JJ Jiang
OPA /AWS /NWS
“The medium and subject may vary, but artistry remains the same,” believes JJ Jiang. This principle is evident in JJ’s career as an artist as his paintings have been juried into four of our nation’s prestigious national and international competitions: Oil Painters of America (OPA), National Watercolor Society (NWS), American Watercolor Society (AWS) and American Impressionist Society (AIS). This is a rare find among artists and reveals JJ’s outstanding artistry as well as skill and versatility in both oil and watercolor, and with differing subjects. JJ is a Signature Member of the Oil Painters of America (OPA), the National Watercolor Society (NWS), a Master Signature member of the Watercolor Society of NC (WSNCM), and his work has won numerous awards and been widely collected. It has been featured in publications such as Watercolor Artist Magazine, SPLASH 21, The Art of Watercolour magazine and Southwest Art 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.
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.