Last week at the sitting-out area of Sir Robert Ho Tung Library, local artist Inês Chan I Lei sat with her watercolours working on a scene from a trip she had recently taken, with The Macau Post Daily interviewing Chan to learn more about her and her passion for art.
Pursuing a passion
26-year-old Chan has been painting for eight to nine years and has participated in over 20 exhibitions. She knew she wanted to pursue art while she was still in primary school. She would learn watercolours when she was in Form 5 from her teacher Fong Io, a known local watercolour artist who continues to inspire her.
Chan, who mostly paints architecture and landscapes, did not go on to pursue art at university, instead studying Sociology in Taiwan.
Upon graduating, Chan worked in an advertising company as a project manager for around 2-3 years. “I really wanted more time to focus on my artwork” Chan said, and so she quit her job last year. Since then, she has given painting lessons to children and at a residential college of the University of Macau (UM), as well as doing art work while there.
Aiming to convey happiness & a relaxed mind
Chan said that through her works, she attempts to build a peaceful world where one does not have to think so much, as thinking too much can be tiresome, and she wants to show a relaxed way to look at artwork.
People looking at her paintings and feeling good afterwards is among one of the things she cares about most. “I think life is too hard for people sometimes”, so she is hoping to provide a way for people to feel good despite the difficulties they might be facing.
Having studied Sociology, Chan also attempts to show that it does not matter whether one has a different religion or way of life. “I try to use a very peaceful tone to show the beauty of the world”.
Moreover, with watercolour painting being a traditional style, Chan said that she often thinks about how it can relate to the modern world, though some might question its place.
Traditional painting may not be a necessity to survive, she said, “but it can make you happy”. She also continues to paint to promote this traditional form of art, showing that there are still people who paint with watercolours and love to do so.
She also attempts to show the “beauty and good side of Macau” through watercolours, adding that this is her own way of expressing herself.
Working as a freelance artist
Currently a freelance artist, Chan has done a cover for the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) magazine “Books and the City”, artwork for the book “Pátio do Espinho Oral History (茨林圍口述歷史)” and 853 Face Mask designs. She also runs her own studio, “The Landscape Studio”, which she launched a few months ago, noting that teaching was a way to share her passion with others.
As a freelance artist, Chan said she does her best to listen to what a client wants. While some may give her free rein to create proposals, other works may require her to paint outside of her own style, underlining the importance of adapting. “I have to listen to others and what they need. It’s not only about painting for myself, but also for others”.
For example, she said, when working on a book, her role would be to turn those words into art “to let people get more connected with the world”, projecting the story that a book may be conveying to create something that readers can connect with.
Though at times difficult, “it’s fun”, Chan pointed out. “If you love to do these things, you won’t feel tired” while also doing it with passion and spending time on her assigned work.
Local artist Inês Chan I Lei creates a new painting about a recent trip.
Chan lays out her materials and recent works.
– Photos: Rui Pastorin
These images taken from Chan’s portfolio shows some of her works.
