Rick Li (b. October 2001) is a Chinese artist who graduated with a Fine Arts degree from Ringling College of Art and Design in 2025. He began his artistic journey at age 14 with two years of professional painting training, subsequently developing his skills in oil painting and digital media (Photoshop, Procreate) through self-directed study.

After relocating to the U.S. for his university education, Li has focused on painting while simultaneously exploring Buddhist and Taoist philosophies. These spiritual inquiries significantly inform his artistic practice, which synthesizes his Chinese cultural heritage with contemporary Western approaches. His work represents an ongoing exploration of identity and self-expression, characterized by the fusion of Eastern philosophical traditions with Western technical methodologies.

Can you tell us about your background and how you started your artistic journey?

I was born and raised in Beijing, China. I have lived here for twenty years. I always like to draw when I was little. I studied sketching and color theory for two years in junior school. After laying a certain foundation in art skills, I began to explore my own style beyond practicing. My parents and friends have always supported me. I decided to study abroad when I was in high school and graduated from the Fine Art major of Ringling College of Art and Design this year. I have benefited a lot during my four years in college, I have been exposed to many Western cultures and art, and experienced many media and materials other than traditional painting. Gradually, I have found my own expression and style.

How do you stay in inspired and motivation to create new work?

I remember that in the book “Art and Fear”, it was mentioned that artists would feel anxious when they haven’t been creating for a period of time. I can relate to this feeling. I can’t recall exactly when it started, but whenever I stop painting for a while, I will be living with this anxiety. This feeling has compelled me to be more proactive in seeking things in life worth creating and constantly training my eyes to improve my aesthetic

I still remember the first time I used an airbrush to depict nature. It was simply because I often relax under a big tree outside the studio, and I was very fond of the scene of sunlight filtering through the thick leaves at around seven or eight in the morning. So I gave it a try, without any expectations for the outcome. When I finished, I really liked the painting. So I did more, and the art critics that followed constantly helped me organize my inner impulses into logical thoughts. After painting many such scenes, I came to understand how I view nature and myself.

These small scenes from life keep accumulating in my mind until the right time comes, I will present them to my audience..

How has your artistic style evolved over time?

It depends on my current life experience, which is mostly unrelated to art. As the things around me change over time, the content I want to express also changes. Many artists seek answers to life’s questions through painting, but my experience is the opposite. After I have accumulated a certain amount of life experience, I will paint with answers, and my art style evolved with my different life stage.

In what ways do you see your practice as a dialogue between Eastern and Western painting traditions?

I once heard a lecture by a Chinese philosophy professor about the different views of nature between the East world and the West. He believed that Westerners have a natural tendency to conquer nature, while Easterners advocate the harmony between man and nature. My understanding of philosophy and the East and West is still very limited, so I’m not sure if I agree with his view, but it gives me a new perspective to interpret the art of the East and the West.

In Western art, I saw endless creativity. Many paintings of nature are pursuing different media and the effort to break away from stereotypes. Artists subjectively reshaped nature based on reality. Easterners, on the other hand, highly summarize and organize nature, using blank spaces and brushstrokes to restore the spiritual image of nature in people’s hearts to the greatest extent.

Because I have lived in China for a long time, I naturally use the easterner way to understand nature. But during my four years of study in the United States, I have felt the beauty of creation more than once. Instead of trying to paint the truth of nature, I now create nature in my art. These two different feelings confront and blend in my works. I will not give up the true description of the real world. Nevertheless, I gradually open myself up and try different media and compositions with my own understanding, presenting them in a more novel and subjective way.

What challenges have you face as an artist , and how have you overcome them?

For a long time, I didn’t consider myself an artist and reluctant to show my work to others. When I had to display my works, I would point out many technical issues to lower the audience’s expectations. This kind of “modesty” culture is very common in China. But other artists around me pointed this out so many times and constantly gave me confidence. Under such encouragement, I gradually became able to admit my identity as an artist, and confidently present my works to the audiences. When I made this change, I found the audience’s suggestions no longer focused on the technical issues, but helped me improve the direction and honesty of my discussion on the theme in the works. This actually gave me much greater help.

What advice would you give to emerging artists trying to establish themselves?

Most people believe that a strong vitality is needed throughout one’s life to create. I happened to have a discussion with a friend about this issue recently. I don’t think so. When an artist feels the loss of vitality, it often affects their enthusiasm for creation. But I think the empty their feeling, is also common human emotions that can be refined. Using these to create can also resonate with the audience.

I think my suggestion is: always be honest with yourself. No matter what stage you are in, don’t lose the courage to pick up the brush!

Text & photo courtesy of Rick Li