My name is Shuang Chen. I started to have art lessons when I was in college about more than 10 years ago. And I got a degree of BFA studio art from CUNY- Queens College. A local city college in New York. I was intrigued by the painting lessons. Later interested in multimedia arts. I love art. It makes my mind peaceful. I tried customizing portrait paintings when I was in college. I tried to sold my original paintings online and offline on street as an art vendor. It was excited to make money by selling my own creative works. So I started to make more and more.

When did you start creating? Was there a specific moment or inspiration that led you to it?

I created my work when I was in college. I had lessons of arts. But then after I posted my works on social media. My friends started asking me to do commission portrait paintings. I realized it’s a way to make money through art. I had a period of time doing custom portrait paintings. My skills get improved after those paintings were done. After I start to do vending on street selling my artworks. I realized local landscape paintings are attractive to tourists. I start to paint my landscape/city scape paintings. And I also realized not everyone can afford original paintings.  I started to make prints and handmade magnets. They sold pretty well on street. I decided to always have them. 

What emotions, messages, or themes do you hope to convey through your work?

I hope buyers can be surprised and happy when they find my artworks are related to their life. Either a cat portrait that’s similar to their own cats. Or they find out one of my cityscape painting is a place that they’ve been to. 

What materials, tools, or techniques do you use, and why did you choose them? 

I use muslin fabric, crochet lace, magnet, acrylic clear board and so on to make handmade magnets. I choose them, because I can print image to the muslin fabric nicely. And it looks like a tiny image is been framed(actually not), and well decorated.

I use acrylic on canvas to make original paintings. It dries faster than oil paintings. And it’s easier to paint tiny details. And if I make mistakes, it’s easy to correct them. Either erase them when it’s still wet or cover them with new colors after they are dry. 

What was the biggest challenge you faced in your creative journey, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge is to persist my art life. Since making arts itself is not making a lot of money. I decided to making more art works when it’s slow season. So I can sell more when it’s busy season. Also I posted my works to multiple online platforms. So people will know me from different ways. And hopefully I can sell more. 

Do you remember your first sale? How did it feel?

My very first sale was when I was in high school. One of my social study teacher ordered 20 handmade self designed Christmas cards from me. It was 2 dollars each. I was so excited. But then I realized I was not making a lot of profit after the costs of materials. Like the printer inks. It was a start and a lesson. It always reminds me I need to think about the costs before I am making prices. 

Has a customer ever shared a special story or reason for purchasing your work?

 Some customers like to buy my pet portraits prints, it’s because they have a similar looking pets at home. It reminds them the happy time they have with their pets. Some customers asked me to do customized portrait paintings for them is because they are having a special life moment, like recently get married or recently having a baby. And I am very happy to have my parts joined and witnessed to their special moment. 

Is there a particular piece or product that customers seem to love the most? What makes it special?

I have few of pieces sold more. For pet portraits magnet or prints. It’s the little black cat. She is ready to make some trouble with the slippers next to her. My customers love this trouble maker.

For landscape or cityscapes. It’s the pond of Central Park. The one has autumn yellow leaves on a tree. Customers especially on street when I am selling them in person like my cityscape or landscape magnets. Because they are good souvenirs and gifts for their friends. And it’s going to be a good memory of New York. 

What are your future plans? What do you hope to achieve through your creative business?

My future plan is to make a good living through selling my artworks. To achieve that, I need to make at least one painting (size 6x6 inches or bigger) each week, making a lot of hand crafted works like magnets during the slow season. I hope when people think about New York or gifts, they will think about my art vendor or my artworks. 

Are you working on any exciting new projects or collections?

I am making a series of New York landmarks (winter scenes) right now. And I am repainting some landmarks I had paint before. Different angles of different season and hopefully improved skills. 

Why did you choose to join ZART? How has our platform helped your creative business?

Because it’s another window for people to see my artworks. And it’s new and active. I’ve heard it has advertisements for more buyers to see artist’s work . So I think it’s good to join now.