This conversation opens the second interview of the first chapter in 'Defining Moments: The First Start or the Turning Moment'. Rooted in the rice fields of Yilan, Taiwan, this artist finds profound inspiration in solitude and rural rhythms. Deeply drawn to oil paint, they seek to capture tranquility and the flow of time through everyday interior spaces and natural landscapes. Studying masters like Vermeer, Titian, and Caravaggio, they develop their own expressive approach through works like the pivotal piece Interior, which reveals an artist wrestling with multiple light sources and the delicate interplay of composition and emotion. This journey began with the curiosities that first drew them to painting—those quiet moments when light falls across a corner of a room—and continues through the patient challenges that guide their evolving practice. Here we explore how the artist finds immersion and calm within the patient rhythms of oil painting, discovering how sincere effort and technical growth gradually build into a coherent artistic world. Edited with care to preserve the artist's thoughtful voice and authentic perspective. Now, in the artist's own words.
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Q. Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us. I'd love to begin by hearing about you and your practice. How would you introduce yourself as an artist, and what work are you currently engaged with?
A. I was born in Yilan, Taiwan, and grew up in a rural environment surrounded by rice fields. This slower pace of life, compared to the city, has had a profound influence on me. Solitude is very important to me, and the sense of loneliness has become a source of inspiration for my work. As an artist, I depict figurative landscapes and interior spaces, aiming to capture a sense of tranquility and the flow of time. In recent years, I have mainly focused on oil painting, with my works often centered on everyday spaces and natural scenery. Through these images, I hope to invite viewers to experience a moment of calm and reflection.
Rice field, oil on canvas, 80 × 100 cm, 2023
Q. Could you share what first set you on the path as an artist, or a decisive moment that drew you deeply into your practice? If an image or sensation returns when you think of that time, we would be grateful to hear about it.
A. I have long admired the old masters such as Vermeer, Titian, and Caravaggio, often wondering how they achieved such delicate effects through the medium of oil painting. This curiosity sparked a deep interest in oil painting for me and inspired me to begin creating my own works while contemplating how to establish my own artistic system.
During my learning process, I also studied the materials and techniques used by these masters to gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics and expressive possibilities of oil paint.
What has driven me to continue on the path of artistic creation is the desire to convey a sense of “tranquility” and inner emotion through my paintings. Although the painting process is slow, this focus allows me to become fully immersed and to experience the joy and calm that creation brings.
Looking back, the first images that come to mind are sometimes a ray of light falling on a corner indoors, or the peaceful sight of rice fields. These images have become important sources of inspiration for my work.
Q. Have you ever experienced a slump or faced significant difficulties in your creative process? If so, how did you navigate and overcome that period? We are also curious to know if this process led to discovering your unique style or artistic direction, and whether you noticed any changes in your environment or in the reactions of those around you.
A. During my creative process, I often encounter slumps, whether they are technical challenges or difficulties in realizing the ideas and images I envision. Whenever I face these obstacles, I remind myself that they are opportunities for learning and growth. Even a small breakthrough within these challenges represents a step forward.
While I may experiment with different styles and preferences, I also tell myself not to be overly attached to any fixed style or technique, as many ideas evolve over time and through experience. This mindset gives me greater flexibility in overcoming difficulties and helps me keep moving forward.
Q. The fears or difficulties encountered on one's journey are often deeply connected to the birth of a particular artwork. Could you tell us about a piece that was especially challenging to create, but through which you gained a significant realization or felt a great sense of reward? Please share the experience behind that work and what that moment means to you now.
A. The artwork titled Interior depicts the scene of my study room. Although the painting is not large in size, it posed considerable challenges for me. Initially, the work was slightly larger, but I later decided to crop the canvas due to compositional considerations.
Another major challenge was the subtle depiction of multiple light sources within the piece. In my previous works, I rarely attempted to portray such nuanced lighting effects. Therefore, throughout the painting process, I had to continuously consider the changes in texture and color of objects under varied lighting, which was a completely new challenge for me.
Although this work is not yet perfect, it represents an important challenge and growth in my artistic journey.
Interior,
Oil on canvas
, 59.5x58cm
, 2024
Q. It seems that such an experience would have been a significant 'turning point' for you. Following that turning point, how did your artistic world and methodology change? Could you please elaborate on any specific ways your work has evolved since then?
