Los Angeles Taiwan Center hosted an illustration exhibition and a free therapeutic watercolor class on September 1st (Sunday). Artist Jennifer Chang demonstrated the painting technique of “wet-on-wet” on-site, guiding participants to relax and experience inner peace through watercolor rendering.
The American Psychiatric Association defines “Prolonged Grief Disorder” as a continuous and excessively prolonged state of mourning after the loss of a loved one. Artist Jennifer Chang, through 58 healing illustrations, created the first illustrated book “Stars” to embark on a journey of reconciliation with oneself for the readers.
The theme of this exhibition is “My Journey”, showcasing Jennifer Chang’s spiritual journey in pursuit of art. Jennifer Chang obtained a master’s degree in business from St. John’s University in New York, but due to her love for art since childhood, she also pursued an art certificate course at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, establishing an inseparable bond with art.
Despite her busy daily life and work, Jennifer Chang took time out over a year and a half to complete this illustrated book for adults, hoping that those with similar experiences can find solace and learn to forgive themselves. She discusses the impermanence of life and the issue of losing loved ones in fairy tale form, aiming to heal tired and wounded souls in a beautiful way.
Unable to get closure from not seeing her father for the last time, Jennifer Chang harbored many unsaid words that turned into a lifelong regret. However, she found a way to release her emotions through painting, much like the protagonist in “Stars” who says: “Little star, shining bright, twinkling eyes. Could Dad be living in one of the stars?” In ancient legends, there will come a day when people will reunite with departed loved ones.
The “wet-on-wet” painting technique allows the artwork to present a special effect of wet and soft, with watercolors flowing freely, while the painter can also attain inner peace in the process of blending watercolors.
Participants on the day were delighted to relieve stress through painting and also learned practical painting techniques.
Jennifer Chang won the Silver Award in the annual painting competition of Hong Kong Superior Culture in 2022. In 2023, she participated in the joint exhibition “Newly Made Person” by 36 artists at the Guardian Angel Art Gallery, and in 2024, she participated in the exhibition “My Little World” at the University of California, Riverside. She will continue creating illustrated books in the future, weaving adult fairy tales with different themes. ◇