As an artist, it’s important to cultivate a sense of self-assurance and belief in oneself, particularly during moments of uncertainty. For example, when I had just graduated, I felt uneasy because I may no longer receive the same level of feedback from professors. But I believe that by remaining focused on working to the best of your ability, you can avoid the pitfalls of self-doubt.
As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Jesse Liu.
Jesse Liu grew up in Beijing, China, then came to South Carolina for high school. She is a graduate of the esteemed School of Visual Arts New York, where she majored in illustration. Liu’s mesmerizing paintings are illusionary — blending together her imagined world with small fragments of her personal memories and emotions. Her inspiration for each work comes from a fascination with the concept of memory, itself a product of subjective consciousness — memories are more about recording emotions at a specific moment rather than an object fact. When she paints, she connects her reflected moments to the present day. People who are lost in one reality appear in this painted one, longing or playing, hiding or seeking, uncomfortable or blissful.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Painting has always been my passion and the driving force behind my artistic career. When I was younger, I often struggled with negative thoughts and feelings of anxiety. But whenever I picked up a pencil or paintbrush, those negative emotions disappeared, and I found myself feeling calm and relaxed. Gradually, art became a strategic way for me to process my emotions, further evoking my desire to become an artist. As a person who is not good at expressing myself in words, painting is a bridge for me to connect with the outside world. I love nothing more than spending my days in my studio, immersing myself in my art, and letting the emotions guide me. For me, there was never any doubt that I was destined to become an artist.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I had a rare opportunity to visit the studio of a contemporary painter whom I had always admired. But I was really nervous, from the moment I entered the door, I stumbled over my words and completely forgot how to speak English, and my body started to sweat like I was in a sauna. It wasn’t until the conversation was over and I went to use the bathroom that I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, noticing two large and very obvious watermarks on the armpit area of my light blue shirt.
What are the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Tell us about your exhibition.
I recently completed my largest painting to date, which incorporates both reflections of figures in mirrors and the refraction of light in nature. Additionally, the curatorial team and I are collaborating on ways to create a unique atmosphere for my upcoming exhibition, where visitors can fully immerse themselves in my artwork. This is my first solo exhibition, curated by Yiwei Lu. The exhibition opens on March 4th, 2:00–5:00 PM, at Yiwei Gallary, 1350 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291. I have been preparing for this exhibition since September last year. The inspiration for my upcoming exhibition is a combination of my cherished memories and my imaginative vision. Each painting is inspired by a different fragment of my past experiences, with figures in each piece alluding to the stories that took place during those moments. My color pallet also changes according to different scenes to capture the feeling under that specific moment. The primary subjects in my paintings are women because I have received a great deal of encouragement and support from the women around me. When I paint, I’m rejoining those moments in a present way. People who are lost in one reality appear in this painted one, longing or playing, hiding or seeking.
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?
I had an interesting group of friends while I was living in New York. We would often secretly observe pedestrians walking on the street and imagine the stories behind each of them. And sometimes when we walked home at night, we sang loudly to combat the fear of darkness.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Can you share a story about that?
My inspiration is drawn from a variety of sources, such as my personal experiences and the beauty of the world around me, or anything that evokes strong emotions are sources of my inspiration. For instance, when I went to the beach with my friends at night, we were surrounded by the glowing light of the full moon. At that moment, I was struck by a vivid image of us as a group of mystical night elves, basking in the moon’s enchanting radiance. Moments like these inspire me to capture the essence of these experiences through my art.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
This exhibition marks the beginning of my career. I have dedicated countless hours of hard work to this exhibition, and I’m thrilled to share my passion with the world. I have encouraged others to pursue their own dream, hoping that they can be as inspired as I had been by many mentors, friends, and loved ones who have supported me along the way.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
As an artist, it’s important to cultivate a sense of self-assurance and belief in oneself, particularly during moments of uncertainty. For example, when I had just graduated, I felt uneasy because I may no longer receive the same level of feedback from professors. But I believe that by remaining focused on working to the best of your ability, you can avoid the pitfalls of self-doubt.
Being able to identify your passions and strengths as an artist is important. I have always been drawn to painting, dedicating myself to regular practice on a daily basis. I found that time seems to slip away effortlessly when I am fully immersed in creating art.
Developing self-promotion skills is essential for independent artists. It is important to cultivate the ability to advocate for yourself and your work. This involves being comfortable discussing your art and actively seeking out opportunities to participate in a variety of art-related activities. By doing so, you can create more avenues for exposure and cultivate a professional reputation in the art community.
As an artist, it is important to be attentive to the details of life and capture those meaningful moments that evoke your emotion. By constantly recording such experiences, they can serve as a rich source of inspiration for your artistic endeavors. Through this process, you can transform ordinary moments into something extraordinary.
Create a personalized system for working and learning that suits your unique needs. Everyone is distinct and may require different approaches based on their habits and preferences. For instance, I find that I am most productive at night, and I benefit from setting personal deadlines to prevent procrastination.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-）
I hope my paintings will inspire women worldwide to embrace their unique beauty and feel empowered to express themselves freely. The figures in my painting possess delicate distinctions in physical features, whether it be slender limbs, sculptural curves, or fuller figures, they are all beautiful in their own exceptional ways.
We have been blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she just might see this.
Lady Gaga, her songs give me strength during tough times. Her performances demonstrate rich emotions, bursting with a strong passion for music, and that motivated me to courageously pursue my own passion.
What is the best way our readers can follow you on social media?
Follow me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/jessejingart/?hl=en
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Jesse Liu: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.