Lucie (right) exhibited the Happy Birds series for a 10-minute exhibition in Prague. Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
Two drawings of “Happy Birds” Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
Story
By Chen Miaolin
“Art is not just about creating pretty pictures. It’s about connecting with people, making them feel something--even if it’s just a smile.”
Indeed, Lucie Loosová’s art has the power to evoke smiles, much like the one she always wears. Favoring bright colors, her smile is as warm as the sun, bringing vitality and positivity wherever she goes. Her work is a breath of fresh air in the art world, consistently ready to delight audiences.
Stage design: the curtain rises on creativity
Lucie was born into a creative Czech family, where teenagers choose their paths early. At 13, she embarked on a journey that would shape her destiny, choosing toy design and unlocking a world of fantasy and creativity--igniting a lifelong passion.
With a Master’s degree in Stage and Custom Design and a PhD in Theater, Lucie’s work has taken her across nations including the Czech Republic, the U.S., Germany, and more. With over 130 productions to her name, her designs span ballets, operas, classical theater, and contemporary drama. At the heart of her work lies a desire to create sanctuaries where audiences can escape their troubles and revel in the joy of storytelling.
For Lucie, the magic lies in crafting these worlds, knowing her creations offer respite from life’s hardships. The joy of seeing her audience lose themselves in her narratives fuels her relentless pursuit of design excellence and her mission to spread happiness through her art.
Blending East and West: a creative hot pot
2015 marked a new chapter in Lucie’s life when she moved to Shanghai and immersed herself in Chinese culture. It was also there that she discovered Chinese ink painting.
Initially, Lucie struggled with the complexities of the Chinese language. “I tried my best to learn,” she admitted, “but my brain seemed to have its limits.” Yet, this obstacle drove her deeper into ink painting, where she discovered a newfound freedom of expression. As she put it, “The brush became my wand, and rice paper, my stage.”
Her art evolved, blending Eastern aesthetics with Western sensibilities, reflecting the unpredictable beauty of life. “If something goes wrong, you stop, step back, and find the essence of beauty in the moment,” she explained, referring to the serendipitous nature of ink painting.
“In Western art, we often work like fire--fast and intense,” she observed. “But in Chinese ink painting, it’s more like water--gentle, thoughtful, yet immensely powerful.” This balance between fire and water inspired Lucie to fuse Eastern and Western aesthetics into a hot pot of ideas and techniques.
In 2023, she moved to Hangzhou, where she further explored traditional craftsmanship, marveling at the construction of old pagodas, palaces, and tea rooms. Her curiosity also led her to explore the harmony between nature and human creations.
“Happy Birds” series: wings of joy
“In a world filled with noise, my birds offer a silent song of happiness and love,” Lucie said, standing not just as an artist but a storyteller.
“Happy Birds” marks a new chapter in her artistic journey. Now in its fourth year, this daily ritual of creating whimsical birds stems from her desire to bring joy to others. “It wasn’t easy. I once thought about quitting and trying something else, but my audience said, ‘We need the birds. We need them every day on our phones.’ That’s why I keep going.”
These birds, with their expressive eyes and dynamic poses, reflect the simple pleasures of her daily life--cooking, reading, playing, and traveling. Each bird carries a red heart, symbolizing the love she pours into her art and the love she hopes everyone carries. “You can find a happy moment in every day,” she shared, and her birds are reminders of those moments.
With heart and passion, Lucie’s exhibition, “Happy Birds: A Journey of Love,” featuring 50 drawings, will run from Sep 15 to Oct 15, blending the essence of Chinese calligraphy with Western painting. Each stroke is filled with humor and vitality, conveying warmth across cultures.
For Lucie Loosová, art is not a profession-it’s a way of life. Her definition of success is as unique as her art. “Success for me is different. It means being healthy enough to live and create,” she reflected. Her work is not about fame or fortune, but about the connections it forges, the emotions it sparks, and the joy it conveys.