Elements and emotion
Yong Hong Zhong, Springtime at Johan Vineyards, watercolor, 9 x 12.
Draftsmanship, color, and composition meet heartfelt expressive storytelling in the masterful brushwork of watercolorist Yong Hong Zhong. The Pacific Northwest artist comes by this power combination of elements and emotion honestly, having spent years in the animation industry. “The knowledge and experience I gained, particularly as a layout artist, continue to have an invaluable influence on my work,” he says, “but none of it compares to painting. It’s in my heart.”
Zhong, whose family immigrated from China to the United States when he was 12 years old, successfully pursued that calling at Pratt Institute, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in illustration with a minor in art history. After graduation, he honed his talents at Disney Animation Studios and MTV Animation Studios. He eventually rejoined the Walt Disney Company, where he contributed to feature animation films such as Pocahontas, Hercules, and Mulan.
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- Yong Hong Zhong, Lily Pond, watercolor, 12 x 18.
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- Yong Hong Zhong, Apple Season, watercolor, 9 x 12.
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- Yong Hong Zhong, Nature’s Window, watercolor, 18 x 29.
After completing The Princess and the Frog while living in California more than a decade ago, Zhong was ready to focus exclusively on painting. A pivotal visit up the coast convinced the artist and his family to relocate to Portland, OR—and introduced him to plein-air painting. Along the way, he has added in-person and online teaching to his repertoire.
Whether painting en plein air or in his studio, Zhong’s color-saturated interpretations of the landscape are reminiscent of the early California impressionists he greatly admires. “I’m drawn to their use of intense colors,” the artist says. “I didn’t believe the vibrancy of their colors until I saw some of the same scenes in person.” In addition to an exuberant palette, Zhong relies on light and shadow to engage viewers in a painting’s narrative. “These elements play important roles in tapping into our unique perceptions and stirring emotions within us,” the stay-at-home father of two sons says.
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- Yong Hong Zhong, Nature’s Window, watercolor, 18 x 29.
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- Yong Hong Zhong, Summer’s Beckoning, watercolor, 14 x 19.
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- Yong Hong Zhong, Abstract Beauty, watercolor, 16 x 12.
While the spontaneous nature of watercolor adds to the evocative nature of Zhong’s work, his strong artistic foundation keeps the end results expertly on point. “When I place the brush on paper, I don’t fuss with the mark,” Zhong says modestly. “I know ahead of time what it is I want to say.” —Beth Williams
representation
Art on the Boulevard, Vancouver, WA; Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery, Portland, OR; www.yonghongzhong.com.
This story appeared in the April/May 2022 issue of Southwest Art magazine.