Yong Hong Zhong: In Harmony with Nature
Before immigrating to NYC, painter Yong Hong Zhong recalls fond childhood memories of being immersed in the natural landscape of his village in China. These moments of being in complete harmony with nature have profoundly impacted the work he creates today. From a long career at The Disney Animation Studio, to now expanding his art practice and teaching workshops, Yong Hong Zhong shares his journey with us.
Tell me about your background and where your creative journey began.
I was born and raised in China. I always loved drawing even when I was a kid. Growing up in the 70s in China, life was very simple. I remember spending most of my time on the farm, catching fish in the streams and roaming around the mountain to look for edible berries. It was those carefree childhood experiences that I found the connections with nature. My family immigrated to the US when I was twelve years old. We moved from a small village in China to New York City, it was a culture shock for me. I didn't enjoy the move and was always longing to go back to the village where I grew up. On the other hand, I had exposure to the western arts and the opportunity to pursue a career in art. I attended the La Guardia High School of Music and Art in New York City and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn New York. Upon graduation, I started my 14 years employment with Disney Feature Animation Studio in California. After completing my last film "Princess and the Frog'' with Disney, I decided to relocate my family to Portland, Oregon to raise my two young sons.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Most of my inspirations come from nature. There is so much mother nature has to offer and the possibilities are endless.
How has your work shifted and evolved over time?
I think it's important for an artist to constantly learn and evolve. My art work should be a reflection of myself at that specific moment in time. For example: in my early years growing up in China, I didn't have any access to any art training so most of my experiences with art were very primitive but very genuine. After I migrated to the US, with easy access to museums, galleries and art training in New York City, there was a major shift in the way I view and practice art. I found myself trying to incorporate the new found knowledge and experiences into my work. Prior to moving to the US, I was doing mostly drawing and my subjects were mostly landscapes but that changed after I moved to the US. I had the opportunity to try other mediums such as oil, watercolor, charcoal and etc. The opportunity to study and learn from amazing artists through art school, local art galleries and museums has profoundly changed the way I work.
My subject matters have expanded and my style has also evolved along the way. Working at Disney on animated films was another major shift in my work. I realized that it's important that my work has a connection with the audience so I put a lot of emphasis on the storytelling aspect of my work. Becoming a father is another major shift in my work. Raising my kids made me realize that nothing stays constant. I need to embrace new experiences and new ideas in order to grow as an artist.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
I spend a few hours either painting in my studio, or doing research for my painting projects. I occasionally go outside to do some plein air painting outside my studio if the weather is nice. My daily schedule has gradually changed over time with my kids getting older and helping out with the cooking and cleaning. I have been able to spend more time painting and teaching.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
As I have mentioned earlier, the major turning points that influenced me the most are 1: my childhood experience in China 2: Immigrated to the US 3: My experience working on animated films at The Disney Animation Studio. 4: Became a father.
How has Instagram impacted your art career?
I think Instagram and other social media platforms have a very big impact on my art career. Without that, it would be a lot more difficult for me to share my art with the world, opening up opportunities for collaboration with galleries as well as other businesses related to my work. In addition to that, it also provides an opportunity for me to interact with my followers, fellow artists and other like minded people.
What are your future goals and aspirations?
I am hoping to travel more through teaching and painting in the near future. I believe we are all connected and that we have more in common than differences. We can all benefit if we work together and help each other out.