The Foundations of a Creative Life

JJ Jiang’s lifelong bond with art was forged in the crucible of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) in China. During this tumultuous era, drawing, writing, and reading poetry became more than just hobbies; they were a sanctuary that kept him grounded and shielded him from the chaos of the outside world. This early immersion naturally shaped his perspective on life and himself, making art an inseparable part of his identity. JJ was trained as an architect and architectural historian with professional degrees from both the US and China.  He taught  and worked in the architectural industry for decades in China,  Hong Kong and the United States before became a full-time artist about 15 years ago

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A Rare National Distinction

JJ’s mastery in oil and watercolor mediums has earned him a place among the elite in the American art world. He holds the rare distinction of having his work juried into some of the nation’s most prestigious competitions; along the way he has achieved signature member status with the American Watercolor Society (AWS), the National Watercolor Society (NWS) and Oil Painters of America (OPA). Additionally, he is a Master Signature Member of the Watercolor Society of North Carolina (WSNCM).  A portfolio of his watercolor work has been featured in  The Art of Watercolour Magazine, Issue 54. His work has also appeared in publications such as Watercolor Artist Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur.  He has won numerous awards including the silver medal in Oil Painters of America 2020  Eastern Regional Exhibition.

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Teaching and Community

Beyond the creation of art, sharing his creative passion and beliefs through teaching has been an integral part of JJ’s journey for years. His open and inspiring instruction has been welcomed and much appreciated by students who often return.  Besides offering regular classes in watercolor and oil painting and life drawing opportunities at his studio, JJ has also been invited to teach workshops at a variety of venues, and to judge various exhibits in different parts of the country.​

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JJ currently lives in Cary, North Carolina and is the owner of the Village Art Circle Fine Art Studio in the heart of downtown Cary.   His unique art journey was written and published in the OUR STATE/North Carolina magazine, January 2015 issue.