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Christina Yee 🐼 cyee.art | Artist

@cyee.art

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🎨 Fine Art Watercolorist | Illustrator
🌿 Original art, art prints, greeting cards

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This piece began as a mistake.I had ordered custom matboards but it arrived with this tiny, tiny opening. It was so small it felt almost absurd. I was so frustrated because it didn't fit the vision I had for this painting that I wanted to do. Then, on a Zoom call, I showed it to my friend, she laughed and said simply, “You should draw that.”So I did.This became a very literal self-portrait of me as an artist - slightly stuck, a little boxed in, and trying to figure out what to do next. That’s where the title "Portrait of an Artist (Temporarily Trapped)" comes from. But the “trapped” part didn’t last. What started as a mistake actually became a part of the story, transforming the mistake into something completely different and honestly, better than what I first had planned.This drawing became a reminder to myself that creative blocks and mistakes aren't always dead ends, and ... it just means it can lead you to something new.My drawing, Portrait of an Artist (Temporarily Trapped), is currently on exhibit at the Cooper Center in Newton until end of January. If you are local, I hope you can go and check it out! by @cyee.art

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7 months ago

Happy post-Thanksgiving week! It's my first day back at the drawing table and I'm pretty excited to be working on this one. Here is my interpretation for the #drawwithjjoz art challenge hosted by @jmurhop @trinketsetc @oliviadrawsandpaints and @zandrapaints. I took some pics of the progress along the back from just shades of gray, to the white highlights and finally, to the gold highlights. I would have been pretty happy with any of the versions but I really do like my final version with the gold highlights. I feel like it really added to the warmth and depth to the overall composition. Hope you enjoy it too!Thanks again to Jessica, Jan, Olivia and Zandra for this month's challenge! .📷 : @zandrapaints..........#copicmarkers #finelinerdrawing #kuretake #goldpaint #goldhighlights #traditionalart #artofinstagram #instaartist #instart #artistsupport #drawingoftheday #artistsofinstagram #artistoninstagram #artdaily #artinspo #dailyartpost #dailyartwork #dtiysart #dtiys #drawthisinyourstyle #drawingchallenge #makethisinyourstyle #drawthisinyourstylechallenge #drawthisinyourownstyle by @cyee.art

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3 years ago

I'm so excited to finally share this latest commissioned piece. The reference photo was taken by my client’s daughter on her trip to Venice. I’m always soo, soo grateful when I’m trusted to turn these beautiful photos into paintings and letting it live a little differently. 💕 by @cyee.art

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7 months ago

I’ve finally had a chance to sit down and look through all the photos from Newton Open Studios. I realize that what stands out at the end of the day isn’t so much the artwork as it was the people and the conversations. It’s the stories that was shared as they walked through the space. Over and over again, someone would stop in front of a painting and tell me about their favorite beach, a family vacation, a childhood memory, or a special place that still lives in their heart.Those are the moments why I paint.Thank you to everyone who visited, asked questions, shared stories or brought a piece of artwork home.My heart is full, my studio a mess and I’m already talking about what’s next. by @cyee.art

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2 months ago

Yes, of course it is necessary to recreate the artwork in real life. 😄A huge thank you to @momdaughter_art and my husband for helping me document this big moment for me!! 💕And now, shifting gears.I have officially entered the "organized chaos" stage of preparation. 😅If you'd like to see what I've been working on lately, including my newest Cape Cod Memories collection, I'll be at Church of the Redeemer this Saturday and Sunday from 11–5.379 Hammond St., Chestnut Hill. Hope to see you there!#NewtonOpenStudios #GBHCommunityCanvas #BostonArtist #WatercolorArtist #PortraitOfAnArtist @wgbh @thecultureshowgbh @newtonopenstudios by @cyee.art

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2 months ago

Not every piece has to be large to tell a story.I've been spending A LOT of time with these little pieces. Some are original watercolor paintings, while others are framed fine art prints.I love that they each tell a story in their own way.The original minis may be small in size, but each one is hand-painted in watercolor, matted, framed, and finished as a complete piece of artwork.The framed minis make it easy to bring home a favorite image, give it as a gift, or be reminded of a place, moment, or feeling that makes you smile. Sometimes the smallest pieces are the ones that make us smile every time we walk by.I'll have both original mini watercolors and framed mini prints available at Newton Open Studios this weekend.Which would you choose: an original mini watercolor or a framed mini print?Church of the Redeemer379 Hammond St.Chestnut Hill, MAMay 30–3111am–5pm2 more days to go!!!!! by @cyee.art