A. After that particular work, I began to reflect on why such interior spaces drew me in so deeply. I realized that beyond my emotional connection to interiors or vast landscapes, I was also strongly attracted to the structural composition of the image itself. The presence of horizontal and vertical lines within a scene can create a sense of stability and order in the overall composition.
As a result, when selecting subjects, I not only consider whether they resonate with me emotionally, but also whether their composition can evoke this feeling of balance and order. Over time, as I continued creating and later revisiting my works, I found myself engaging in deeper self-reflection and becoming more conscious of the relationship between composition, space, and emotion in my paintings.
Q. Following that turning point, did the core message or values you wish to convey through your art also change? If so, what do you consider the most significant shift?
A. The core theme I wish to express in my work—“a sense of tranquility within solitude”—has remained unchanged. In fact, it was through the ongoing process of creating art that I gradually realized this theme had always been at the heart of my practice and what I most wanted to convey.
The turning point I mentioned earlier did not alter my core values, but it encouraged me to think more deeply about composition and explore new possibilities in structuring my images. It was a shift that expanded the way I approach my work while staying true to its emotional essence.
Q. What is the significance of "that moment" which remains most precious to you today, and how does it continue to affect your future work and life? If you were to capture that moment in a single word or sentence, what would it be?
A. Looking back at that turning point, it stemmed from my many curiosities about the old masters—I wanted to understand the era they lived in, the materials they used, and how they gradually completed their works. This curiosity drove me to engage in creation and sparked a deep interest in the oil painting medium itself. Although I am still in the learning process, that moment made me realize that artistic creation is the most important way for me to express my inner world and explore myself. If I were to capture that moment in a sentence, I would call it “the starting point sparked by curiosity”.
Rice field, Oil on canvas, 64 × 80 cm, 2024
Q. Could you tell us about any individuals, artworks, or environments that have been influential in shaping your identity as an artist? We are also interested in learning how these influences are woven into your current work.
A. Vermeer is a Dutch painter whom I greatly admire. The sense of tranquility in his works and his delicate depiction of light deeply attract me and have motivated me to study his paintings and the materials he used in depth.
Additionally, I enjoy solitude, and the natural environment of Yilan—especially the peaceful rice fields and surrounding scenery—provides essential nourishment for my creativity. This sense of calm and solitude profoundly influences my inner world and serves as the source of the tranquil atmosphere in my artworks.
I analyze how masters employ light and composition in their works to understand why their paintings move me. Through these observations and studies, I gradually clarify my own artistic direction; at the same time, I reflect on the similarities and differences between my work and theirs, allowing my creations to become more authentic.
Q. What role does the audience play in your creative process? How does the act of sharing your work with others impact its meaning for you?
A. I am curious and attentive to how audiences respond to my work, as it provides valuable insight into how others experience my creations. However, before a piece is completed, I tend to avoid showing it to others because, for me, the creative process is more like an inner dialogue, continuously questioning myself and seeking answers.
Q. Building on your past turning points, in what new directions do you hope your artistic world will evolve? What new ideas or uncharted territories are most exciting to you right now?
A. Based on my past turning points, I have begun to pay more attention to the order and atmosphere within the composition, which has deepened my understanding of art. In the future, I hope to continue exploring the expression of light and space in my work, especially how to use color and composition to convey the inner feelings of tranquility and solitude.
Although I do not have any particularly new directions at the moment, I am continuously refining my oil painting techniques and expression, while maintaining a curious and exploratory attitude toward unknown areas.
Q. Thank you so much for sharing such thoughtful insights with us today. As we conclude our conversation, what message would you like to share with your future self, or with someone who is about to embark on their own artistic journey?
A. Thank you for having me—it's been such a pleasure to reflect on these questions with you. Actually, I am still an artist who is continuously learning. For me, the most important thing is to maintain curiosity and a humble attitude towards learning. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable in the creative process, but it is precisely these difficulties that help us grow. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because mistakes are opportunities for exploration and breakthroughs. I also hope you can keep your passion alive and continue to explore your inner world, allowing art to become a true channel of expression. Most importantly, cherish the support and communication around you, as they will be your strength along the artistic journey.
Contact
Artist : YEN TING CHEN
Instagram : @yenting841206
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