{"id":2060173,"date":"2026-07-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060173"},"modified":"2026-07-24T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T21:00:00","slug":"felicia-chiaos-domestic-scenes-reflect-the-emotional-structures-of-daily-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2060173","title":{"rendered":"Felicia Chiao\u2019s Domestic Scenes Reflect the Emotional Structures of Daily Life"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-8.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"a drawing by Felicia Chiao of a grid-like structure with small rooms cut away to reveal a figure on a couch, one showering, lots of plants, and various other domestic activities\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cQuiet Days.\u201d All images courtesy of Felicia Chiao, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Felicia Chiao\u2019s Domestic Scenes Reflect the Emotional Structures of Daily Life<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-24T10:52:00-05:00\">July 24, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><a class=\"category-illustration\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/illustration\/\" rel=\"tag\">Illustration<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/gebert\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Grace Ebert<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F07%2Ffelicia-chiao-mixed-media-illustrations%2F&amp;title=Felicia%20Chiao%27s%20Domestic%20Scenes%20Reflect%20the%20Emotional%20Structures%20of%20Daily%20Life\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#bd82cec8dfd7d8dec980fbd8d1d4ded4dc988f8dfed5d4dcd2988f8ace988f8df9d2d0d8cec9d4de988f8deeded8d3d8ce988f8defd8dbd1d8dec9988f8dc9d5d8988f8df8d0d2c9d4d2d3dcd1988f8deec9cfc8dec9c8cfd8ce988f8dd2db988f8df9dcd4d1c4988f8df1d4dbd89bdcd0cd86dfd2d9c480fbd8d1d4ded4dc988f8dfed5d4dcd2988f8ace988f8df9d2d0d8cec9d4de988f8deeded8d3d8ce988f8defd8dbd1d8dec9988f8dc9d5d8988f8df8d0d2c9d4d2d3dcd1988f8deec9cfc8dec9c8cfd8ce988f8dd2db988f8df9dcd4d1c4988f8df1d4dbd8988f8d98f88f98858d988489988f8dd5c9c9cdce988efc988ffb988ffbcacaca93c9d5d4ced4ceded2d1d2cecedcd193ded2d0988ffb8f8d8f8b988ffb8d8a988ffbdbd8d1d4ded4dc90ded5d4dcd290d0d4c5d8d990d0d8d9d4dc90d4d1d1c8cec9cfdcc9d4d2d3ce988ffb\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"476127\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cWhen I was really little, I wanted to be one of those stackable chairs you\u2019d see in like a school auditorium,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/feliciachiao\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Felicia Chiao<\/a> says. \u201cI thought they looked cozy.\u201d This childhood memory is the basis for a playful drawing in which Chiao\u2019s signature characters mound atop one another. Layering reigns in this imagined world as calendars and clocks emerge from the wall in dense piles, while stacks of books and dishes rest on the floor. <\/p>\n<p>Chiao is known for her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/tags\/felicia-chiao\/\">warm illustrations<\/a> that capture emotion and the variances of mental health through surreal, flower-filled scenes. Working in pencil, ink, and watercolor, the artist renders compositions that feel both timeless and indicative of our current age, in which the anxieties and tribulations of life today emerge through curious characters.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476127\" title=\"\u201cStacks\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cStacks\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cStacks\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2688\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-6.jpg\" alt=\"a drawing by Felicia Chiao of figures stacked like chairs under a light\" class=\"wp-image-476132\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cStacks\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Alongside her largely domestic scenes, Chiao has also been adding to her growing collection of Lunar New Year drawings, which feature the animal of the year set against a gilded and crimson backdrop. <\/p>\n<p>Play and constraint also figure prominently into the artist\u2019s approach. \u201cI did a very cool collaboration with Heath Ceramics last year, and while it was a completely different medium than what I am used to, I think it has influenced my drawing process,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019ve been experimenting with more mixed media (watercolor, color pencil, markers, sometimes a little gouache or gel pen).\u201d The mats for frames are similar, as she enjoys the challenge of customizing the otherwise stark white material to complement her works.<\/p>\n<p>This October, Chiao will open a solo show with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harmanprojects.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harman Projects<\/a> and has several exhibitions slated for the coming years. She offers a variety of prints through <a href=\"https:\/\/felicia-chiao-art.myshopify.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">her shop<\/a>, and you can keep up with her latest works and collaborations on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/feliciachiao\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476127\" title=\"\u201cSpring\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cSpring\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cSpring\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2643\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-1.jpg\" alt=\"a drawing by Felicia Chiao of a large smiling flower with a smaller flower growing on top\" class=\"wp-image-476128\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cSpring\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476127\" title=\"\u201cWhite Flowers\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cWhite Flowers\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cWhite Flowers\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-3.jpg\" alt=\"a drawing by Felicia Chiao of a vase of peonies with a small figure peeking out\" class=\"wp-image-476129\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cWhite Flowers\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-4.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476127\" title=\"\u201cYear of the Horse 2026\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cYear of the Horse 2026\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cYear of the Horse 2026\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2671\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-4.jpg\" alt=\"a drawing by Felicia Chiao of a horse for Chinese New Year\" class=\"wp-image-476130\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cYear of the Horse 2026\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-5.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476127\" title=\"\u201cLucky Cat\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cLucky Cat\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cLucky Cat\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2699\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-5.jpg\" alt=\"a drawing by Felicia Chiao of a siamese cat surrounded by flowers and water\" class=\"wp-image-476131\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cLucky Cat\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476127\" title=\"\u201cAnemone Orange\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cAnemone Orange\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cAnemone Orange\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2502\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-7.jpg\" alt=\"a drawing by Felicia Chiao of a figure with flowers growing from its head and a pool of tears\" class=\"wp-image-476133\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cAnemone Orange\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-2.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476127\" title=\"\u201cWarm Florals\u201d\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cWarm Florals\u201d\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cWarm Florals\u201d\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/chiao-2.jpg\" alt=\"a drawing by Felicia Chiao of a figure holding a fish-shaped vase of flowers\" class=\"wp-image-476134\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cWarm Florals\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts 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