Meet Richard Liu | Hyperrealism Artist

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

Hi Richard, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Pennsylvania, but I’ve lived across the U.S.—in California, Virginia, and Maryland—as well as in Fuzhou, China. Moving between such distinct environments exposed me to a wide range of cultures, traditions, and artistic influences from an early age. Growing up between Chinese and American cultures, I experienced two very different ways of seeing and understanding the world—whether it was through language, rituals, or artistic traditions.

This duality naturally shaped my artistic practice. My work is often driven by contrasts—black and white versus color, realism versus abstraction, symbolism versus direct representation. Even the materials I use, like traditional Chinese gongbi watercolor and Western graphite, reflect this balance. But despite these contrasts, I’ve always been drawn to harmony. My upbringing taught me how to bring opposing elements together—whether in art or in life—to create something unified and visually cohesive. That’s the core of my artistic voice: embracing differences but finding ways to make them work in harmony.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is deeply personal—it’s something I create for myself first. The process is meditative, giving me a sense of purpose and grounding, especially through the many moves and transitions in my life. No matter where I was—whether in the U.S. or China—art remained a constant, a familiar space where I could explore my identity and express the contrasts I’ve experienced growing up between two cultures.

The journey to where I am today hasn’t always been easy. Like any artist, I’ve faced doubt, creative blocks, and the challenge of defining my own voice. But I’ve learned that growth comes from discomfort, and that persistence is key. The most important lesson I’ve embraced is to stay true to my artistic vision—because at the end of the day, creating art is what keeps me centered and connected to who I am.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Admittedly I don’t go out and explore too much I’m always locked in with my works, but a fun three day trip would be:

Day 1: Iconic LA Views & Eats

Spend the afternoon at Griffith Observatory, soaking in the city views and catching the sunset.
End the night with xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung, because no trip is complete without it.

Day 2: Arts & Culture

Visit The Broad Museum for contemporary art.
Walk around Little Tokyo, stopping at cute shops and grabbing matcha from Tea Master.
Finish the day with some Korean BBQ.

Day 3: Beach Day & Boba

Head to Santa Monica Pier.
Grab Chicha boba tea on the way back—one of my favorite spots.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my family, and especially my mom. She has always been my biggest supporter, encouraging me to pursue art even when the path wasn’t always clear. She didn’t just support me, she actively pushed me forward, making sure I had the right opportunities, from taking me to art lessons to finding mentors who helped shape my journey.

Website: https://www.richardliuart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rliu01/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-liu-462baa180/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RichardLiuArt

Image Credits
I have credits to all images.