jolene lai

Art Blog

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'Lighthouse' Oil on Wood Panel 12 by 12 inches 2026

(Available now via Thinkspace Projects)

This piece is inspired by a goldfish lantern my parents bought me one year for the Mid-Autumn Festival when I was a kid. This was one of my most treasured handheld battery operated lanterns that I would carry year after year when the Mid-Autumn Festival approached. I don't own it anymore (which I deeply regret), because you know, things get discarded as you age. The good thing about getting older though, is the ability to recall fond memories that got chucked away. I thought about that cherished goldfish last Mid-Autumn and decided to create a piece as a tribute to this old friend. I sent my mother a picture of the finished painting and she recognized it immediately without any explanation from me. And while this work started with a childhood memory, I feel it’s really a celebration of a sense of nostalgia I share with her.

For the 'Small Mercies' group exhibition with Thinkspace Projects & Antler Gallery.

‘SMALL MERCIES' Thinkspace x Talon x Antler Opening reception: Thursday, June 25, 6-9PM.

Celebrating moments of empathy, intimacy and connection that brings us comfort in dark times.

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'Moonrise'

Oil on Canvas

24 by  30 inches

2025 

Artwork by Jolene Lai. Original artwork available at Thinkspace Projects.

Limited Edition Prints of 'Moonrise' available at Static Medium.

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Detail view of the work in progress of 'Familiar', my new work for a group exhibition titled '16 x 20' which comprises of artists all working on 16" x 20" surfaces. The show will be taking place in San Francisco with Harman Projects, please sign up for their mailing list to receive a collector's preview of '16 x 20'.⁠

Exhibition 16 x 20

Opening: Saturday, 4 April 2026, 5 – 7PM⁠ (On view through 25 April 2026)⁠

Venue: Harman Projects 1275 Minnesota St, San Francisco.

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Completed the study of 'Birdcage'. This original drawing is now available at my shop. Visit link for purchasing details.

Birdcage (Study)

Acrylic and Graphite on Watercolor Paper, 6 by 8 inches, 2025

Are you on Instagram? Follow me via @jolenelaiart

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'Lost Tune'

Watercolor on 140lbs Fabriano Artistico Paper

5 by 7 inches

2025

Artwork by Jolene Lai.

Visit link below for purchasing information. https://shop.jolenelaiart.com/

(Update: This drawing has been sold)

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‘Wishing Chair' Oil on wood panel 10 by 10 inches 2025

Artwork by Jolene Lai

Available for purchase via Thinkspace Projects

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‘Nosferatu' Oil on wood panel 12 by 12 inches 2025

Artwork by Jolene Lai

Available for purchase via Thinkspace Projects

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'Maximillian' Watercolor on Paper 5.5 by 5.5 inches 2022

Artwork by Jolene Lai.

Visit link below for purchasing information. https://shop.jolenelaiart.com/

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'Neverwhere' Oil on Canvas 24 by 24 inches 2025

Artwork by Jolene Lai

@jolenelaiart

[jolenelaiart]

Because sometimes the world isn't just birds and bees, and I paint what I see.

'Playboys'

Oil on Canvas

30 by 40"

2019

Visit store link below for available originals.

https://www.jolenelaiart.com/store/

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'Moonlit Avenue', Oil on canvas by Jolene Lai.

Instagram: @jolenelaiart

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The 'Nerdstalgia' group exhibition curated by @kendopaints is finally opening tonight at @thinkspace_art ! Here's my new 11 by 14" oil painting for this show, titled 'Anywhere Door'.

I grew up watching a lot of Doraemon and I'll say it's one of the first few anime that helped weave and shape fantastical narratives in my mind while I was still a kid. Elements like the time traveling machine that brought you back in time (or the future), the anywhere door that was essentially a portal to anywhere, and of course Doraemon the robot cat who was not just a friend but a savior in so many ways to a boy that was just beginning to experience the pain of teenage life.

'Anywhere Door' is my tribute to Doraemon. Thank you for being there when I was just a lonely kid myself as well.

'Nerdstalgia' opens tonight February 10th at 6-10pm at Thinkspace Projects and runs till March 2nd 2024.

Please email Thinkspace Projects at [email protected] for inquiries if you might be interested in collecting this piece.

PS: What were you watching when you were a kid?

