Southern California-based artist Lucy Mu Li transports you to her world of interconnected stories of the Earth and its elements through her oneness with nature. Her monochromatic style of organic lines and composition implements a sense of calmness and wonder for what’s to come next in her artistic journey.

Tell us a little about you, your life, and how you got to where you are today!

I am a Chinese-American artist currently based in Southern California, where I also grew up. So much of my practice comes from learning how to find a sense of groundedness and belonging while living my life at the crossroads of cultures and worldviews. I’ve realized that at the root of my practice, I am always searching for a sense of home, keeping my eyes open for shared languages and common threads that appear in our world.

Take us into your studio space– what does your creating space mean to you?

When I think about where my work happens, I think of not only my studio, but also all the little moments and places where I’ve felt saturated by love — basking in the wonders of nature or being lovingly held in conversation. So much of the art actually happens outside of the studio and in conversation with the world. I like to think of all the experiences and meditations that go into my work as the yin part of my practice, and the part where I am actively creating ways to solidify those experiences as the yang counterpart. So I’m grateful to my practice for encouraging me to not only show up in my studio, but in my life as a whole.

Why do you do what you do– what does being an artist mean to you?

I’ve tried on different hats in the past, but somehow the most authentic way for me to be has always led me back to my art. For me, being an artist is my way of processing my experience in this world. Because of my art, I live in a world of magic — nothing is taken for granted, so everything takes on cosmic significance. It’s how I stay connected to my inner child, this primal space where the world is a living, breathing marvel that never ceases to fill me with wonder. It’s also how I’ve learned to make sense of the darker parts of the human experience and the systems of harm that we’ve created, and I’ve found comfort in knowing that in all my shapes and forms I am simply a little animal being who is loved by this Earth.

Being an artist is a devotional practice that allows me to spend my life honoring the creative spirit of our Earth. And I hope that by sharing my work and welcoming other people into this space, we can awaken our childlike wonder and find safety and love in the magic of the world together.

What are some of your favorite projects you’ve worked on to date?

It’s hard to choose as they’re all precious to me in their own ways, but these days I’m particularly excited about a photography project I’ve spent the last year working on, My Earth Family.

There is a beach in my hometown that has become a sort of temple for me. In the loneliness of the pandemic it became my sanctuary — in the winter I’d often go at sunset, when the tide was at its lowest, and slowly the world came alive before my eyes. I’ve been photographing this beach for the last year, returning again and again, following her across different seasons, tide levels, and times of day. As I’ve gotten to know all her shapes and forms over time, it’s felt like I’ve joined a family. This series is a portrait of our earthly kin, a love story between the elements, and my own personal journey to discover new meanings for kinship, belonging, and resonance.

That’s something I hope for every being on Earth to feel — this feeling of blending into place, sinking into oneness with sand, stone, wind, water. Being carried away by a sensorial symphony so much so that you just become one with it all, and realize how deeply loved you are.

What are some things you’d like for people to understand about what you create?

When the pandemic was winding down and I began exhibiting my paintings, I started getting a lot of feedback from people that they could see the Chinese influences in my work. It was really interesting and surprising to hear, since at the time I hadn’t yet realized it myself, nor set out to incorporate those influences into my work intentionally. Getting that feedback has been so instrumental to deepening my own understanding of my practice. As a child of Chinese immigrants, I’d grown up with this feeling that I’d never quite understand my whole story, and that I’d always be searching for where I came from. I can now see that my ancestry and heritage are a part of me in ways that go beyond what I can consciously process. I may have been born across an ocean, but my ancestors have come here with me — their vision is my inheritance, carved into my DNA to guide how I see the world. My work is how I have found continuity with tradition, and since leaning into that it’s opened so many possibilities in my work.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface of what’s possible within the worlds of painting and photography, and I can’t wait to also dive into so many more art forms. In 5 years I hope to be so much more embodied as the painter and photographer I want to be, and to have expanded into new mediums like music, sculpture, and installation. And I hope to meet lots of wonderful creatives along the way to collaborate with and learn from to make that possible.

How would you describe your work in 3 words or less?

Expansive, generative, devotional

Where do you get your source of inspiration?

The Earth and all the stories she tells. She is constantly reminding us how inextricably interwoven our stories are. Nature has a way of always welcoming us home, in all our shapes and forms — no translation needed. We simply belong.

The Earth & Her Stories with Lucy Mu Li