The Strathmore Library features an artist in its gallery each month.
For June, the featured artist is Yiling. Xu, who also goes by Vivian. Xu's exhibit features a range of her artworks displayed throughout the building, showcasing her talent across several mediums.
Xu moved to Strathmore nine months ago from Chongqing, China, to study at Strathmore High School.
Xu works in a variety of mediums, including watercolour and oil painting, but said that pencil sketching remains her favourite. She said that her love of art is tied to happiness. Her sketch of a war horse is currently on display at the library as part of her exhibit.
"I feel like by drawing all of those details on the paper, I am making them alive," Xu reflected.
Still, not every creative process has come easily. She finds oil painting the most challenging. Xu revealed that Western oil painting techniques differ from the traditional Chinese methods she first learned.
Even more difficult was to accept her own creative voice. Though she began exploring art at a young age, Xu struggled with comparing her artwork to other artists--a habit she has learned to overcome.
"Don't compare your artwork with the others," she advised, "Just paint your ideas, because art shouldn't be limited to one specific standard."
She also expressed a desire to see more appreciation for artists and their role in society.
"Artists should get more recognition. Though people think that art is not that useful to their life, I think that's what the meaning of life is."
Back in China, Xu said that the focus was strictly academic.
"In the city I lived in before, students are just students. We only study, and if you want to be amazing, you have to do competitions and learn a lot of things in school, but not exactly the other things--if you are good at art and not studying, people might judge you," Xu said about the different attitudes on art. "But here, I see drama classes, band, and so many other things I've never known before. That surprised me."
Xu also plays flute, her favourite instrument, in the high school band. Music, like drawing, has become a creative outlet she didn't have access to before.
"I was not able to get known for art or music because we were told to just focus on studying, and that made me feel depression. I can't live with a life that's not colourful."
Within her time in Strathmore, Xu has gained support from her mom and her art teacher Brandy Roberts in her art explorations. Roberts had encouraged Xu to compete in art competitions, and Xu participated in the Alberta University of the Arts Showoff program, where she won the Award of Merit.
"Since I moved here, those colours have made me come back to life again. I can't live with a boring life."
Looking ahead, Xu plans to follow a medical path while continuing to nurture her artistic passions.
"I want to do something for the community and for society," she said, revealing her drive to pursue her dreams.
You can see some of her art here.