintings can touch someone’s heart and inspire them. My paintings are currently on view at the Huntington Beach Art Center as part of their Centered on the Center 2025 exhibition to celebrate 30 years of this cultural center. I am very grateful for this incredible opportunity for my work to reach the communities and audiences who share similar cultural backgrounds and create connections with minority communities living in North America. It’s deeply special to directly communicate with audiences face to face and answer their questions and also beyond meaningful to showcase my visual storytelling art in a space that celebrates diverse perspectives and shared experiences.

Another rewarding milestone of my artistic journey was having my painting selected as the cover feature of the Netherlands-printed Visual Art Journal for its Issue #15. Being chosen among 45 international artists for this recognition was an honor that underscored the global reach and impact of my art. It was an incredible experience to see my work resonate beyond borders, connecting with audiences worldwide.

On the other side, the freedom to express my thoughts, emotions, and experiences through a visual language that is beyond words is profoundly gratifying. Every painting, every challenge, and every recognition teaches me something new about myself, my artwork, and the world around me. It is always an ongoing journey of growth and connection for myself and I am more than motivated to continue creating.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My journey is deeply driven by the goal of building cross-cultural connections and creating art that resonates on both personal and collective levels. As a cross-cultural contemporary artist, I aim to bridge my heritage and the influences that I have embraced through my journey living in China, the UK, and the U.S. By blending modern impressionism with traditional Chinese art, I strive to tell stories that reflect identity, memory, and shared experiences.

One of my biggest goals is to continue sharing my paintings with audiences who may find a piece of their own story within mine. Showcasing my paintings at the Huntington Beach Art Center, as part of their Centered on the Center 2025 exhibition, has been incredibly meaningful. I aspire to connect more deeply with local communities as well as broader audiences, particularly those who share similar or cross-cultural backgrounds.

Ultimately, my mission is to use art as a medium for healing, connection, and understanding. Through my art of narrative storytelling, I hope to leave a lasting impact – one brushstroke at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mengyigracewang.wixsite.com/arts
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracewangsart/
• Other: https://visualartjournal.com/2024/12/30/issue-15-december-2024/
  https://artworkgallery.net/art-magazine-issue10/
  https://www.artisttalkmagazine.com/issue-35
  https://www.altiba9.com/platfrom-interviews-for-artists/mengyi-wang-painting-acrylic-nature-chinese-art?rq=mengyi

Image Credits

Shu Li
Visual Art Journal, Issue 15