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Xiang Li Traditional Chinese Watercolor

Fei Wu

Fei Wu is Xiang Li’s daughter and co-creator of Xiang Li Art.

Stories by Fei

Art careers

Xiang Li in Artists Magazine: “The Empress of Silk”

When my mother, Xiang Li, and I held the September/October 2026 issue of Artists Magazine in our hands, I felt the weight of far more than four printed pages.

August 7, 2026 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art explorations

From Ithaca to Imperial China: Power, Trust, and the Choices That Shape a Dynasty

Reflections inspired by Christopher Nolan’s 2026 film The Odyssey and Xiang Li’s Chinese Empresses collection.

July 28, 2026 · Fei Wu · 20 min read

Art and Culture Events

Art, Family, and Community: Opening the Chinese Empresses Exhibition at Wellesley Free Library

On Monday, July 20, 2026, we welcomed approximately 25–30 visitors to the opening reception of Xiang Li Art’s Chinese Empresses exhibition at Wellesley Free Library.

July 26, 2026 · Fei Wu · 6 min read

Art Exhibitions

A Fresh Look at Creative Hub Worcester: Rediscovering the Chinese Empresses

When Xiang Li’s original silk paintings were first installed at Creative Hub Worcester in April, they helped bring warmth, history, and color into the gallery during the Hub’s opening season.

July 17, 2026 · Fei Wu · 6 min read

Art Exhibitions

Voices of Strength: Xiang Li’s Original Paintings at Newton Free Library

This July 2026, Xiang Li Art is honored to present Voices of Strength: Empresses and Zodiac Animals at the Newton Free Library in Newton, Massachusetts.

July 17, 2026 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art Exhibitions

Chinese Empresses Arrive at Wellesley Free Library

This July 2026, Xiang Li Art is delighted to bring the Chinese Empresses collection to the Wellesley Free Library in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

July 17, 2026 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art and Culture Events

Art You Can See, Smell, Make, and Wear: Our Second Multisensory Experience at Creative Hub Worcester

On Saturday June 13, 2026, we returned to Creative Hub Worcester for an afternoon that brought together original silk paintings, personal stories, hands-on creativity, fragrance, jewelry, books, and plenty of joyful experimentation.

July 17, 2026 · Fei Wu · 8 min read

Art and Culture Events

A New Goalpost for Xiang Li Art: What We Learned from Our Multi-Sensory Chinese Empress Experience at JMAC

On Thursday, May 21, we gathered at JMAC in Worcester for the opening reception of my mom Xiang Li’s newest solo exhibition, Multi-Sensory Chinese Empress Art and Culture Experience.

May 24, 2026 · Fei Wu · 7 min read

Art and Culture Events

A Meaningful Day at the Davis Museum: Silk Painting, Conservation, and Community

On April 8, 2026, we had the honor of attending “Immortalizing Magu: The Conservation of a Chinese Painting” at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College.

May 5, 2026 · Fei Wu · 6 min read

Art Exhibitions

Xiang Li Art Welcomes the Opening of The Creative Hub Worcester

There are some moments that feel bigger than one event, one evening, or even one exhibition. The opening reception of The Creative Hub Worcester was one of those moments.

May 5, 2026 · Fei Wu · 6 min read

Art explorations

How to Appreciate Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy is one of the oldest and most respected art forms in the world, yet for many people encountering it for the first time, it can feel difficult to understand.

March 17, 2026 · Fei Wu · 7 min read

Art and Culture Events

Creative Sector Day at the Massachusetts State House: Art, Advocacy, and Belonging

On March 3, 2026 my partner Adam Leffert and I had the honor of representing Xiang Li’s Chinese Empresses art at Creative Sector Day, organized by MassCreative at the Massachusetts State House.

March 17, 2026 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art and Culture Events

Art in the Heart of Innovation: Xiang Li at LabCentral’s Gallery 1832

When people think of Kendall Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, they think of biotechnology, research labs, and startups working on the future of medicine.

March 17, 2026 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art and Culture Events

Lunar New Year at the Worcester Art Museum (2026): Community, Art, and the Living Stories of Chinese Empresses

On February 16, 2026, we had the joy of returning to the Worcester Art Museum for our second consecutive Lunar New Year celebration. Each year feels different.