[jolenelaiart]

Is there an area in your house where you can be you? A corner that knows you and gives you serenity when your mind is looping in chaos? Is it a friend that stays up long after the world is asleep and sits with you while you sip the seemingly unending cup of coffee? Or a space that welcomes your tired shoulders and quiet sobbing and echoes back without judgements? Do you have an intimate nook that is always a house for your thoughts?

Here's 'Night Kitchen', graphite on paper, 4 x 6 inches (dimensions are of artwork only) and professionally framed.

This drawing is currently on view at Thinkspace Projects for my solo exhibition 'Secret Garden' that will run till October 28 2023. Visit 'Secret Garden' - Thinkspace Projects link below for more information.

Secret Garden (Gallery IV) - Thinkspace Projects

Thinkspace Projects presents: JOLENE LAI ‘Secret Garden’ (Gallery IV) Gallery IV holds Jolene Lai’s ‘Secret Garden’, a collection of oil pai

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'Secret Garden', my new solo exhibition is opening tonight at Thinkspace Projects! Here's a look at the first oil painting also titled 'Secret Garden' that spurred the entire series of this solo.

It took me a while to complete this particular piece because of all that intricate detail around the figure. I first documented the actual background three years ago. It was someone's front entrance to their home which I couldn't really see because of all those trees. I would imagine what their house looked like or who lived in it. I walked by this place too many times and eventually allowed it to creep onto my canvas.

So here's 'Secret Garden', an oil on wood panel that came about from my curiosity and my recapping of fragments from both novels 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Secret Garden'.

If you're in Los Angeles, please check out the exhibition that just officially opened at Thinkspace , snap a picture and tag me if you find this painting 🌿

For folks who won't be able to attend, the online preview of the show is now available at Thinkspace's website or visit link here for easy access.

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Juxtapoz Magazine - Jolene Lai’s "Secret Garden" @ Thinkspace Projects, Los Angeles

A lot going on at Thinkspace this month, with Gallery IV hosting Jolene Lai’s Secret Garden, a collection of oil paintings and drawings that

Thank you Juxtapoz Magazine for featuring my solo exhibition 'Secret Garden' with Thinkspace Projects that's opening tomorrow in Los Angeles!

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 7 from 6-10pm

Thinkspace Projects: 4217 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA,

LANGSTON ALLSTON A Passing Love (Gallery I)

FAJAR AMALI Among Our Existence (Gallery II)

TRNZ The Weight of Things (Gallery III)

JOLENE LAI Secret Garden (Gallery IV)

AL MARCANO Spirit Ditch (Viewing Room)

TENSER Three Halves (The Doghouse Gallery)

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Thinkspace Projects Inspiring Exhibitions: Allston, Amali, TRNZ, Lai, TENSER, Marcano

Join Thinkspace Projects this weekend for the opening of six inspiring exhibitions: Allston, Amali, TRNZ, Lai, TENSER, Marcano!

Thank you @beautifulbizarremagazine for featuring all the exhibitions that will officially be opened this Saturday at Thinkspace Projects! If you're in Los Angeles this weekend, be sure to stop by the gallery to catch all the artwork on display.

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 7 from 6-10pm LANGSTON ALLSTON A Passing Love (Gallery I) FAJAR AMALI Among Our Existence (Gallery II) TRNZ The Weight of Things (Gallery III) JOLENE LAI Secret Garden (Gallery IV) AL MARCANO Spirit Ditch (Viewing Room) TENSER Three Halves (The Doghouse Gallery)

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So I recently did something totally out of my comfort zone.

Michael from Art Affairs Podcast had approached me awhile back about doing a podcast with him and after taking a long while to convince myself that I probably wouldn't freeze or stutter in my speech, I agreed to take on his challenge.

Here's Episode 81, where I share some insights about my upbringing, aspirations and what fuels my imagination, and even my fears and discomforts — yes that side of me that I rarely talk about because sometimes it's easier to store them in the closet.

https://artaffairspodcast.com/episodes/081-jolene-lai

I want to give so much thanks to Michael for this great platform that allowed me to talk about myself which is such an intimidating thing for me to do. And a shout-out to my better half and best friends for their words of encouragement and support.

And if you're about to listen, I hope you have a few laughs and get a little closer to understanding me not just as an artist, but as a person when I am without my brushes.

Thanks everyone!