Local artist profile: Zexuan Lin

THIS week we chat with local painter Zexuan Lin, who said she first started painting after coming across the work of legendary TV host and art instructor Bob Ross online and was inspired about the courage and joy in his approach.

What motivated you to take up painting?

I first started painting after I came across the oil paintings of Bob Ross online.

I experimented with some of his techniques, and soon I found myself really enjoying the process.

What inspired me most about Bob Ross was the courage and joy in his approach – it felt like “happy painting.”

That spirit encouraged me to begin, and it has stayed with me ever since.

How would you describe your style?

At first, I followed along with Bob Ross, but over time I discovered that what I enjoyed most was letting go and allowing myself to enter a state of flow.

When I paint, I often listen to music and create in a very relaxed space, and that’s when the process feels natural and joyful.

Painting, for me, is also a way of returning to my inner self – a bridge that connects me to my own spirit.

It’s both uplifting and grounding, a path for me to seek and strengthen my inner world.

That’s why my style is intuitive, free, and flowing.

Which other painters inspire you and why?

I admire Bob Ross for the courage and joy he brought into painting.

But beyond any single artist, I’m inspired by painters who create with intuition and emotion.

That’s what resonates with me, because I also want to capture something invisible and let it flow onto the canvas.

Have you had any mentors over your career so far?

I’ve learned from many people along the way – artists I’ve seen online, friends who share their perspectives and even customers who tell me how my paintings make them feel.

Every bit of feedback and connection has been part of my learning.

What are some highlights you have from your time as a painter so far?

Some of the most meaningful moments are when people connect with my paintings on a personal level.

Those moments are very special, because they remind me that what starts as my own inner exploration can also touch someone else’s heart.

How can people check out your work online?

I share my work on Instagram at @artbylinzexuan

I also have a shop space (160 Eaglehawk Road Long Gully) where people can visit.

What are you working on right now?

I don’t usually paint with a set purpose or plan and I rarely make sketches beforehand.

For me, painting is a form of self-exploration – an inner journey.

It’s also a way to express my emotions directly onto the canvas.

So, instead of working on “projects,” I see each painting as part of an ongoing dialogue with myself.

What would you say to regional aspiring painters who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

I don’t believe art is about having a strong technical foundation or following a specific school or teacher.

True art is an expression and a dialogue from within – it’s about being present in the moment, letting yourself enter the flow and allowing what’s inside you to come through.

If your work can resonate with people who are on the same frequency, then that is the best kind of art.

You don’t need to wait until you’ve mastered a certain technique before you start – art can begin at any time, because it’s a free, authentic form of creation.