March 16, 2026 · Fei Wu · 6 min read

Art and Culture Events

Lunar New Year at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2026): Sharing Xiang Li’s Silk Paintings and Chinese Zodiac Art with 3,000 Visitors

On February 19, 2026, my mother and artist Xiang Li, and I had the privilege of presenting her artwork at the Lunar New Year Festival at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

March 16, 2026 · Fei Wu · 7 min read

Art and Culture Events

Art Is Love: What Bad Bunny’s Performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show Reminded Me Of Community, Culture, and Showing Up As Ourselves

There are moments when art stops being something you visit and becomes something you feel in your body.

February 12, 2026 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art explorations

When Art Heals Too: Chinese Empresses in Acupuncture & Healing Spaces

Over the past year, something quietly beautiful has been happening with Xiang Li Art.

January 8, 2026 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art and Culture Events

When the Empresses Come Home: Discovering Chinese Art at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College

Walking through the Davis Museum at Wellesley College, I didn’t feel like I was simply visiting a gallery.

December 22, 2025 · Fei Wu · 7 min read

Art explorations

More Than a Museum: How the Davis Museum at Wellesley Teaches Us How to See

Walking into the Davis Museum at Wellesley College, I expected to see beautiful art.

December 22, 2025 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art and Culture Events

A Saturday of Art, Community, and Unexpected Magic at Tatnuck Bookseller

This past Saturday, December 13, we had the joy of hosting a community art event at Tatnuck Bookseller, a place that feels less like a bookstore and more like a living room for Worcester’s creative soul.

December 16, 2025 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art Competition

Why I’m Thrilled to Enter the Artists Network Over-60 Competition — and Why It Matters for Women Art-Makers

As I completed my entry for the 19th Annual Over 60 Art Competition from Artists Network, I find myself reflecting on what this contest truly represents.

December 8, 2025 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art and Culture Events

Reflections and Impact on Xiang Li’s 2025 Exhibition at the New England Botanic Garden

The summer and fall of 2025—when Xiang Li’s Chinese Empresses collection came to life among the gardens, ponds, and winding paths of the New England Botanic Garden—was one of those seasons.

November 30, 2025 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art and Culture Events

Bringing Art Into the Heart of the Community: Our New Installation at Tatnuck Bookseller

After wrapping up our exhibition at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, we were eager to find a new home for several of Xiang Li’s empress paintings.

October 22, 2025 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art and Culture Events

Merging Art, Music, and History: Xiang Li Art Featured at Mechanics Hall’s Club 321

On October 9, 2025, Xiang Li Art had the honor of being featured at Mechanics Hall’s Club 321 concert series in Worcester, Massachusetts — a one-of-a-kind evening that brings…

October 22, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art sales and marketing

How Artists Can Use ChatGPT to Prepare Standard Print Sizes for Their Art

As artists, we often pour our hearts into creating the work — brushstroke after brushstroke, detail after detail — but when it comes to preparing prints for an online shop, the technical side can feel daunting.

September 17, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art and Culture Events

How to Curate a Successful Solo Art Exhibit

I recently wrapped up one of the most exciting projects of my life: helping my mom (artist Xiang Li) produce and curate her solo art exhibition at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Massachusetts.

September 1, 2025 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art and Culture Events

Celebrating AAPI Month at Mint Kitchen’s First-Ever Asian Art Market

We were thrilled to be a part of Mint Kitchen’s first-ever Asian Art Market, held right here in Worcester to celebrate AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month.

May 28, 2025 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art education

WooBox: Empresses of the Northern Song Arrive in Downtown Worcester

If you’ve driven through downtown Worcester recently, you may have spotted something a little unexpected, a utility box wrapped in silk-inspired elegance, crowned with dragons, peacocks, and empresses.

May 28, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art and Culture Events

Honored at the Massachusetts State House: Celebrating Creative Individual Grant

Today, May 19, 2025, was a day I’ll never forget. My mother, Xiang Li, was honored at the Massachusetts State House as a recipient of the Mass Cultural Council’s Creative Individual Grant.

May 20, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art and Culture Events

Art is Love: Xiang Li Art at Holy Cross Prior Performing Arts Center

On a crisp November evening in 2024, something unforgettable unfolded in Worcester, Massachusetts.

May 20, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art explorations

How to Paint a Mural on Concrete: Tips From Our First Outdoor Project

Painting a mural on a wall is one thing. Painting one on the ground—especially on rough asphalt or concrete—is a whole different challenge.

May 19, 2025 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art explorations

One Family, One World: Painting a Message of Love and Protection at Hadwen Park

This spring, my mom Xiang Li and I packed up our brushes, some acrylic paint, and a whole lot of heart for a public art project unlike anything we’ve done before.

May 19, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art and Culture Events

The Power of Culture: What I Learned at the Worcester County State of the Arts Convening

On May 14, 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Worcester County State of the Arts Convening at the beautiful Chocksett Inn in Sterling, MA.

