Today we’d like to introduce you to Haixin Li.
Haixin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My artistic journey started from passion in music and drawing at young age. I must say it’s from my parents’ influence. I still remember the lullaby that my parents sing to me almost everyday, and my father’s guidance in drawing. Although I grew up to become an engineer due to various factors, true passion and talents in arts find their own way back into my life. Although I didn’t have opportunity to major in art or music, I learned to play some instruments and draw with pencil and charcoal from some lessons in high school and college, and I was naturally a good singer among friends.
It wasn’t until 1998 when I took my first oil painting class at a community college in Northern California, and that’s when I discovered the joy and creativity in painting. Since then for the past 27 years, I have been developing into an artist in various media including oil, soft pastel, charcoal and digital painting.
Singing pop music has always been for fun in my life. Love of classical music brought me to studying with an accomplished vocal teacher in 2017. For the past 8 years I have been studying Bel Canto, singing opera arias, art songs and Broadway musical songs. I’m now an active member in two choir groups and being the president of one group. We have performed in numerous concerts, and 3 times in Andrea Bocelli’s concerts.
As far as fashion jewelry design, it all comes from love of colors and desire to create. I’m good at making things with my hands. After years of studying colors in painting, I find inspiration and desire to create wearable art which in one form is fashion jewelry. I’m happy with what I can create and can bring colors and fashion in people’s life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There has been many obstacles and challenges along my journey to pursue art. I believe the biggest challenge is self doubt. Do I really have the talent? Am I really creating something meaningful? Will I ever achieve my dreams? When there is self doubt, it brings thoughts of giving up. That’s why I really value and cherish the support from art communities and friends. Their encouragement helps me to find inspiration. Also when art gallery visitors and customers show their appreciation to my art, I’m motivated to continue to create.
Other challenges include balancing of hobbies and life, finding motivations and being diligent.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an artist of various media including Oil and Acrylic Painting, Pastel, Pencil and Charcoal Drawing, Digital Painting and Jewelry Design. Nature, people, and colors of life inspire me. I always have such desire to capture the enchanting moments around us into my art, so that they will last forever, to accompany us and to rejoice our heart forever.
Painting and Drawing
I have been doing oil painting for 27 years. I studied art and oil painting at several community colleges. I also studied figure drawing with live models, and love to do figures and portraits with charcoal and color pencil. I attended 2-day portrait painting workshop offered by Stacy Kamin in 2017. I started plein air style oil painting in 2018, and had fallen in love with it ever since. I attended one-week plein air painting workshop offered by Thomas Jefferson Kits in 2022. My drawings and paintings were displayed at San Diego County Fair Fine Art Exhibit several times. My favorite subjects in oil painting are seascape, landscape, florals, pets, women, kids and nature. I am always fascinated with the colors and lights that nature displays. My work can be seen at the San Dieguito Art Guild’s Off Track Gallery in Encinitas and Carlsbad Oceanside Art League’s North Coastal Art Gallery in Carlsbad. My paintings are also displayed and available for purchase on my website: www.haixinli-artstudio.com.
Jewelry Design
My jewelry design features natural semi-precious gemstones, crystals, sterling silver and gold-filled materials. I have displayed and sold my jewelry pieces at several local boutique stores. I have also won awards and ribbons at shows and contests. I organize a jewelry design club where I teach people how to design and make their own one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Digital Painting
I have an engineering background which made me an expert in computer aided design. With 30 years of computer skills, I became experienced in many graphic software. I love to create digital painting with Photoshop and Wacom drawing pad. The ease of creating vibrant colors in digital painting is what attracts me the most, and of course the no mess working environment. Some of my digital paintings can be seen on my Facebook and Instagram.
Opera Study
I love classical music especially opera. I have been studying Bel Canto with an accomplished vocal teacher for the past 8 years, learning to sing opera arias, art songs and Broadway musical songs. I’m a sapranno with a wide vocal range. I love to express my feelings and emotions through my voice. I enjoy performing for friends and in community events. I’m currently the president of San Diego Chinese Choral Society, and an active member of Pacific Coast Choral. I have performed in numerous choral concerts in San Diego, including 3 times in Andrea Bocelli’s world tour concerts. I have also performed several times as soloist in choral concerts. My opera study journey continues on, and I hope one day I will be able to perform in some opera productions, and have some solo concerts.
Tennis
I’m an active recreational tennis player. I have been playing tennis for the past 20 years. I am member of several tennis clubs and play in various tournaments and leagues year round. I love tennis, and cherish the friendships built through tennis. Tennis has become my everyday essentials and necessities.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I think success to me is overcoming my own shortcomings. Success is to never stop creating, learning, and living a full life. My dream is to have my solo art exhibit and solo concert one day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.haixinli-artstudio.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Haixin08?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xins_art_studio/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lilaclotus9
