By Emily Chen
Seven years ago, a young girl picked up her passion starting her first pieces of art using graphite. Her name was Lilian and she began art at a very young age. Throughout Grade One, she was able to take classes at a studio. Over the years, this opportunity taught her the traditional aspect of visual arts. She was first introduced to just Crayola art as a child. But would then, as she grew older, Lilian progressed on to other techniques like drawing cubes and using pencils to find exact measurements. When this new world she had always cared for officially kicked off, Lilian embarked on her own journey to master the use and execution of pencil. This medium of art played a significant role in Lilian's love for visual arts as it would become the technique she focused on for the next five years of her life.
From her time at the studio, Lilian personally believes she learned a lot from her teachers. Almost like her second family, her studio was where she completed various unique pieces true to her childhood. However, today she humbly says that she enjoys going back to her old sketchbook to seek improvements. Retracing her steps, Lilian says if she could, she’d tell her younger self to: “try not to put your hand on the paper… because it makes your paper gray.”
As a young artist, Lilian has always been one to challenge herself to do better and to work harder. She believes no matter how much you know, “there's always room for improvement.” A diligent and compassionate learner, these are the wise words she takes with her during daily life. Lilian shares one of her most recent pieces of art. This is a black-and-white still life portraying the detailed sketch of the figure's face. How long did it take her to finish the piece? Initially, she said that it only took 8 hours, but then paused for a moment to laugh, reminding herself that this intricate work of art had actually taken her nearly 40 hours. For two hours every week, she had dedicated each stroke with a clear sign of attention. The second piece Lilian talked about in her interview is a coloured oil piece portraying lily and water. She completed this in school and talks about her lovely experience working with colour. Throughout this piece, Lilian specifically used something called modeling paste - a new medium that helped elevate the lily pads. The paste was slathered on and dried overnight to form a certain shape. She was able to try using new techniques and material for the first time since her sketching art at the studio.
“I feel like I've really grown as a person in art, especially because I am thinking about: Why am I drawing this? Who am I drawing this for? How should I draw this?” - Lilian Hu
A significant figure in Lilian's life is her sister Erin. “My older sister has inspired me because being the oldest sister she goes through almost everything first like university, getting a job, resume, and etc. She has not only helped me a ton but also inspired me that even though you have no idea what’s going on, it is also possible to find a way there.” Lilian speaks truly about her sister, if she could ask her one thing she says she’d ask: “How did you do it? How did you get to where you are today?”
She said that “some things we just learn on the way as we grow up. I’m always scared of not knowing what to do when I’m supposed to, but my sister taught me that even if you don’t know what to do, go find out; not everything will come to you, you have to run for it.”
Lilian has both an older and younger sister. She attended public school during elementary, and joined the Collingwood community in Grade Eight. Her favorite subject in school is math. Lilian says she enjoys the course because it keeps her thinking and never ceases to test her knowledge and skill. Art is another one of her favourite subjects because she is able to create meaningful connections in this class. Outside of school, Lilian is interested in architecture: the way houses look, landscapes, etc. Lilian speaks of architecture as a major goal and future aspiration. During her time at school, she participated in the house mascot challenge, as well as the “what lifts you up wings” service project.
Lilian has come to grow not only as an artist but as a person. She’s learned that her art experience is not just about sitting down by a lamp, sketching exactly what she sees. “[That’s] important, but to express myself as an artist, I now break through to do things I'm actually interested in.”
This year has been a year of unique twists that have helped Lilian reconnect with her roots. She’s come to discover her passion for digital art. Using an iPad and pen, clay, no matter what medium Lilian will raise her head to the sound of new experiences ahead. “There are so many things to do and I want to do everything. Every piece I make creates happiness for me.”
A truly inspiring artist, Lilian has broken off from her old roots and feels that each day ahead is a new opportunity.
Seven years ago, a young girl picked up her passion starting her first pieces of art using graphite. Her name was Lilian and she began art at a very young age. Throughout Grade One, she was able to take classes at a studio. Over the years, this opportunity taught her the traditional aspect of visual arts. She was first introduced to just Crayola art as a child. But would then, as she grew older, Lilian progressed on to other techniques like drawing cubes and using pencils to find exact measurements. When this new world she had always cared for officially kicked off, Lilian embarked on her own journey to master the use and execution of pencil. This medium of art played a significant role in Lilian's love for visual arts as it would become the technique she focused on for the next five years of her life.
From her time at the studio, Lilian personally believes she learned a lot from her teachers. Almost like her second family, her studio was where she completed various unique pieces true to her childhood. However, today she humbly says that she enjoys going back to her old sketchbook to seek improvements. Retracing her steps, Lilian says if she could, she’d tell her younger self to: “try not to put your hand on the paper… because it makes your paper gray.”
As a young artist, Lilian has always been one to challenge herself to do better and to work harder. She believes no matter how much you know, “there's always room for improvement.” A diligent and compassionate learner, these are the wise words she takes with her during daily life. Lilian shares one of her most recent pieces of art. This is a black-and-white still life portraying the detailed sketch of the figure's face. How long did it take her to finish the piece? Initially, she said that it only took 8 hours, but then paused for a moment to laugh, reminding herself that this intricate work of art had actually taken her nearly 40 hours. For two hours every week, she had dedicated each stroke with a clear sign of attention. The second piece Lilian talked about in her interview is a coloured oil piece portraying lily and water. She completed this in school and talks about her lovely experience working with colour. Throughout this piece, Lilian specifically used something called modeling paste - a new medium that helped elevate the lily pads. The paste was slathered on and dried overnight to form a certain shape. She was able to try using new techniques and material for the first time since her sketching art at the studio.
“I feel like I've really grown as a person in art, especially because I am thinking about: Why am I drawing this? Who am I drawing this for? How should I draw this?” - Lilian Hu
A significant figure in Lilian's life is her sister Erin. “My older sister has inspired me because being the oldest sister she goes through almost everything first like university, getting a job, resume, and etc. She has not only helped me a ton but also inspired me that even though you have no idea what’s going on, it is also possible to find a way there.” Lilian speaks truly about her sister, if she could ask her one thing she says she’d ask: “How did you do it? How did you get to where you are today?”
She said that “some things we just learn on the way as we grow up. I’m always scared of not knowing what to do when I’m supposed to, but my sister taught me that even if you don’t know what to do, go find out; not everything will come to you, you have to run for it.”
Lilian has both an older and younger sister. She attended public school during elementary, and joined the Collingwood community in Grade Eight. Her favorite subject in school is math. Lilian says she enjoys the course because it keeps her thinking and never ceases to test her knowledge and skill. Art is another one of her favourite subjects because she is able to create meaningful connections in this class. Outside of school, Lilian is interested in architecture: the way houses look, landscapes, etc. Lilian speaks of architecture as a major goal and future aspiration. During her time at school, she participated in the house mascot challenge, as well as the “what lifts you up wings” service project.
Lilian has come to grow not only as an artist but as a person. She’s learned that her art experience is not just about sitting down by a lamp, sketching exactly what she sees. “[That’s] important, but to express myself as an artist, I now break through to do things I'm actually interested in.”
This year has been a year of unique twists that have helped Lilian reconnect with her roots. She’s come to discover her passion for digital art. Using an iPad and pen, clay, no matter what medium Lilian will raise her head to the sound of new experiences ahead. “There are so many things to do and I want to do everything. Every piece I make creates happiness for me.”
A truly inspiring artist, Lilian has broken off from her old roots and feels that each day ahead is a new opportunity.