May 15, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art and Culture Events

Introducing our new book “Chinese Empresses”: A Celebration of History, Art, and Womanhood

We are thrilled to announce the official release of the long-awaited “Chinese Empresses” book by Xiang Li and co-author Fei Wu.

April 13, 2025 · Fei Wu · 2 min read

Art and Culture Events

From Beijing to Boston: A Mother-Daughter Journey in Art and Identity

At the recent ASIA Club Annual Meeting at the College of the Holy Cross, I had the honor of giving a talk about immigration, identity, and the creative collaboration between a mother and daughter that now spans continents and decades.

March 31, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art education

Flowers of Power: Discovering Symbolism in Xiang Li’s Chinese Empress Collection

Flowers have always held deep symbolic meanings throughout Chinese history, playing important roles in art, culture, and even imperial politics.

March 26, 2025 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art and Culture Events

Xiang Li Art’s Lunar New Year Exhibit at the MFA Boston (2025)

What an incredible celebration it was at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston this Lunar New Year!

February 12, 2025 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art explorations

The Eternal Cycles of Power: Parallels Between Xiang Li Art’s Chinese Empresses and One Hundred Years of Solitude

The stories of ancient Chinese empresses have long fascinated artists, historians, and readers around the world.

December 25, 2024 · Fei Wu · 9 min read

Art sales and marketing

How Artists Can Strategically Enter Museum Gift Shops with Their Art and Merchandise

Museum gift shops are more than just retail spaces—they’re extensions of the museum’s mission to educate, inspire, and engage visitors.

November 26, 2024 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Uncategorized

The Dance of Human Creativity and AI in Art

In a recent blog post, Tripti Gore explored the evolving relationship between human creativity and AI in the art world.

September 17, 2024 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art supplies

Framing Your Art: A Comprehensive Guide to Art Presentation

Framing an artwork is more than just encasing it in wood and glass – it’s about enhancing the piece’s beauty, protecting it from environmental factors, and creating a harmonious presentation.

September 11, 2024 · Fei Wu · 7 min read

Art education

Xiang Li Art: Bridging Tradition and Modernity in Chinese Painting

After publishing the previous article Exploring the Spectrum of Art for You: From Classical to Contemporary, we received a popular follow-up question: “Where does Xiang Li Art fall in the art category? How does these art categories change for Chinese art?”

September 11, 2024 · Fei Wu · 2 min read

Art education

Exploring the Spectrum of Art for You: From Classical to Contemporary

Art has been an integral part of human culture for millennia, evolving and diversifying into numerous styles and movements.

September 10, 2024 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art education

Xiang Li’s Revolutionary Approach to Chinese Empress Portraits: Traditional, Modern, or Both?

Xiang Li, a master artist with 37 years of experience at the Forbidden City in Beijing, has crafted a unique artistic style that seamlessly blends traditional Chinese watercolor techniques with contemporary sensibilities.

September 10, 2024 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art and Culture Events

Xiang Li’s Fusion of Fire and Water in Chinese Imperial Art Seen at Worcester State University’s Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery

Xiang Li has submitted a captivating collection of works for Worcester State University’s “Fire and Water” exhibition at the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery.

September 9, 2024 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art and Culture Events

Embracing the Future: Libraries as Hubs for Art, Technology, and Community

Libraries have long been sanctuaries for knowledge, offering a quiet refuge for study and contemplation.

August 8, 2024 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art and Culture Events

How to Create a Successful Solo Art Exhibit for Beginners (2024)

Organizing a solo art exhibit can be an exciting yet daunting experience, especially for first-time exhibitors.

August 4, 2024 · Fei Wu · 9 min read

Etsy & Merch Strategy

Selling on Etsy for Beginners – 6 months Update for Xiang Li Art (July 2024)

In February of this year, we started the Xiang Li art store on Etsy It has been 6 months since the store opened and we wanted to share with you our key insights and takeaways on the progress so far.

July 16, 2024 · Fei Wu · 6 min read

Art and Culture Events

Boston Museum Events for Chinese New Year (2024)

Did you know that many museums offer free Chinese New Year events? Many of them are free, and some are included with general admission.

February 6, 2024 · Fei Wu · 2 min read

Art explorations

Unveiling Creative Potential: Explore Grant Opportunities & Resources from the Mass Cultural Council

Welcome, fellow creators and cultural enthusiasts! Are you seeking support for your artistic endeavors or seeking to enrich your community with cultural events?