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2 months ago

Oh heeeey... 👀Don't mind me. I'll just be peeking over the Mass Pike today. 🤭I'm incredibly excited (and honestly a little stunned) that this piece was selected to be featured on the giant WGBH digital billboard from 2–8 PM!If you've followed this artwork's journey, you know it began from an unexpected shipping error with my matboards that eventually grew into an entire series. To see it now displayed on a screen the size of a building feels surreal.Thank you to @wgbh and @thecultureshowgbh for supporting artists through the Community Canvas program, and to @letvincarolyn for sharing the opportunity with the community.And if you're an artist, submissions for the Community Canvas are open. I highly encourage you to apply. Here is the link:https://bit.ly/GBHCommunityCanvasIf you happen to spot it, snap a photo and tag me - I would absolutely love to see it from your point of view!WGBH Billboard, BrightonToday, 2–8 PM #GBHCommunityCanvas #TheCultureShow #GBH by @cyee.art

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2 months ago

The weekend is almost here, and I feel like I can finally see the finish line in the distance.For the past couple of months, I've been painting, framing, matting, pricing, planning, updating the website, revising, and just plain ol' wondering if I'd actually get everything done in time.Now, with Newton Open Studios only a few days away, the collection is finally starting to come together.These are just a few of the pieces coming with me this weekend. A number of the new paintings haven't been shared online yet and will be making their first appearance at Open Studios.There are still labels to print, website to finish updating, and probably a few late nights ahead... but I'm excited.If you're local, I'd love to see you this weekend.Church of the Redeemer379 Hammond St.Chestnut Hill, MAMay 30–31 11am–5pmOnly 4 more days to go!!!!#newtonopenstudios #thisweekend #thisweekendonly #NewtonMA #Newton #thingstodoinnewton by @cyee.art

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2 months ago

Here's another little moment that didn't feel like a big moment at the time ... but did end up becoming a core memory."Just one more!", my niece would say when it's time to go. This piece is now part of a new group of watercolor paintings in my Cape Cod Memories collection, a series inspired by the little moments that shape a childhood.I’ll be sharing these and other new works at Newton Open Studios later this month.If you’re local, I’d love for you to come by and see everything in person.📍 Church of the RedeemerChestnut Hill, MAMay 30–3111am–5pm by @cyee.art

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2 months ago

Of all the homes we’ve rented at the Cape over the years, one of the most common things to find in the garages, aside from beach chairs, are surprisingly, kites! When my kids were much younger, we would always look for them as soon as we got there, and whenever we had the chance, we’d take them down to the beach to fly them.It’s the running, the tossing of the kite into the wind, and the excitement when it finally catches. And of course, that feeling of standing on the beach with nowhere else you need to be.I think it’s often these simple little traditions that end up becoming the memories we carry with us the longest. by @cyee.art

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2 months ago

Folks, that’s a wrap on the 2025–2026 season with the @newtonartassociation ❤️This was my first full year serving on the board as Exhibitions Co-Chair, and honestly, I came into it thinking mostly about the logistics behind putting shows together. What I didn’t expect was how much it would deepen my connection to the local art community.This year brought so many conversations, friendships, problem-solving sessions, installations, award ceremonies and receptions, last-minute scrambling😬 , shared laughs, and moments of celebrating artists together.I learned how much work happens quietly behind the scenes to create opportunities for artists and also how much heart people pour into building a creative community. I think as artists, it’s easy to feel like we have to figure everything out alone. But this year reminded me how important it is to grow alongside other artists who genuinely want to support each other.Really grateful to everyone I met through NAA this year, especially the board members and volunteers who welcomed me into the process and taught me so much along the way, especially @gtgram and @judith.hurwitzAlready excited for what’s ahead next season. by @cyee.art

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2 months ago

I think shell collecting might be one of those universal childhood memories.My little one used to bring me all his “best” shell finds, and standing just over three feet tall at the time, this painting was inspired by the view of me looking down at him in those moments.I remember laughing to myself at these moments because technically it was just a chipped shell or a tiny broken piece… but to him, it was the perfect one he had found for me.And somehow that made it perfect to me too.I think a part of me already knew, even back then, that these were the kinds of moments I never wanted to forget.What’s something small a child once gave you that you still remember? by @cyee.art

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2 months ago