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Education:
M.S. in Information Technology (Multimedia Development and Instructional Design), Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY.
M.A. in Painting, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI.
B.F.A. in Oil Painting, Zhejiang Fine Arts Academy (currently named China Fine Arts Academy), Hangzhou, China.
Artist Bio:
Trained in Western-style oil painting in China and the U.S., Tong paints a broad range of subjects: landscape, still life, and people; but her favorite has always been human portraits and figures. She is fascinated by the human face, which can reveal a person's personality and life story, and the human figure, which is the purest symbol of vitality and life itself. Her artworks have been shown in numerous galleries in China and in the United States and have won many awards. She is currently working as a graphic designer for a local e-learning company. She also teaches art lessons to elementary and middle school students on weekends.
Artist%u2019s Statement:
To me, an artist%u2019s ultimate goal should not be to chase any machine, whether a camera, computer, or microscope. If an artist tries to compete with a machine, he is bound to fail. A computer can render trillions of bytes per second; even in a whole lifetime a human being could never approach such intricacy nor record the vast nature in such accuracy. Human strength lies beyond what machine can reproduce %u2013 an ever-changing, unpredictable combination of spirit and flesh. Knowing this, I gave up photorealism long time ago. What interests me the most is the intellectual and emotional impact a painting has on the audience, whether it is inspirational, educational, emotional fulfillment or spiritually enlightening. In a word, the audience gained something from your painting. Before your painting can move your audience, you yourself have to be moved by your own idea, subject, or intention. Sincerity is the key. I believe that only when your painting is the product of your heart is there a chance that it will touch the heart of your audience. If many people can walk by your painting without a second glance, your painting is not a successful one. What makes a person stop to view a painting more carefully? There can be many criteria. For instance: unusual composition, design, color, originality of the style and approach, texture, movement, etc.--but more importantly, the philosophy, profundity, a hidden riddle or question, even a peek of the artist%u2019s soul. Technique is important, but it is only a tool to help convey your true intention, merely a vehicle to carry you to the final bank.
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