“I’ve explored many paths in life, but art is something I come back again and again and each time with new experiences! I have over 40+ years of artworks to share - the happiness and joy of life!”
- from the artist
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Artist Bio
Artist Bio
Born and raised in Shanghai China, Leslie Ouyang began exploring Chinese brush painting at at very young age. She later attended Donghua University in Shanghai, MFA program majoring in Fashion Design. After immigrating to California’s San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1990s, Leslie continued her artistic journey in graphic and digital art. In 2003, she received Master Degree in Software Engineering in Silcon Valley. She continued creating while also pursuing a parallel path in R&D science and management. Since 2018 her interest has shifted to fine art again and she began to join exhibitions in galleries and business venues in California, including Blackhawk Gallery, Bishop Ranch City Center,Alameda County Fair, Gallery DaVinci in San Franciso Bay Area and 480 Lighthouse Gallery in Monterey. Today, she creates from her home studio in San Franciso bay area and shares her passion through gallery exhibitions, events and classes.
Leslie’s work blends Eastern and Western techniques, with a particular passion for depicting people and fashion themes through watercolor, ink, and acrylic mediums. She also explores other subjects such as nature, California coast living, and plein air painting.
Leslie believes that art is more than a skill — it is a way of life. To her, being an artist means creating consistently, seeking inspiration, and finding harmony between art and everyday life. In her words:
Art is a lifestyle!
Renaissance Art and Science Studio
Renaissance Art and Science Studio
Renaissance Art and Science studio was founded by Artist Leslie Ouyang in 2024 with the mission to bring together artistic creativity and practical implementation to cultivate a dynamic community that discovers its potential and celebrates the passions in life through our engaging classes, workshops which were designed to inspire innovative thinking and a profound understanding of both ourselves and the world. Whenever you seek to enhance your art technique or escape from your daily life, our studio is the perfect retreat - a place to create your happy memory!
WHY Renaissance Art and Science?
Renaissance Art and Science celebrates multi-talented creative minds — people who are curious about art, science, technology, history, business, and the unknown. Like the Renaissance spirit, we believe creativity has no boundaries.Many creative people feel different because they do not fit into just one category. Our studio is a place to explore, create, and transform that energy into inspiration and innovation. We believe each artist has their own unique art and everyone has unique gifts waiting to be discovered!
“Renaissance” also means rebirth in French. The studio was born after the pandemic, during a time when many people, including myself, experienced major life changes and the loss of loved ones. Through art, we healed, we regrew, and we rebuilt joyful memories.
About My Art
About My Art
I began drawing at a very young age — around five years old, according to my mother. As a child, I was fascinated by traditional Chinese brush painting, especially Gongbi, a meticulous style that focuses on delicate details using very fine brushes. Influenced by the beautiful costumes in classical Chinese novels, I fell in love with painting figures and storytelling scenes. With limited resources at that time, I referenced small storybooks and calendars. This became my earliest self-taught stage.
One of my first “A-ha” moment came around the age of eight when I completed a female character in traditional dress using a ballpoint pen and colored pencils. Throughout my teenage years, I continued creating Gongbi-style figures, carefully refining my brushwork and patience.
Gong Bi Art 1985
In the 1980s, Japanese animation became popular in China, and I began exploring comic-style drawing. By the early 1990s, my interest shifted toward fashion illustration. I started painting fashion figures using Chinese brush techniques, enjoying the fusion of Eastern elegance and modern style.
With curiosity about the world art, I gradually transitioned from Eastern two-dimensional expression to Western three-dimensional drawing. I studied Western art books and learned about values, shading, color theory, and academic fundamentals. This opened a new door in my artistic development.
After graduating from college and working five years at a research science institute in Shanghai, I began questioning my artistic level. Although art had always been part of my life, I was mainly self-taught. To challenge myself, I applied to the Fashion Design MFA program at Donghua University in Shanghai, one of the best design schools in Shanghai. Being accepted felt like recognition from the professional art world and also my scientists' parents — my first art dream accomplished!
During graduate art school, I studied Western academic art, art history and fashion history. I became especially inspired by Chinese minority costumes. China’s rich cultural diversity and traditional garments became an important source of inspiration for my figure paintings. At the same time, I discovered watercolor. It shared similarities with Chinese brush painting but offered a different approach. While Eastern painting emphasizes expressive two-dimensional aesthetics, Western watercolor often focuses on light, structure, and realism. Exploring both worlds helped shape my artistic style.
Fashion Art 1996
In the late 1990s, I moved to the United States, where digital art and the internet were booming. Curious as always, I learned graphic design and digital editing skills. I worked as a digital artist for small businesses, gaining valuable experience connecting art, design, and real-world needs. Later, I returned to school and earned a Master’s degree in Software Engineering in Silicon Valley with my curiosity in web front. While working in scientific management, I continued painting in my spare time, inspired by fashion, nature, and travel.
In the middle 2000, I made a trip to Europe and visited Louvre Museum and Museums of Impressions for the first time. Seeing Baroque and Rococo art in person gave me lots of inspiration in my art. My "Abstract Rococo" currently displayed at the 480 Lighthouse Gallery in Monterey bay is one of my favorite themes!
In 2017, during a trip back to Shanghai, my mother showed me the paintings she had carefully saved from my early years. I was deeply moved. Many of these works carried memories I had almost forgotten. After returning to the United States, I began sharing them with friends — and even strangers. One day, while sharing my work with a woman at a café, she became emotional. She told me she had lost touch with her dreams and creativity in daily life, and my art gave her hope. She encouraged me to share my work with more people. She even told me that I cannot be "too selfish" as there are people need to see it. Her words stayed with me.
In 2018, I decided to hold my first art show. I submitted my works to local art events and galleries and were accepted. I joined artist associations and began actively sharing my works. Since then, my life has changed. I found my artistic home in my second hometown and began living with a purpose.
Today, my painting style is more expressive. I call it it Contemporary Watercolor — a natural evolution from traditional discipline (skill-focus) to intuitive creation. I trust spontaneous expression while allowing skills to come naturally to guide my hand. Listen to my inner voice without over-thinking!
I also developed a style I call it, Watercolor on Canvas, a fusion approach using Eastern way to deliver western Wet-on-Wet techniques on Western materials. This method allows freedom, movement and imagination while staying connected to my root - A feeling of home and happiness! My journey continues — through art we discover ourselves discover lives!
Fashion Blue - Acrylic On Canvas 20"x30"
Bishop Ranch City Center 2018-2021
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