by Shu-Ping Tseng

About the Artist
Shu-Ping Tseng (曾淑萍) was born in Hualien, Taiwan. A nature lover with a gentle mind. She used to work as a nurse in an ER, at a public health center and was an overseas volunteer. In 2014, Tseng moved to the U.S. and now lives in Oak Park, IL with her husband and son. She enjoys trying new things like drawing, meditation and hula. She is on the search for her new career.

Artist’s Statement
Around two years ago, through a friend I started to learn the style of drawing, called Zentangle. “Life is an art form and each of us is an artist” (from zentangle.com). What a simple but powerful sentence! So, with my curiosity I gave it a try. I used to be scared to death to share my drawings, especially when I was a little girl, totally lacking confidence in art with my be-perfect-Asian-mind. However, along the way, I’ve rediscovered my artistic spirit and have received positive feedback from my family and friends. When I hear the compliments and admiration, I always say, “If I can do it, you can do it, too. Just give it a try. There is no right or wrong in this method; only joy.”

Alligator Balligator is one of my very early works, named and co-created by my 9-year-old son Shervin. Simply tracing the coffee-tea dye, I followed the flow of feeling and drew it slowly with calm and peace. My son recognized the alligator. It wasn’t planned but came out on its own with its own character and story.