Danni Shinya Luo

Age 26

Email: dshinya@gmail.com

Website: dshinya.blogspot.com

1. What type of medium do you work with and explain how you use it? (Paint, design, photography, collage)

I work mainly with watercolor and ink. I also will use other mixed medium with watercolor from time to time, these materials include things such as wax, pigment powder, plastic film…etc. I paint with these materials on various types of watercolor papers.

2. What was your main interest in producing this artwork, or is there a statement you wanted to convey?

Each of the paintings I create has an idea, message or story behind them, I do not believe in creating meaningless images just for the visual. These messages or stories are usually something that I feel very strong about. Something that moved me at one moment. As an artist, I feel that it is my job to present that certain feeling or concept to others through the images I create. So I can bring awareness to that idea, hoping that it may one day touch another mind.

3. Tell us about your creative process, do you have any rituals, routines you follow? How does your artwork come together? (Do you use found objects, image banks, etc)

I am always on the look out for new ideas. I try to pay attention to new ideas and concepts I encounter in my day to day life. When I do find an intriguing subject matter, I will remember it and let it develop for a period of time in my head. After a while, I would go back to that idea, with the addition of my own personal interpretations and experiences.

4. How did you get started with your artistic career?

I was under an apprenticeship with a very old Chinese watercolor artist. After a few years of studying with him, I attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. I’ve been painting watercolor ever since.

5. What would you say is one of your greatest accomplishments?

I believe my greatest accomplishment is always the next one. There is never the greatest, but always greater. I think the artist should always try to improve and push his or her own limits. Currently I’m happy with my explorations in the human psyche. The conflicts and tensions of the human emotions is complicated and deeply meaningful. I do my best to reflect that in my paintings.

6. Where does your inspiration come from? Or is there any particular movement, artwork or artist you find yourself influenced by?

I find my inspirations through the beauty of the female figure, beauty of nature, human fears and obsessions, psychological tensions, current events, music, and eclectic fashion. These are all topics that have strong influences on me, so I try to discuss my personal point of view of them in different paintings.

7. How do you see your artwork evolving from now?

Currently I am working on adding more elements to enhance the whole emotional atmosphere of my paintings. I want to achieve this through the backgrounds and the expressive poses of the figures in the paintings. The goal is to create more intense images, to push the boundaries