Yangzi Xu

Wacker Drive, Oil Painting

2022

Artist Comments
Artist Yangzi Xu depicts a breathtaking evening scene at dusk on Wacker Drive, Chicago. "The lights of the city are on, creating a mesmerizing effervescence that captivates the viewer," says Yangzi. She paints loose and expressive strokes to capture the energy and movement of the cityscape. The brisk brushwork imbues the painting with a sense of life and vitality.

About the Artist
Artist Yangzi Xu captures a nostalgia for Chicago and its dramatic seasonal changes in her expressionist cityscapes. Having a full-time job and being a wife and mother, Yangzi makes a habit of painting everyday to keep her passion exciting and fresh. She keeps a queue of ideas and reference photos that she takes throughout the year. She looks through her references, tweaks and adds elements to them. Once inspiration strikes, Yangzi draws several sketches and begins to work with oils on canvas on multiple pieces at once - to keep each painting spontaneous and new. "I try to capture the paradox of life in the city, where one can be in a crowd and yet feel alone," Yangzi says. "My main intent is not to capture the physical reality of a scene, but to express my own moods and feelings to my audience." In her free time, Yangzi enjoys reading, with her current favorite genres being biographies and memoirs. Yangzi is an alumnus of DePaul University in Chicago.

Words that describe this painting: Chicago, downtown, city, urban, cityscape, evening, night, street light, street, road, vehicles, travel, building, facade, architecture, road, bus, pedestrians, impressionism, oilpaint, Wacker Drive, cars, reflection, architecture, impressionism, travel, oil painting, brown

Wacker Drive
Yangzi Xu
Oil painting on canvas board
Ready to frame
One-of-a-kind
Signed on front
2022
11 in. h x 14 in. w x .12 in. d
0 lbs. 12 oz.