-Oil Painters of America Signature Member
-National Watercolor Society Signature Member
-Watercolor Society of North Carolina Master Status

An oil and watercolor painter, art workshop instructor, architectural illustrator, life time ardent reader, and writer of the occasion when painting is not sufficient to express his feeling and thoughts…

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. He practiced architecture as well as taught architectural design and history.. 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. JJ’s paintings have been juried into four different national and international shows – OPA, NWS, AWS and AIS. He has signature membership with OPA and NWS, and master status with WSNC. He excels in drawing, watercolor and oil painting, while exploring subjects such as: still life, landscape/cityscape, portrait and figure, Chinese calligraphy and brush painting. His work has been widely exhibited, and collected and has won numerous awards. It has been featured in publications such as Watercolor Artist Magazine, SPLASH 21, The Art of Watercolour magazine, and Southwest Art Magazine.

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 weekly classes in watercolor and oil painting at his studio, he teaches workshops at a variety of venues.​

JJ currently lives in Cary, North Carolina and is the founder and director of the Village Art Circle 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.
Honors & Merits:
2022 Seascape of Excellence award, Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, James R. Ross Fine Art, Indianapolis, Indiana

2022 Canson Merchandise Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Don Andrews, AWS

2022 Selected for the Oil Painters of America the 31th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat, Colorado

2021 Past President Award, Watercolor Society of North Carolina Annual Juried Exhibit

2021 Selected for the National Watercolor Society 101st Annual International Exhibition

2021 Honorable Mention Award at the Oil Painters of America Spring Online Showcase

2021 Selected for the Oil Painters of America the 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, California Center for the Arts, California

2020 Silver Award Winner, Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition, Reinert Fine Art Gallery, Charleston, NC

2020 Selected for the American Impressionist Society 21st Annual National Juried Exhibition, Illume Gallery, St. George, Utah

2020 Selected for the National Watercolor Society 100th Annual International Exhibition, LA

2020 Work featured in the Watercolor Artist magazine, August, 2020

​2020 Selected for the Oil Painters of America the 29th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Fredericksburg, Texas

2019 Fourth Place Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Stan Miller, AWS

2019 Selected for the National Watercolor Society 99th International Exhibition

2019 Work featured in the Splash 21: Capturing Mood!

2019 First Place Prize Winner, En Plein Air Paint-Off, Fuquay-Varina, NC

2019 Selected for the American Watercolor Society’s 152nd Annual International Exhibition to be held in the historic Salmagundi Club in New York City

2018 Work featured in the The Art of Watercolor magazine, issue 33

2018 Selected for 2018 National Watercolor Society Annual Member Exhibition

2018 Second Place Prize Winner, Fifth Town of Cary’s En Plein Air Paint the Town Competition

2018 People’s Choice Prize Winner, Fifth Town of Cary’s En Plein Air Paint the Town Competition

2017 Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Mary Whyte

2017 First Place Prize Winner, Fourth Town of Cary’s En Plein Air Paint the Town Competition

2017 People’s Choice Prize Winner, Fourth Town of Cary’s En Plein Air Paint the Town Competition

2016 Signature Member Award, Watercolor Society of North Carolina Annual Juried Exhibit

2016 First Place Prize Winner, Third Town of Cary’s En Plein Air Paint the Town Competition

2015 Fourth Place Prize Winner, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Linda Baker, NWS, AWS

2015 Honorable Mention, Second Town of Cary’s Second En Plein Air Paint the Town Competition

2015 First Place Prize Winner, En Plein Air Paint-Off, Fuquay-Varina, NC

2014 Fifth Place Prize Winner, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Eric Wiegardt, NWS, AWS

2014 First Place Prize Winner, Town of Cary’s Inaugural En Plein Air Paint the Town Competition

2012 M. Graham & Co. Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by John Salminen, NWS. AWS

2011 President Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Paul Jackson, NWS, AWS

2009 Jerry’s Artarama Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Steve Rogers, NWS, AWS

2008 Art & Graphics/UBE Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Charles Reid, NWS

2007 Merit Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Sue Archer, NWS, AWS

2006 Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff Award, WSNC Annual Juried Exhibit; Juried by Cheng Khee Chee, NWS, AWS