Today we’d like to introduce you to Via Li.
Hi Via, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hi, I’m Via Li, from China. I’m a fine art painter and illustrator based in Savannah, GA. My story starts when I was born. I had left my parents and lived with a foster mother since birth. After my third birthday, I went under my grandmother’s care. Having to always change homes has shaped me into a very timid girl. My grandma loved me a lot. She was very attentive and had a high level of craftsmanship. I remember she would draw some traditional Chinese patterns, and I was interested in learning from her. My grandmother taught me the skill of transferring a drawing when I was a child. Interestingly enough, transferring a drawing was one of the lessons taught in college and in graduate class. And then a thought came into my head, “oh, my grandma is my first professor.” I began to draw, scribble on the ground, copy the image from children’s books, as well as learn how to write. People often said, “you draw very well,” which made me happy.
I enjoyed drawing and the compliments as well. I kept drawing every day and never gave up. When I was sick in boarding school, I found peace of mind and happiness through painting. That was the moment I decided I will pursue art as a career and applied to art schools. My family thought that art cannot be my career, it should only be a hobby. But my father was the one person in the family who saw my passion in art. He always watched how I painted until midnight and supported my decision to attend art school. I attended a visual art high school where I started my training. The training was rigorous, we drew and painted over 6 hours every day while still maintaining a normal high school student workload. The training would extend over our holidays. While the program was extremely intensive and tiring, it helped solidify my fundamental skills and I am grateful for every moment of it.
Before I prepared to go to college, something happened in my family. We were faced with a big problem, so I considered learning something that would allow me to find a job easier than painting. Therefore, I chose textile design as my major in college. Also, I did many part-time jobs to help my family lessen the financial burden. Shortly after, I came across an opportunity. A friend of mine knew I painted and hired me to do a wall painting in his bar. Some people saw me working and asked me to do more painting jobs. One opportunity led to another, the boss of an advertising company asked me to do illustrations for his new project, I was really surprised when he gave me the offer. After that, I become a freelance illustrator, and my clients included, Starbucks, L’OREAL, Coca-Cola, Tommy Hilfiger, and many more. My mom is also very proud of me; I have become more independent.
I believed I can make visual art my career and wanted to learn more about art, I decided to save money to go abroad to study. I came to Savannah two years ago to pursue my master’s degree in illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). I was so excited at the beginning, and then the pandemic happened, which made everything so hard. I had to stay at home every day. I had no family, nor friends here. It was lonely and I slipped into depression. But I’m glad I have time to paint and think about my future. I was confused about whether I’m an illustrator or painter. I know I love to paint, but I must think about financial responsibilities. My favorite Professor Daniel Powers told me, “Do both!”. That encouraged me, and I told myself, “Yes, I can do both.” Since I went back to school, I have met a group of very nice and sweet people. They encouraged me to put myself out there, so more people can see my work. Luckily, more people saw my artwork and I was able to get into the Savannah Artist Showcase at the Cedar House Gallery. All these things happened, so I’m thankful for my friends, Keith, Nancy, Robin, Kelly, and for my professors’ guidance. I have grown to love Savannah more and more. It is a beautiful town with good people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life always comes with challenges. My life is never smooth sailing. There has been so much pressure on me. Living without parents since childhood, studying in different cities and countries. I had to make every decision myself and had to be independent at a young age. But I don’t regret anything in the past because the past makes me who I am. I may make mistakes along the way, but it is those mistakes that help me grow as a person. Each phase in life is a new set of challenges. It is not the challenges that shape us, but how we face these challenges that define us. While my time in Savannah has been difficult, I am grateful to have met friends along the way that truly care about me. And when things are hard, I know that painting will always be one thing I can do to express my feelings and document my life. I believe that with hard work and determination I will overcome any adversities.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
All my works are based on my personal experience and thinking. I’m very interested in philosophy, and I love to think. I believe that souls are what give life to everything in the world. I create my art with this core principle in mind. I prefer to express my mood and feeling through my artwork. My art focuses on women’s emotions and the challenges and injustice they face. Bringing a woman’s inner mind and soul into the spotlight with my paintings forces viewers to confront the issues women face while also giving them a chance to reflect on their own souls.
I really enjoy the feeling of freedom when creating art, mixing colors, and playing with lines on a whim based on my current mood and emotions.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Nancy Millar is one of the friends I mentioned before. She is a very lovely and kind person, and she really loves helping people around her. I know she works so hard and is so serious about what she is doing. She is a great art teacher and children’s book illustrator. Not only did she encourage and help push me to be my best self, but she also helped me learn how to help others. I’m so glad to be her friend, and she always takes care of me by sharing food, stories, information, and opportunities with me. Kelly Kiviranna is an important person to me. She is my first collector and that means a lot to me. She has given me so much confidence in my art path. Her appreciation for my artwork has left a strong and long-lasting memory for me. Her feelings helped reaffirm why I am so dedicated in creating my art. I appreciate she gives me so much encouragement along the way, and I will remember it all my life. Besides being an art collector, she is a skilled and successful textile designer. Kelly is a lovely, kind, and independent woman. I will keep learning from her.
Gillian Mallory is the person I love spending time with. She has great life experience, is full of stories, and she’s kind to share them with me. Conversations with her are always thought-provoking and inspiring. There is never a dull moment when I am with her. She is a strong, brave, and independent woman. She is an illustrator and painter, and I am grateful that we are on the artistic journey together. There are many more people in savannah that mean a lot to me, including my best friends Keith Lee, Nancy Guan, and Nicole.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: vialiart.com
- Instagram: @via.li_art
Image Credits
Yao Wang