December 9, 2023 · Fei Wu · 4 min read

Art news

A Heartfelt Letter from Qingshan Zhang for Xiang Li’s Dream of the Red Chamber Exhibition Opening

Qingshan Zhang was born in Dalian, Liaoning Province in China. He is now Secretary of the Party Committee of the China National Academy of Arts.

June 17, 2023 · Fei Wu · 2 min read

Art careers

Calligraphy and Painting Charity Event Raises Nearly 1 Million, The Palace Museum’s “Great Insider” Funds Public Welfare Projects of the Municipal Red Cross Society

A special calligraphy and painting charity event (an auction) held at the Zhuhai Shengyuan Art Museum on Lovers Road in Zhuhai, China.

June 17, 2023 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art careers

Xiang Li’s Reproduction Masterpiece Showcased at the Forbidden City in Beijing

In 2012, Xiang Li was traveling in the United States when her ex-colleagues from the Forbidden City in Beijing told her about a very special exhibition held for master artists.

June 17, 2023 · Fei Wu · 2 min read

Art news

Xiang Li Joins Zhuhai Red Cross Organization Charity Auction, Donating over 140,000 USD to Children with Autism

This article is translated from a news article in Mandarin Chinese reported from the live event.

June 17, 2023 · Fei Wu · 2 min read

Art careers

Ancient Art Restoration 101

If you are interested in ancient art restoration but you are look for first-hand experience, this post is for you.

June 17, 2023 · Fei Wu · 6 min read

Art news

The Opening Ceremony of the Dream of Red Chamber Art Exhibition was Successfully Held in Qingdao

Sharing more data on the open ceremoy of the Dream of Red Chamber Art Exhibition.

June 17, 2023 · Fei Wu · 2 min read

Art careers

How To Succeed As A Watercolor Artist

So how do you succeed as an artist? How do you market your work so it can be seen? Li has been asked this question a lot and this is our attempt in answering this question.

May 28, 2023 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art explorations

Learning From Chen Rong’s Ink Dragons

Li has been a big fan of Chen Rong’s artworks for decades, so she got inspired to create some of the most famous pieces: Ink Dragons.

May 27, 2023 · Fei Wu · 1 min read

Art careers

More Than 200 Paintings Created For An Office Building

Between the summer of 2013 and 2014, Li received a new project to complete over 200 paintings (large and small) for a large office in Shenzhen, China.

May 27, 2023 · Fei Wu · 2 min read

Art careers

How to Become a Professional Reproduction Artist

One of the most frequently asked questions Li has received is how she became a highly regarded Ancient Chinese Art Reproduction, a highly specialized skill that requires years of intensive training.

May 26, 2023 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art education

How to Think, Explore and Learn as an Artist

After teaching Chinese watercolor to numerous Chinese and American students over the past 40 years, we’d love to discuss the subject of How to Think, Explore and Learn when it comes to Chinese watercolor art.

May 26, 2023 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art supplies

Materials 101 For Chinese Watercolor Paintings

We have been asked many times about how to get started with Chinese watercolor paintings, and the basic materials you need as a beginner.

May 26, 2023 · Fei Wu · 5 min read

Art news

Zhou Ruchang (周汝昌) comment on the Dream of the Red Chamber

About Zhou Ruchang (周汝昌): Zhou Ruchang (周汝昌, 1917 – 2012) was a famous Chinese Redology scholar. Born in Tianjin, China in 1918.

May 20, 2023 · Fei Wu · 3 min read

Art explorations

Dog, cat, and guinea pig

I shared a picture with my mom Li yesterday when she was just about to finish a private art lesson. Later that evening, she shared a picture with me via a phone message.

May 13, 2023 · Fei Wu · 1 min read

Art explorations

Visiting James Choo’s Animegg Kingdom Studio in Hong Kong

In the summer of 2013, my mom Li and I had the opportunity to visit Hong Kong. We also finally visited our dear friend James Choo’s magical Animegg Kingdom Studio.

April 29, 2023 · Fei Wu · 1 min read

Art news

Artist Spotlight: Internationally acclaimed artist Xiang Li

This Artist Spotlight is presented by Worcester Magazine in partnership with ArtsWorcester. Since 1979, ArtsWorcester has exhibited and advanced the work of this region’s contemporary artists.

October 14, 2022 · Fei Wu · 1 min read

Art news

Xiang Li appeared on Boston Chinese Report

Xiang Li’s story as an artist and teacher was written in an article in the Boston Chinese Report on February 8th, 2013.

February 8, 2013 · Fei Wu · 3 min read