Young artist to watch in 2021
Renae Wang, Midnight Breakfast, oil, 24 x 24.
From: California.
Art Education: I have a BFA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MFA in painting from Laguna College of Art & Design.
Style: Contemporary realism. I paint nocturnal landscapes of mundane “non-places.” Most are characterized by vibrant colors and graphic compositions. I paint what a place feels like rather than what it looks like.
Creative Spark: Driving around late at night and being in everyday spaces with overlooked beauty. It could be an airport, car wash, or gas station. The artificial lights in these spaces are intriguing to me.
Second-Choice Career: Graphic design or interior design.
Other Passions: Hiking, meditating, traveling, and going on spontaneous, long drives late at night.
One Thing People Don’t Know About You: I had my first “solo show” at the age of 5 in my dad’s living room. He hung all my drawings gallery-style across the walls. Most were doodles of tigers.
Best Advice Received: Drink more water.
Pet Peeve: Dirty dishes sitting in the kitchen sink.
Mantra or Motto: Like the Eagles song says, “Take it easy.”
Favorite Studio Music: Classic rock. Fleetwood Mac is a favorite.
Favorite Work by Another Artist: Artworks by John Register, Wayne Thiebaud, and Eric Bowman.
Future Goals: Doing a cross-country road trip, having a solo show, and getting up right after my alarm goes off.
Price Range: $200 to $3,500.
Representation: www.renaewangart.com.
This story appeared in the August/September 2021 issue of Southwest Art magazine.