Yong's latest book, A Gift, which he both wrote and illustrated, was published in September to favorable reviews in Booklist, ForeWord Magazine and School Library Journal. It is a story of a gift that has arrived for Amy just in time for Chinese New Year... Click here to view the watercolor paintings.
Make your own luck: A Chinese New Year's tale of following your dreams to find the perfect career
[February 18, 2010, by Heidi Masek, Hippo]
Although Yong Chen illustrated other children’s books, A Gift is the first the Nashua artist also wrote.
In A Gift, family members in China create a Chinese New Year’s gift to send to their young niece, Amy, in the U.S. It’s the kind of book a family not unlike Chen’s might use to explain customs surrounding the New Year — which this year was Sunday, Feb. 14 — to generations raised in America. For Chen, the book is part of the larger story of the direction of his life, a direction he might not have foreseen while teaching chemistry in China or working in a Chinatown grocery store in Boston unable to speak English.
Now he works at a job that offers him new challenges and encourages his creative growth; his own story about his own culture was published, and he shares the joy of art through teaching. But getting to this point in his life at which he feels really happy in his career took Chen, who will be 47 in April, several tries. continued >
Exhibit 2009 in the Nashua Public Library
An exhibit of the original arts from Yong Chen’s latest picture books is exhibiting in the Nashua Public Library from November 1 to the end of December 2009. 20 of Yong's watercolor paintings for his recent children's picture books, A Gift and Finding Joy, can be seen at the Nashua Public Library, Media Level Image Gallery, 2 Court Street, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060. In December, Yong gave a lecture in the Nashua Public Library theatre on children's publishing and children's writing in December 3rd, and on December 10th, he read the story from his newest children's book A Gift to the group of exciting young audience.
Exhibit in the Boston Logan to international audience
As a member of the International Artists Group, Yong's watercolor paintings is exhibiting in the busy Boston Logan International Airport terminal to international audience. This exhibit will last for 2 months from November 2009.
The Summer of 2009
Many good things had happened in the summer of 2009. First, Yong finished his study in the University of Hartford, CT and earned his MFA in Illustration. Then he took a trip to China – Yong's home country to meet with his hometown media and friends. He accepted the interviews with a TV network, a dairy newspaper, and a radio show (produced for Los Angeles AM radio station KMRB 1430, about him and his newest children's book... Click here to read all these news>
Yong Chen Received his highest academic degree in illustration - Master of Fine Arts from University of Hartford
July of 2009, and after 2 years of concentrated study in Hartford Art School which part of University of Hartford in CT, Yong received his highest academic degree in illustration, the Master of Fine Arts. In these two years, Yong met some of the best artists and educators in the country, and he finally finish writing his first children's book A Gift and published by Boyds Mills Press in September 2009.
Books Recommended by YongChen.com
Friends asked if we can compile a list of good books on painting, so here we had put together a list of books which we like personally. Click here to View the art books we recommend.
Exhibit 2008
An exhibit of Yong Chen’s recent watercolor paintings, Through the Eyes of Yong Chen, can be seen at the Nashua Public Library, Media Level Image Gallery, 2 Court Street, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060. From January 1, 2008 to February 29, 2008.
During the reception of the artist's exhibit in the Nashua Public Library Image Gallery, pianist Kai Chen performed classical piano music. Click here to view the video of the son of the artist performing in the reception on February 9, 2008.
Artist Yong Chen has been on BHCC Magazine
Yong was interviewed by BHCC Magazine, and appeared on their issue of January 2008
Chen came to the United States at the age of 26 to be with family members who had immigrated several years before. When he decided to go back to school, he says, "Communication skills were the first obstacle for me to overcome. The ESL program was the reason I first stepped through the door at BHCC. When I began studying at Bunker Hill Community College, I realized that I did have a purpose in coming to this country," ...(BHCC Magazine) Read article>
Looking for painting classes for kids in Nashua?
Ms. Churchill teaches Basic and Advanced Drawing, as well as Watercolor and Acrylic painting to students from 6 years to adult.
Mary Churchill loves to share the techniques of watercolor and acrylic paintings to those who appreciate this artistic beauty. Classes are also offered to introduce and bring out flourishing talents from interested young people. Enjoy the fine gallery presented here and feel free to contact Ms. Churchill with any questions you may have.
