By Jeremy O'Donnell Translated by Mallory Chen

      In literature, struggling artists often live in dire circumstances, and sometimes come to tragic ends. But not always.

      Taichung artist Xiao J is finding that hard work and perseverance pay off. At her exhibition at Dakeng Scenic Area, her book signing in Taichung Cultural Center, and with the launch of Yellow Witch Graphic Design Co., she has been able to introduce her work to friends old and new.

      Xiao J, 28, started her career when she was 17, and she's had her share of lean times. "It wasn't easy," she explains. "I can remember my cat eating canned fish while I only had NT$7 for my week's food. I couldn't even buy noodles. I would just buy dry crackers. If I got a commission, the cat would eat first."

      Xiao J started by making posters for a supermarket. "The manager gave me a huge marker pen to test my skills. I'd never used one before and thought I would fail. He encouraged me and I tried my best and worked out how to do it. Then I became an art teacher's assistant in Puli. My students were older than me, or were teachers. I would shake after I got off the podium."

      Her father's insistence that she must practice calligraphy every day established the discipline and technique necessary for a career as an artist.

      She seems to paint effortlessly. The long hours of practice that have developed her brush skills are evident. After high school she did graphic design work. Her first break was when her drawings were seen by an editor at the Taiwan Daily newspaper. She soon had a weekly section in the paper and learnt the skills necessary to become a professional illustrator.

      With experience and a growing portfolio, doors began to open. Xiao J became an illustrator, graphic designer, and teacher of drawing and poster design at Taichung's YMCA.

      Describing Xiao J's style is like describing a chameleon's color. "My style is 'no style.' I use different ways to create my works and I'm constantly experimenting with new techniques. Every time I illustrate, my style changes, depending on the "feel" of the subject. It's play, not work. Like method acting. I become a character, so as to know what to paint. I get an image in my mind and my hand draws it."

      The media she employs are as diverse as her styles and topics. Her work appears in watercolors, acrylics, pencil, crayon, chalk or computer graphics. Her recent illustrations completely diverge from her previous work.

      "Lately I've illustrated nearly 20 freign works [of literature].This suits me as I like to read and my "no style" is not a Chinese style. It's pushing me to a new level. I have to suit the medium to the message."

      At her book signing, people were buying novels by such literary giants as Goethe, Gibran, Kafka, Orwell and Shakespeare, yet seemed to be buying them not so much for the words but were looking at Xiao J's illustrations to select their purchases. Is it easy being an artist in Taichung? "I was worried about surviving in Taichung as most opportunities were in Taipei, but the Internet has changed that. Now I can carry a notebook computer and my paints to anywhere to work. I'm getting more commissions from local government, businesses and publishing companies."

      The future? "'Well, more book signings, a touring exhibition, some children's books, theatrical design. I've finished some characters for TV animation. I want to meet people who enjoy my art, get it off gallery walls, out of books and into peoples' lives. Art's not in a bubble, it belongs in everything people do."

      For more information, see http://www.ywitch010j.com