Canton China – 1952

Alexander Chen commissioned in 2008 to create this piece entitled “Beijing, China” to commemorate the Beijing, China Olympic Games

Alexander Chen, an ordinary man with an extraordinary vision and talent, was born in Canton China in 1952. Alexander began drawing as a child developing his craft as he moved through the many changes that came into his life. At age 16, he moved to the countryside where for the next four years he worked as a farmer, all the while continuing to record in his art the world as it evolved before him. Then for six years he worked for an on the road theater, painting stage backgrounds.

At age 26 Alexander found himself once again in Canton, but this time as a student at the art schools and colleges where he continued his studies in art. While in art school, he met a fellow student who would later become his wife. Much had changed for this city born artist who for so many years lived as a country bumpkin.

Alexander’s appreciation for both worlds gave him the broader dimensions visually and emotionally to translate into his paintings — the heart and soul of city life – as well as capturing the creator’s genius that so evident in the beautiful countryside and magnificent mountains.

In 1989 Alexander and his wife immigrated to America where he quickly translated his love for the United States into paintings that reflect deep feelings for our bustling cities and our beautiful countryside and national parks.

Many of these images have been used by companies such as; Toshiba Electric, Northwest Airlines and Shin Nippon Co (Japan). Many others are used as calendars, jigsaw puzzles, book illustrations and other retail products.

Alexander’s paintings successfully capture perspectives others miss or cannot see. He spends as much as two months to complete many of his major works, all of which become, part of his “Collectible Memories” series. These are gifts to his adopted land, things of beauty to be shared by all in appreciation of being given the opportunity to live a life he could only have dreamed of as a child.