Studio Address: 142 Main Street, suite 201, Nashua, NH 03060
Contact Mary Churchill by phone: (603) 860-5753
Contact Mary Churchill by email
Click here to learn more about Mary Churchill
Click here to enter her students' Gallery of Acrylic and Watercolor Paintings
Yong's New Children's Book Finding Joy
My new children's picture book "Finding Joy" is available online and in your local bookstores now! This new children's book is written by Marion Coste. "Finding Joy" is published by Boyds Mills Press, and it is in bookstores since October 2006.
Illustrating this picture book has been an adventure for me, requiring a trip to China to trace the steps of the story. Come to learn more or see the watercolor illustrations.
Watercolor Demonstration in the Art Walk Nashua
In the recent Art Walk Nashua on Saturday, September 17, Yong Chen was invited to perform a watercolor demonstration in the Nashua Public Library. In his short watercolor demonstration, Yong explained the basics of watercolor painting elements: paper, color pigments, water, and the use of tools.
Through his demonstration, Yong use step by step methods, from how he will start and prepare a painting. When he used a pencil to do a rough sketch on the watercolor paper, he explained that pencil sketching is only necessary when you are not totally comfortable without it, then he use a pencil to do a very simple sketch to outline the big positions of the elements which will be included in the painting.
Then he started explaining the basic concept of water and color pigments and how they work together when we use different amount of water (both on the paper and in the brush), and when we should use more or less water. Yong introduced to his audience the terms of the watercolor wet-to-wet, wet-to-dry and dry-to-web, and these are the watercolor painting methods of using different amount of water in relation to the amount of color pigments... continue >
Watercolor Lessons Will be on DVDs Soon
We are going to produce Watercolor Lessons by Yong Chen onto DVDs. All lessons will be demonstrated by Yong Chen. Yong Chen will show you how to do a painting from conceptual, planning, sketching, to painting. DVDs will be in series by subjects. If you like to let the artist know your suggestions, please click here to send your words to him.
Watercolor Demonstration Night to NAAA
Yong Chen recently accepted the invitation to demonstrate his watercolor techniques to the Nashua Area Artists Association. The demonstration held at the Nashua Public Library theatre, in the evening of April 13 (Wednesday), start from 7 P.M. The demonstration was free to the NAAA members and the public.
The Prints of Watercolor
An exhibit of the prints of Yong Chen’s recent watercolor paintings, can be seen now at the Borders Bookstore in south Nashua, 281 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua, NH 03060. Call for driving directions: 603.888.9300. The exhibit lasted until the end of March, 2005.
In Harmony with Nature
An exhibit of Yong Chen’s recent watercolor paintings, In Harmony with Nature, can be seen now at the Nashua Public Library, Media Level Image Gallery, 2 Court Street, Nashua, New Hampshire 03060. From January 1, 2005 to February 28, 2005.
This exhibit includes most of the paintings we have listed on this web site, plus work from private collections. Please come and bring your friends!
Directions from the South:
1. Take Everett Turnpike (Rte. 3) north. When you see the sign for Exit 5/Route 111, get in the right lane.
2. Get off at Exit 5-E, Rte. 111 East (Kinsley St.).
3. Take Rte. 111 East to the fourth set of lights and turn left onto Main St..
4. Follow Main St. north and at the third set of lights turn right onto Temple St.
5. Take Temple St. to the second left onto Cottage Ave. and into the City's metered parking lot.
Directions from the North:
1. Take Everett Turnpike (Rte. 3) to Exit 7-E, Rte. 101-A (Amherst St.).
2. Take Rte. 101-A to the major intersection and turn right onto Main St.
3. Follow Main St. south and at the third set of lights turn left onto Temple St.
4. Take Temple St. to the second left onto Cottage Ave. and into the City's metered parking lot.
Watercolor Show and Tell to the Children of Nashua
Yong Chen is offering a Show and Tell with his watercolor painting and demonstrations to the children of Nashua. Yong will demonstrate watercolor fun techniques and share his experience how he grew as an artist. The demonstration will be held at the Nashua Public Library Image Gallery where his paintings currently display, in the evening of February 28 (Monday), start from 2 P.M. It is free to the public, children and adults.
