By Susan Zhao
Although renowned primarily for his academic accomplishments, Jason Liang is also an immensely talented art student at Collingwood. Currently in Grade 11, he enjoys his advanced pursuits in physics and chemistry, notably having placed in the top 2 percent of the acclaimed Avogadro Chemistry Competition. When not found entranced by a physics problem or in the chemistry lab growing crystals for competition, he can be found in the art studio – sketching, painting or pursuing his penchant for photography!
Although renowned primarily for his academic accomplishments, Jason Liang is also an immensely talented art student at Collingwood. Currently in Grade 11, he enjoys his advanced pursuits in physics and chemistry, notably having placed in the top 2 percent of the acclaimed Avogadro Chemistry Competition. When not found entranced by a physics problem or in the chemistry lab growing crystals for competition, he can be found in the art studio – sketching, painting or pursuing his penchant for photography!
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Despite his interest in an array of forms of artistic expression, painting has taken form as one of Jason’s primary artistic interests, with him particularly enjoying landscape pieces. In grade 9, he decided to experiment with digital painting, but found he connected more with traditional painted brushstrokes. Currently, Jason is working on a series of paintings featuring Japanese street life, as homage to his travels.
Jason’s preferred mediums of visual art are soft pastel and watercolor. His favorite styles are those of the works from Takashi Akasaka and Makoto Shinkai. Speaking of style, Jason praises fellow Collingwood artist Arthur Wang, for his art, which is reflective of the same style as Takashi Akasaka and Makoto Shinkai. Jason also shared that he has various sources of artistic influence. His first artistic influence came from an elementary art teacher who noted he had immense artistic potential at such a young age. Other influences on Jason’s work can be attributed to the lokes of Hayao Miyazaki, Makoto Shinkai, Satoshi Kon, Osamu Tezuka, Fujiko F. Fujio, and Akimoto Osamu, mainly as they are the people who have inspired Jason to draw without artistic restraints.
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According to Jason, art has not always held an important role in his life. In fact, he expressed that he used to detest art after his Kindergarten art teacher treated him harshly. Despite this experience, Jason still won second place for best drawing in school at that time. Although Jason forwent drawing for a couple years thereafter, five years later, Jason was intrigued by the interesting “Animes” on TV and began to draw in his spare time again.
When asked about his artistic strengths, Jason commented, ‘If there is one thing I am better at than anyone else though, that is my speed of drawing.” This is rather impressive given his lack of formal training. In the summer of grade 8, however, Jason decided to sign up for at an art studio ‘near’ his house in Shanghai, to pursue his interest in visual art. For almost the entire summer, Jason ended up drawing for ten hours each day, six times a week. To Jason, it was during this time that he developed his foundation of drawing-sketch and developed a passion for art.
When asked about his artistic strengths, Jason commented, ‘If there is one thing I am better at than anyone else though, that is my speed of drawing.” This is rather impressive given his lack of formal training. In the summer of grade 8, however, Jason decided to sign up for at an art studio ‘near’ his house in Shanghai, to pursue his interest in visual art. For almost the entire summer, Jason ended up drawing for ten hours each day, six times a week. To Jason, it was during this time that he developed his foundation of drawing-sketch and developed a passion for art.
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When questioned about his views on art, Jason had a unique response: ‘To me, art is not some philosophical concept or something complicated. Sometimes it can be just a way to kill time or to have some fun. To put it bold, I make art because I feel like it. My advice to budding artists is that if you don’t want to do art, just don’t. Oh, and if you are a visual artist, learn sketch well. I mean, very well.’
This year Jason is currently in Art 11 Enriched, as well as Photography 11. While drawing and painting consume much of his artistic efforts, Jason is also an accomplished photographer. His pieces have beautiful composition, and he has become a master photo editor. Beyond art, Jason is particularly interested in football, reading, and playing Pokémon. He also devotes significant time to his interests in science.
This year Jason is currently in Art 11 Enriched, as well as Photography 11. While drawing and painting consume much of his artistic efforts, Jason is also an accomplished photographer. His pieces have beautiful composition, and he has become a master photo editor. Beyond art, Jason is particularly interested in football, reading, and playing Pokémon. He also devotes significant time to his interests in science.