Work - Rayna Lo

CALLIGRAPHY & ILLUSTRATION

<strong>陸 Family</strong><br><br>The universe indeed works in funny and mysterious ways. This commission came to me at a time when I was healing from heartbreak and mourning a loved one—paralleling the client’s state. <br><br>To find closure, the client requested a custom design to honor his late wife. The design will also be engraved on a tombstone. <br><br>Their surname is surrounded by calla lilies, which were his wife’s favorite flowers. The flowers represent purity, faithfulness, and holiness. <br><br>I drew five calla lilies to represent the couple and their kids. They are all surrounding the family name with connecting lilies to represent their unbreakable and interconnected bond. There is a circular base shape to the artwork to represent earth and one calla lily reaching for the heavens. <br><br>This piece has not only given me the opportunity to help with closure for this family, but for myself. Listening to his story and creating this piece has undoubtedly aided in my healing as well. <br><br>22 x 30 inches. Gold ink on black paper.

陸 Family

The universe indeed works in funny and mysterious ways. This commission came to me at a time when I was healing from heartbreak and mourning a loved one—paralleling the client’s state.

To find closure, the client requested a custom design to honor his late wife. The design will also be engraved on a tombstone.

Their surname is surrounded by calla lilies, which were his wife’s favorite flowers. The flowers represent purity, faithfulness, and holiness.

I drew five calla lilies to represent the couple and their kids. They are all surrounding the family name with connecting lilies to represent their unbreakable and interconnected bond. There is a circular base shape to the artwork to represent earth and one calla lily reaching for the heavens.

This piece has not only given me the opportunity to help with closure for this family, but for myself. Listening to his story and creating this piece has undoubtedly aided in my healing as well.

22 x 30 inches. Gold ink on black paper.

Dragon 龍 <br><br> In Chinese mythology, dragons traditionally symbolize strong and auspicious power with control over water, rainfall, lightning and thunder. The calligraphy brush strokes represent their power and vigor with the strokes representing their movement in the heavenly skies. <br><br> Generally, dragon and phoenix are written/illustrated together to symbolize a fruitful marriage. However, I chose to write them separately to have their beauty and splendor stand on their own. <br><br> Sumi ink. 11×14 in. <br><br> Artwork featured at Art on Paper 2021 (Pier 36) in New York City with Azart Gallery

Dragon 龍

In Chinese mythology, dragons traditionally symbolize strong and auspicious power with control over water, rainfall, lightning and thunder. The calligraphy brush strokes represent their power and vigor with the strokes representing their movement in the heavenly skies.

Generally, dragon and phoenix are written/illustrated together to symbolize a fruitful marriage. However, I chose to write them separately to have their beauty and splendor stand on their own.

Sumi ink. 11×14 in.

Artwork featured at Art on Paper 2021 (Pier 36) in New York City with Azart Gallery

Phoenix 鳳 <br><br> In Chinese mythology, the phoenix an immortal bird whose rare appearance is said to be an omen foretelling harmony. I’ve been seeing a lot of phoenix like birds in my visions and hope that they serve as a sign for peace to come. In non-Asian culture, the phoenix signifies transformation, death, and rebirth in its fire. The phoenix is also the ultimate symbol of strength and renewal. The calligraphy brush strokes represent my transformation and power as I renew myself from a recent heartbreak. <br><br> The phoenix motif is often used along with dragon motifs. However, I chose to write them separately to exist as independent equals. <br><br> Sumi ink. 11×14 in. <br><br> Artwork featured at Art on Paper 2021 (Pier 36) in New York City with Azart Gallery

Phoenix 鳳

In Chinese mythology, the phoenix an immortal bird whose rare appearance is said to be an omen foretelling harmony. I’ve been seeing a lot of phoenix like birds in my visions and hope that they serve as a sign for peace to come. In non-Asian culture, the phoenix signifies transformation, death, and rebirth in its fire. The phoenix is also the ultimate symbol of strength and renewal. The calligraphy brush strokes represent my transformation and power as I renew myself from a recent heartbreak.

The phoenix motif is often used along with dragon motifs. However, I chose to write them separately to exist as independent equals.

Sumi ink. 11×14 in.

Artwork featured at Art on Paper 2021 (Pier 36) in New York City with Azart Gallery

Heart to Heart <br><br> 心印心 means heart to heart (literal translation means heart prints on the heart). This piece was created for the 2022 edition of the Heart to Heart calendar project. Each month features inspirational quotes in both English and Chinese that are created by local and international artists. <br><br> My goal was to create something elegant that connected our hearts together. The thin lines are delicately hand-drawn to represent the threads that connect us. <br><br> The calendars are handed out to seniors, recovering substance abusers, and the often forgotten in our Asian community. This project was a labor of love with the goal to uplift others–especially during these challenging years. Calendars are distributed in the Bay Area of California. <br><br> 11×14 in. Black ink on mixed media paper. 2021.

Heart to Heart

心印心 means heart to heart (literal translation means heart prints on the heart). This piece was created for the 2022 edition of the Heart to Heart calendar project. Each month features inspirational quotes in both English and Chinese that are created by local and international artists.

My goal was to create something elegant that connected our hearts together. The thin lines are delicately hand-drawn to represent the threads that connect us.

The calendars are handed out to seniors, recovering substance abusers, and the often forgotten in our Asian community. This project was a labor of love with the goal to uplift others–especially during these challenging years. Calendars are distributed in the Bay Area of California.

11×14 in. Black ink on mixed media paper. 2021.

Family Portrait

Private commission. The owner wanted a fun and playful series to celebrate her family with their respective Chinese zodiac signs. For the husband and wife, I embedded their personalities into their respective characters. She enjoys country music and he enjoys pizza and running.

蛇 means snake

龍 means dragon

羊 means sheep

馬 means horse

The owner also wanted these pieces to follow a consistent convention in the event of a new arrival in their family. Currently, there are 4 pieces but the final art count has yet to be determined. I love that they created a way to incorporate future growth with these art works.

11 x 14 in each. Mixed media. May 2021.

Chyrsanthemum

Chrysanthemums are a symbol of vitality and longevity as they bloom in the midst of frost as other flowers begin to wither. They symbolize the virtue to withstand all adversity. The chrysanthemum is also one of the four noble gentlemen in Chinese culture.

There’s a specific type of chrysanthemum that I used for inspiration for this piece: the lili gallon chrysanthemum. I love these because they have huge blooms where the petals organically flow in all directions. I chose black and white to align with client’s requested neutral color palette and added a red structural component to complement the greenery in client’s home.

The materials used were traditional mulberry fiber paper from Japan with gouache and acrylic paints. The paper choice reflects your Asian heritage and adds a subtle traditional element to the modern piece.

31 x 43 in. Gouache and Acrylic. 2021.