​“The medium and subject may vary, but artistry remains the same,” believes JJ Jiang.  This belief is evident in JJ’s career as an artist as his paintings have been repeatly juried into our nation’s most prestigious national and international competitions. In the process, JJ quickly achieved signature member status with the Oil Painters of America (OPA), the American Watercolor Society (AWS), and the National Watercolor Society (NWS).  This is truly a rare feat achieved only by a very elite group of artists in North America. His work has won numerous awards, been displayed in museums, art centers and galleries throughout the country, and has been widely collected.  It has been featured in publications such as Watercolor Artist Magazine, SPLASH 21, The Art of Watercolour magazine, Southwest Art Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. 

 

As a fine artist, JJ draws his inspiration from both his eastern and western cultural roots, as well as his inquisitive mind and inner poetry.  He excels in drawing, watercolor and oil painting, Chinese calligraphy and brush painting, while exploring subjects such as: land and waterscape/cityscape, still life, portrait and figure.

 

JJ’s childhood was spent in China during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).  During that era of madness, drawing, writing and reading poetry kept him safe and sane, and shielded him from the chaotic world outside.  Drawing and painting have become inseparable parts of JJ’s life.  They came to him naturally (and early) and have helped shape his view of the world and himself to a large degree. JJ was trained as an architect and architectural historian with professional degrees from both the US and China, with publications in scholarly journals in China.  He taught architectural design and history in the university, and worked in the architectural industry for decades in both the Hong Kong and the United States.

 

Beyond the creation of art, sharing his creative passion for it 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 season after season.  Besides offering regular classes in watercolor and oil painting and life drawing opportunities at his Cary, NC studio, JJ has also been invited to teach workshops at a variety of venues, and to judge various exhibits and shows 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.  A portfolio of his watercolor work has been featured in  the summer 2024 edition of the top international watercolor magazine, published in France: The Art of Watercolour Magazine, Issue 54.