Today we’d like to introduce you to Mercedes Ng
Hi Mercedes , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in Hong Kong, I loved to doodle as a kid. Whether at church or restaurants, I would ask my mom for a pen and draw on an old relief society agenda or on the blank side of a paper menu. I wasn’t the brightest kid at school. But I was good at drawing. If you could have seen all the doodles in my textbooks, you’d understand how “attentive” I was in class.
Throughout most of my life, people believe and have told me that there’s no money in art. I remember seeing a stack of professionally drawn comics my Dad created and asking him why he didn’t become a cartoonist. He said, “You can’t make money being a cartoonist. And your grandpa died when I was young. I needed to make money to provide for my family.” Though my father did not pursue comics as his career, he did instill a love of art in me from the time I was young. My parents encouraged me to take art classes outside of school and to apply for local art competitions.
I came to Utah as an international student in my junior year in High School. I was terrified of being away from my friends and family and was absolutely intimidated by the new environment around me. The language was a barrier of course. Despite all my studies and preparation, at first I thought people weren’t actually speaking English because of how fast and slurred they spoke. Without the help of compassionate friends, I wouldn’t have made it through high school. Afterwards, I started college at the University of Utah and later finished my Bachelor of Arts in Brigham Young University in 2020. I know my parents still prefer a degree in animation or architecture – any field that would lead me to a high-paying career. Regardless, I am grateful that my parents supported my decision to study abroad and still get a degree in Art.
As for who I am now, I’d say I’m someone who creates art that makes me love life! I have a day job at one of the universities at Utah. During the weekends, I like to stay in my art studio and paint. There is nothing wrong with making art while trying to support yourself through other means. I would like others to know that I love what I do, and I am proud of it. My works have been part of multiple group exhibitions and solo shows. And I try to participate in different art festivals and markets throughout the year. So yeah, I’m kind of all over the place. But whenever I’m at my studio (which is also our dining room), wearing my muumuu or pj’s with a paint brush in my hand, I know that’s where I belong.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Especially after I graduated from college, I waited for several months for my work authorization to come in the mail. During that time, I couldn’t drive or look for a job. Go figure. And yes, I was depressed. But the bright side was, in those months I made twice the number of paintings that I’d produced in any single semester up to that point.
Now that I work in fields that have nothing to do with art, sometimes I blame myself for not doing art full-time and feel insecure about my artistic abilities. I have to remind myself over and over again that I love what I do, and I am proud of it. There is nothing wrong with making art while trying to support myself through other means.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I paint about things and places that matter to me. For example, the past few years have been a difficult year for many people in Hong Kong due to Covid-19 and political unrest. I made pieces of empty wet markets, streets, and shopping malls to juxtapose the chaotic reality. I’m known for these Hong Kong themed paintings, and I am proud of my identity as a person of color, specifically a native Hong Konger. Sometimes, I paint whatever attracts my attention; I have painted buildings, cans of spam, balloons, and a lot of food related subjects. It’s quite random. The idea is to make art out of everyday sites, whether that’s cityscapes or food – most of my paintings are in oil. This background and my method of showcasing the beauty in everyday experiences, is what sets me apart.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My biggest cheerleader in my art career has definitely been my husband. He’s not only incredibly supportive but also helps me run my art booths, acts as my ‘muscle’ for moving heavy equipment, and even proofreads my proposals and applications. His help truly means the world to me. I’m also really grateful for his family, who always show up to my shows, as well as the artist community that continues to inspire me and encourage me to share my work fearlessly.
I’m lucky to have amazing coworkers at my day job, many of whom come to my art shows and craft fairs to offer their love and support. Even though my parents live abroad, they’re always eager to pitch in whenever they visit—whether it’s being my booth buddy or attending my show openings. And of course, I’m truly thankful to everyone who takes the time to check out my art, whether they purchase something or not. Their presence and appreciation mean so much to me and keeps me going as a part-time creative.
Pricing:
- My original paintings range from $50 to $1500 depending on size. I hand-build frames all of my works, so that will be included in the cost as well.
- My prints are between $6 to $20 depending on size. A 4″x4″ is $6 and a 8″x8″ is $15.
- I offer mini original paintings that are 3″x3″ in size and it comes with a small easel. Each costs $25.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mercedesng.com
- Instagram: mercedesng_art
