Lilly Zhao was born in Beijing, China, into a family of artists. As an only child, she found joy in drawing from an early age and loved sharing her artwork with family and friends. Her father, an art history professor in the School of Art and Design at Beijing Normal University, and her uncle, a renowned oil painter in China, devoted their lives to art and profoundly influenced her creative journey.
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Although Lilly built a successful career as a software engineer, her passion for painting—especially oil painting—never faded. She has loved oil painting since childhood and is inspired by any subject that awakens her appreciation for life. For many years, painting remained a cherished hobby alongside her career. Eight years ago, she chose to dedicate herself fully to art.
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Today, Lilly paints with honesty and freedom, using years of artistic practice to express her emotions and perspective on the world.
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"I hope my paintings invite you to pause for a moment, appreciate the beauty around us, and remember how fortunate we are simply to be alive. Wish you were here."