Meet YANYAN OUYANG | Artist

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

Hi YANYAN, what inspires you?
On the one hand, my inspiration comes from life, where most of my inspiration comes from. Almost all the time in my life is spent on painting and life itself. The two are entwined almost inseparably. Suppose life is a process of gaining; Then painting is a process of releasing. This process is a bit like breathing, exhaling and inhaling to make life balanced and calm. The other hand comes from the philosophy of some other outstanding artists. When I encounter a bottleneck in my work, I often look up or listen to other artists’ creative paths. I am a rather emotional person, and in this process, I can easily put myself in their shoes to experience their feelings. Although this feeling may be different from other artists, in the end I also gain. It further stimulates and opens up my own thinking, which leads to inspiration.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born in an ordinary family but also born extraordinary. I’m good at creative things and rebellion. I prefer to challenge myself in the path of art. I often think about the difference between myself and those already successful masters of art. I know I have the potential to succeed like them and even surpass them. Only I have to find the right way and then work hard. I know it’s tough to get the world to see my art, but who knows what the future holds? So I just need always stay curious. What I am most proud of and excited about is that each completed piece makes me realize that I can reach my current level of professionalism through constant practice and study. But what also frustrates me is that after a short period of excitement, I am no longer satisfied with the work, which means I have a higher self-imposed challenge. I encounter a temporary bottleneck in every creative process, and the pressure can be intense. I usually give myself a complete break, try to clear my mind and relax, then review the work with a new perspective and continue painting.

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 just moved to this city half a year ago, and I don’t know much about it yet. But Los Angeles is well known enough as the second-largest city in the United States, and I had heard about its excellence. I can’t list all the names and details, but I know where we should go. I would take my friends to visit art galleries and museums; Los Angeles is a city full of cultural treasures. I would take my friends for a drive, knowing that the city itself is a landscape of great beauty. Los Angeles is a giant playground with mountains and ocean, full of interesting people and all kinds of fun places to visit. I would also take my friend to eat all kinds of food, and he would be impressed by the richness of the food that comes from the diverse culture that makes it so memorable.

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 want to shout out to my husband. He is a photography artist, and I am inseparable from him in both life and art. There are good sides and negative influences. Thankfully the positive impacts have been the majority, and such is life. He was more like a close friend to me. He understands me very well and is very supportive and appreciative of me, which I am particularly proud of. I often feel lonely and miserable when I am painting. I confide in him when I encounter these emotions, and he usually resonates with me. This kind of empathy means – a connection (understanding me), not just the kind of mindless support a husband gives to his wife. So this makes me feel especially happy and instantly able to come out of my loss. You know it’s easier to find people to support you. You just need to make your art career extraordinary through continuous efforts, and people who like you will naturally support you. But they may not always understand you. Finding someone who supports you and understands you is like winning the lottery. I’m thankful I won one and that I married him. Another thing to be grateful for is my children, who have come to give me a greater sense of purpose. They are my miracle.

Website: www.yyoy.art

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