Mei Shu
Mei Shu, a native of Shanghai China, draws inspiration for many of her works from village scenes in her native land and Virginia mountains lakes and rivers. She is an artist who is known for her interpretations of foliage landscape and oriental village scenes in her paintings. She lives in Radford VA with her husband Z.L. Feng, where she has resided since 1987, and she continues to perfect her oriental and impressionist techniques in watercolor and oil painting.
Mei Shu began her interest in painting as a young child with a focus on the popular medium of gouache in China. Mei Shu’s parents, both architects, arranged for private lessons in her home with the famous regional painter Zhang Ing Hong. Prior to coming to the United States in 1987 she worked as an art designer in Shanghai for seven years. Then arriving in America, she pursued an interest in watercolor painting and soon discovered that watercolor allowed her to relax while creating beautiful imagery. To continue to create new things, Mei began experimenting with oil mediums and has loved it ever since.
Recognized by numerous awards throughout the country Shu’s paintings have also been exhibited in more than 16 solo shows including the Twentieth Century Gallery in Williamsburg, The Bristol Art Gallery in Tennessee and The King Gallery in Tennessee. Her artwork consistently receives best in show and 1st and 2nd place awards in addition to purchase awards in exhibitions across the country from Colorado to Mississippi to Maryland. Awards she has received include merit award at the 26th International Exhibition in Houston TX; SWA award at the Society of Watercolor Artists; 2nd International Exhibition in Fort Worth TX; Jack Picheson Award at the Alabama 62nd National Exhibition; 4th place at Pikes Peak watercolor society show in Colorado Springs Co; Award of Excellence at Virginia Highlands Art Gallery Show in Abingdon, Virginia; Best in Show at the Alabama 60th National Exhibition and the Silver Award at the Georgia Watercolor Society National Exhibition. Mei’s work has been published in art books such as Artistic Touch, Creative Watercolor and Best of Watercolor Painting Texture. Mei’s work has also been featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine.