Cecilia Xiao

I am a self-taught artist who has never pursued formal training. This path has granted me a unique perspective on painting, free from preconceived notions or techniques. Over many years, I have refined my skills and cultivated my distinctive style.
My watercolour paintings celebrate the timeless beauty of flowers by capturing their delicate essence with gentle brushstrokes and vivid hues. Through translucent layers and fluidity, I replicate the softness of petals, intricate details, and subtle gradations of colour that define each bloom. This medium allows me to convey not just their physical beauty, but also their ephemeral nature and emotional resonance, creating visual poetry that mirrors the natural rhythms of growth and decay.
The unpredictability of watercolours make them fascinating to work with. I love to watch colours blend into each other; the wonderful "accidents" that happen with the flow of colours cannot be achieved by any other medium that I know of. Painting is my form of freedom and expression -- at this point, I feel almost addicted to it. I hope you enjoy my paintings as much as I have enjoyed creating them.

Since 2019, I have been honoured to be chosen by the Australian Watercolour Muster for four years co...

2023 - Australian Watercolour Muster - 2020 in Old Court House in Cairns, Chemisty of Watercolour
2023 - Watercolour Society of Queensland Annual Exhibition, Brisbane
2022 - Australian Watercolour Muster - 2020 in Old Court House in Cairns
2022 - Watercolour Society of Queensland Annual Exhibition, Brisbane
2021 - Australian Watercolour Muster - 2020 in Old Court House in Cairns
2021 - Watercolour Society of Queensland Annual Exhibition, Brisbane
2020 - Australian Watercolour Muster - 2020 in Old Court House in Cairns
2020 - Twin rivers Art Show, TWIN RIVERS COMMUNITY HUB
2020 - Albert Park College Art Show, Albert Park College Melbourne
2019 - Watercolour Society of Queensland Annual Exhibition 2019, Brisbane