Growing up in a Chinese home with two accomplished calligraphers as parents, Yu-Liang (Sally) was exposed to the highest Chinese art form (書法) early in life. However, when she came to the US to attend Oregon State University, she wanted to learn about Western artistic concepts and application by choosing Art as her minor. Sally continued her interest and training in art while maintaining a full-time career in human resource development.
Upon her retirement Sally turned her focus exclusively on Chinese classical brush painting, 工筆 (Gong Bi style). Since 2002, Sally has devoted her full attention to learn about Gong Bi painting. Gong Bi painting is also described as "fine line" painting: the artist must first draw an outlline of her subject matter with very fine brush strokes. She then fills the space with watercolor pigment inside the fine lines, using several coats of application to reflect dark to light. This style of water color painting requires meticulous and elaborate brush work with multiple applications of ink, pigment and water in order to achieve color intensity.
For several years since 2009, Sally spent 3-4 months in Taipei, Taiwan in order to study with two leading Taiwanese teacher/artists, Ms. Lin Shu-Nu 林淑女 and Mr. Chang Ko-Cei 張克齊.
Using Gong Bi technique to paint flowers, birds and insects, Sally has enhanced her own esthetic and philosophical development--gaining a new appreciation for the beauty and mystery of nature. The Chinese believe that artistic pursuit is a way of cultivating one’s physical and emotional health (修身養性.) In a sense, Sally’s total absorption in Gong Bi painting has become a form of self-cultivation for her.
As a member of Oregon Society of Artists, Sally has exhibited her paintings at OSA, the Asian Health and Service Center, Color Pencils, and Collins Gallery, Visage Eyewear Gallery, and Multinomah Arts Center, Concordia University in Portland; Beaverton Arts Council Festival; and Gold Beach Art Festival in Gold Beach, OR.
Since 2016, Sally has been a member of the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society in Colorado Springs, CO. One of her paintings was chosen for the 2019 International Watermedia Exhibition. Another painting was chosen for exhibition at the Southern Colorado Watercolor Society annual show.
Upon her retirement Sally turned her focus exclusively on Chinese classical brush painting, 工筆 (Gong Bi style). Since 2002, Sally has devoted her full attention to learn about Gong Bi painting. Gong Bi painting is also described as "fine line" painting: the artist must first draw an outlline of her subject matter with very fine brush strokes. She then fills the space with watercolor pigment inside the fine lines, using several coats of application to reflect dark to light. This style of water color painting requires meticulous and elaborate brush work with multiple applications of ink, pigment and water in order to achieve color intensity.
For several years since 2009, Sally spent 3-4 months in Taipei, Taiwan in order to study with two leading Taiwanese teacher/artists, Ms. Lin Shu-Nu 林淑女 and Mr. Chang Ko-Cei 張克齊.
Using Gong Bi technique to paint flowers, birds and insects, Sally has enhanced her own esthetic and philosophical development--gaining a new appreciation for the beauty and mystery of nature. The Chinese believe that artistic pursuit is a way of cultivating one’s physical and emotional health (修身養性.) In a sense, Sally’s total absorption in Gong Bi painting has become a form of self-cultivation for her.
As a member of Oregon Society of Artists, Sally has exhibited her paintings at OSA, the Asian Health and Service Center, Color Pencils, and Collins Gallery, Visage Eyewear Gallery, and Multinomah Arts Center, Concordia University in Portland; Beaverton Arts Council Festival; and Gold Beach Art Festival in Gold Beach, OR.
Since 2016, Sally has been a member of the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society in Colorado Springs, CO. One of her paintings was chosen for the 2019 International Watermedia Exhibition. Another painting was chosen for exhibition at the Southern Colorado Watercolor Society annual show.