Meet Adele Chen | Portrait Artist & Live Event Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adele Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adele, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
On the surface level, Reincarnation Paintings is a painting business, but when most of my clients come to me for a commission, what they’re really asking for is to turn a story, a feeling, an abstractness into something tangible. The pieces that come off my easel with the most ‘success’ are the ones that came to me just as a story, not as a sketch. I’ve had clients who approach me with only a story of their loss, a happy recollection of a conversation, or an appreciation for someone special; I listen to these stories and help weave their favorite elements and thoughts into a portrait, adding little ‘easter eggs’ that spark memories. I love the idea that a painting can be consumed at surface level by strangers, but also hold deeper meaning for the person it was intended for; it reminds me of how important it is to stop and stare for a little longer at a painting or have a deeper conversation with those around us to uncover all the hidden symbols in each other. Super cheesy, I know, but I think what makes my art successful is the ability to tell and celebrate stories, and not just to create technically good art.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I first started Reincarnation Paintings, I intended only to paint silly portraits of people and their pets, but as my portfolio developed, new opportunities and ideas presented themselves. I would receive specific requests from clients, or come across interesting materials that I challenged myself to paint on. The best decision I ever made was not to let my original ‘concept’ of a business limit the art I could create, in fact some of my best selling products birthed themselves from experiments. I’m constantly adding new things into my offerings (portraits painted on vinyl records, denim jackets, mini ornaments, gigantic murals, ripped out magazine pages, embroidery hoops, pumpkins, etc). I just started diving into live event painting, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what new ideas I’ll find in the upcoming years.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love hidden gems! I would start with brunch in the Riverside Mission Inn courtyard, and explore all the hallways and balconies there. I take them to an escape room at the Irvine Spectrum, do some rooftop dining/ day drinking in LA, maybe do an afternoon tea at a local tea shop. Secret bars are a must, so I would go down to the Blind Rabbit in Anaheim. But I’d probably never tell them where we’re going and just show up at each surprise location.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will never not bring up my best friend Connie Cheng. When I first started, I painted my friends for free to build my portfolio. She was the first person who refused a painting from me unless I let her pay full price. It was such a small gesture for her, but it meant the world to me that someone I loved demanded on my behalf that I should be taken seriously. Every artist experiences ‘imposter syndrome’ because art in general is so subjective; so, I am truly blessed to have an amazing support network who validate me, from fellow entrepreneurs, like my co-hustler Courtney Smith (of Ziarix Media) who nominated me for this interview, to my friend Karina Martinez who has purchased my paintings for every gifting occasion possible, to my amazing boyfriend Jayson Simmons who plays body guard/ food runner/ paint assistant when I’m trying to complete a wall mural in 12 hours, and of course my family Ron, Sunny and Emmy who unconditionally encouraged my creativity.

Website: www.reincarnationpaintings.com

Instagram: @reincarnation_paintings

Other: For commission requests, live event bookings, or just general chit chat, you can email me at reincarnationpaintings@gmail.com

Image Credits
Picture of Adele holding Vinyl record up to her face: Credit Alex Peng / @alexxpeng