Today we’d like to introduce you to Zheng Lu
Hi Zheng, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I discovered my passion for pencil sketching at a young age and always knew that my career path would lead me to the creative industry. My childhood is filled with fond memories of outdoor painting trips, spending entire days immersed in capturing the beauty of nature on canvas. Although I didn’t pursue a fine art degree or become a full-time artist after graduating, I found a way to channel my artistic roots into digital product design, where my sketching skills allowed me to visualize and bring ideas to life.
Seven years ago, a family vacation to Italy reignited my love for painting. Inspired by the rich artistic culture, I began exploring watercolor and attended workshops with renowned artists Michael Holter and Dan Marshall. Their teachings profoundly influenced my style, encouraging me to embrace an impressionistic and expressive approach to watercolor.
To me, art is more than a skill or hobby—it’s a lifestyle and a lifelong pursuit. Becoming an artist requires wholehearted commitment, and I continue to push myself creatively, enjoying every step of this ever-evolving journey.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My first experience with watercolor dates back to my college days, when I practiced architectural renderings using transparent watercolor. The process demanded precision, with tightly controlled drawings and dark tones achieved solely through careful layering. It felt rigid and mechanical, leaving me with a somewhat negative impression of the medium.
Nearly a decade later, I stumbled upon the artistic side of watercolor by chance, and it completely captivated me. I became enamored with its unique qualities—its immediacy, spontaneity, and the effortless way it captures mood and atmosphere. Watercolor allows me to express the intangible: illusions, movement, and the dynamic energy of space.
After taking several workshops, I began integrating what I had learned into my work. Over time, I grew more comfortable with the medium, using it as a means to convey my emotions while staying true to my sources of inspiration. My goal is to evoke feelings that go beyond the subject itself, creating a connection with my audience.
Most of my work focuses on local scenery, particularly urban life and nature, with a strong emphasis on light and atmosphere. I aim to uncover the hidden beauty in our surroundings and tell stories about the lives of people and places in an artistic and compelling way. In addition to local landscapes, I have a deep appreciation for classic European architecture, piazzas, and vibrant street life, which often inspire my paintings.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My philosophy on painting is simple: focus on growth and improvement rather than worrying about sales or entering exhibitions. Success will follow naturally. I firmly believe there are no shortcuts in painting; what truly matters is the artist’s evolving wisdom and the deepening connection between the heart and the brushstrokes.
Through consistent practice and dedication, my work has been regularly accepted into local and regional juried shows, including the Southwestern Watercolor Society (SWS), the Society of Watercolor Artists (SWA), and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS). I am also proud to be one of the youngest signature members of the Southwestern Watercolor Society.
In addition to discovering my own subjects, I deeply enjoy working on commissioned pieces. The process typically starts with a reference photo, but I strive to go beyond that by listening to and understanding the stories behind the image. Building a trusting relationship with my client is an essential part of the journey.
To ensure the final painting resonates with their vision, I often create a complimentary small vignette as a preview. This helps capture the essence of the photo and its story, allowing the client to provide feedback and approve the direction before I proceed to the final artwork
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The Dallas and DFW area offers a rich blend of landscapes and cityscapes that inspire my painting. I particularly enjoy capturing local scenes, focusing on urban life and nature with an emphasis on light and atmosphere. Through my work, I aim to uncover the hidden beauty in our surroundings and tell meaningful stories about the people and places that define them. Iconic locations like downtown skyscrapers, the Fort Worth Stockyards, White Rock Lake, and a couple of adjacent historic downtown areas are just a few of my favorite locations.
At the same time, I’m equally drawn to painting Texas’s rural life and prairie landscapes. These settings provide endless opportunities to create evocative, moody landscape paintings that capture the essence of the region’s vast and serene beauty.
If I had to name my least favorite aspects of the city, it would be the need to travel farther to find more dynamic landscapes, as the area lacks natural features like mountains or rolling hills. The extreme weather—scorching summers and chilly winters—also poses challenges for outdoor painting. Additionally, much of the city is dominated by vehicular traffic, which means it lacks the classic European-style walkable neighborhoods with outdoor cafés, piazzas, and promenades that bring charm and artistic inspiration to urban spaces.
Pricing:
- Original watercolor painting price range: $ 200 (11″X15″) to $ 400(12″x16″)
- Commissioned art: landscape, cityscape, seascape starting from $ 250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.luwatercolor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luwatercolor/
Image Credits
All my original watercolor painting scans.
