Issue 02: Intentional Shifts

a slower return to what I’ve always known & what stayed with me this month

Author

Sue Ellen Zhang
May 29, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

TRANSITION

This month I freed up my work schedule to dedicate myself more to my art practice. Three years in an office taught me a lot, but most importantly, it forced me to move toward what I truly want to do.

deviating from my past

Before moving in September, I sold my artwork for cheap just to clear space. Those paintings felt like ways to fill emptiness—raw emotion without intention. The work was freeing but overwhelming; the process unsustainable and lacking consistency.

I stopped painting during a tumultuous period, then returned in November with “from the remains” - using dry brushing, smudged pigments, and intentional shapes. I liked the effect and created similar work, this time playing more with composition, resulting in “left in quotient”.

“from the remains” 11×14 oil & pigment on canvas

“left in quotient” 11 × 14 oil & pigment on canvas

embodying nature and boldness

I try to embody the textures of nature in my work. “emergence” feels like a chrysalis tearing apart—fitting for my psychological state then, with such anticipatory urge to shift my professional aspirations toward art, and feeling like I was wasting time doing anything else. “duafe” is bolder in color and composition, sensing a portal or door with landscape quality, still embodying textures inspired by nature.

“emergence” 11×14 oil on canvas

“duafe” 11×14 oil on canvas

bigger is perhaps better

After working strictly on 11×14 canvases, I "graduated" to a 16×20 canvas. This switch helped me access another inner landscape, bringing out a different voice with more opportunity. More real estate challenged me to make meaningful marks without spilling onto canvas. But I was putting too much pressure on myself to be intentional, so I allowed myself to create more freely—not worrying about blending or controlling how paint moved (resulting in “urban river”). I let the paint work for me the way money works for itself.

“symbiosis” 16×20 oil on canvas

“urban river” 16×20 oil on canvas

challenge

I would not be on this creative path without insecurities and doubt. I often feel abstract work is unworthy, difficult to fully ground my voice in (even though I love creating abstract paintings). I needed to prove to myself I could still paint, that I retained the techniques I trained with and could discipline myself for challenging work. Hence, this surreal piece.

年年有余 16×20 oil on canvas

the cut

While I painted many works this past month, these are the select few that made my personal cut. They represent the range I'm exploring—from expressive inner landscapes to surreal forms rooted in reality.

“in flux” 11×14 oil on canvas

“年年有余” 16×20 oil on canvas

"the highest synthesis of light” 16×20 oil on canvas

“Mollusca” 16×20 oil on canvas

UP/COMING

Looking Ahead _______________________________________

I'm going to paint more abstract works while developing grounded surreal pieces. I hope next time to expand on a certain topic of discussion, exploring focused themes in greater depth.

If you're interested in purchasing any works shown, feel free to shoot me a DM @sueellenzhang on Instagram.

CURRENT FAVORITES

▶ Read: The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky

▶ Film: Farewell My Concubine (1993)