Introduce Artist
My Linh (Millie) Mac
@millie_d_mac
My Linh Mac is a Saigonsese multi-media artist, visual designer, and art educator based in Fort-Collins, Mac is best known for her digital paintings, traditional oil paintings, and her series of contemporary ‘galactic /no-brush’ paintings- Ranbu. As an accomplished painter, her works portray beauty in humble places with her signature style of deep and vibrant accent colors. Mac discovered nontraditional techniques bring further variety to her paintings through the use of color and medium manipulation and exploring different possibilities with hybrid-like presentation platforms. What makes her work stand out among young emerging artists is how she incorporates not only technical skills and knowledge from multiple creative fields of design, art, and technologies; but also, her personal experience and cultural exposure from different parts of the world as a traveler.
My Linh’s works have been displayed at art exhibitions and showcases around the world. She demonstrates an exceptional talent for creating depth and dimension in her iconic series ‘Ranbu’ (2019) and ‘Constellation’ (2022), incorporatingtraditional painting techniques and unconventional design elements to produce a unique visual language. Her abstract works are represented by institutions worldwide including the Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery in Tasmania, Australia, the Angard Art Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, the Brauer Museum in Valparaiso, the Czong Institute for Contemporary Art (CICA) Museum in Gimpo, South Korea, and the Museum of Outstanding Design (MOOD) in Como, Italy.
To illustrate the evolution of contemporary social media influencer culture, I selected Japanese Oirans, who were esteemed women in the Edo period who capitalized on their beauty, and entertainment skills, and even provided intimate services. Despite the vast time difference, the parallels between these Oirans and modern influencers are striking. Both groups are entrepreneurial, investing resources, time, and effort into enhancing their appearances and lifestyles.
Being a fervent admirer of Japanese culture, I recognized an opportunity to reconnect with my inner otaku and embarked on a personal project using the cutting-edge software, Mental Canvas. Within just 12 days and with no prior architectural training, I set out to sefl- taught this new software from scratch and create a mesmerizing masterpiece. The initial step involved storyboarding, followed by character design and illustration. However, the most exhilarating part of the process lay in crafting intricate floral patterns for each kimono and devising a world with my unique modern twist.
The final stage of my project proved to be both daring and rewarding – a true "high-risk high-return" endeavor. It compelled me to explore uncharted territories by seamlessly integrating Mental Canvas with animation, motion graphics, and video editing software that I have been familiar with for years. Through this amalgamation of traditional and modern mediums, I successfully infused elements of time travel throughout the animation, serving as a visual representation of how tradition has evolved. This artistic expression allows me to pay homage to my Asian heritage while showcasing my appreciation for both the traditional art of watercolor and the versatility of digital art.
Please reach out for downloadable video of the work.
Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=govpzAW5lUI
Website Link: https://www.mylinhmac.com/the-show-must-go-on
