We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Xianglong Li a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Xianglong, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I find immense pleasure in the process of creating art. Often, once a piece is finished, it signals the completion of that particular phase for me. It’s likely that I won’t revisit it for quite some time because, as an artist, my greatest satisfaction comes from the act of crafting the art itself, rather than from sending it off to galleries or exhibiting it in white cube spaces. Beyond being an artist, I’ve explored various roles: designing graphic advertisements for tobacco companies, managing an art gallery, and serving as an art director, organizing a variety of artistic events in a diverse art space. To me, the essence of work lies in the continual pursuit of new experiences in life. Having a regular job doesn’t necessarily stifle an artist’s creativity. Life is a tapestry woven from these scattered, mundane threads, and it’s all about how you weave them together and whether they contribute to your next meaningful endeavor.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My artworks serve as a vibrant portrayal of my lifestyle, expressed through a visual language. Just as some people choose to document their lives through journaling, I’ve opted for brushes and canvases as my medium. Standing before a canvas, I relish the opportunity to craft a world of my imagination—a process like to exploration, where I embark on a journey armed with my creative tools and the blank canvas before me.

I still recall my first design job in New York, where I created graphic ads mainly using meme for a tobacco company. It was a novel experience for me, the enjoyment of crafting ads infused with the humor and memes prevalent in social media and daily conversations was truly exhilarating.

Drawing from this professional experience, I’ve integrated those lessons into my personal creations. That’s why you’ll find my paintings resembling diary entries—fragmented yet narratively cohesive.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Art is a medium that maximizes the expression of an artist’s unique trait and personality. Even if a art piece is non-linear, having a conversation or spending time with the artist could give you a chance to know why they create such works. For me, as a creator, the rewarding aspect come from connecting with people who resonate with my energy through art. It saves me time and effort by naturally attracting like-minded individuals and filtering out those who may not vibe with me. Art speaks truth, and so do its audience.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I think as an artist, it’s essential not to overthink. Sometimes, you just have to go with your gut instincts and let your creativity take the lead. Art is about being impulsive. If you want your artwork to convey certain messages or themes clearly, I believe the artist behind it should be someone who are not fun. Otherwise, life might seem pretty dull. It’s a truth I wish I had known before diving into the art world.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.xianglongli.com/
• Instagram: @wakeupdragon