A Bit About Me
Lei Chi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. A realist artist, her work seeks to celebrate and communicate the human spirit through refined visual aesthetics.
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Since 2012, Lei has taught a wide range of college-level courses, including drawing, studio art, art history, and art appreciation. Her dedication to both the practice and teaching of art reflects her deep commitment to the discipline.
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Lei’s artwork has been recognized by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. Her fine art has been featured in numerous national and international juried exhibitions, earning multiple awards. Her paintings have been published in The Best of Contemporary Watercolor: Splash 16, 17, 20, and 21 by North Light Books, as well as in Artists and Watercolor Artist magazines.
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She is a signature member of both the National Watercolor Society and the California Watercolor Association. In 2023, Lei was honored with artist membership in the prestigious California Art Club.
Resume
Education
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Master of Fine Arts in Illustration, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California, 2009
Bachelor of Arts in Art with an option in Fine Art, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California, 2007
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Selected Exhibitions, Awards and Publications
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San Diego Watercolor Society 45th International Exhibition, San Diego, California, September 2025
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Triton Museum of Art 2D Art Competition & Exhibition: Salon at the Triton 2025, Santa Clara, California, May 17 – August 17, 2025, Honorable Mention Award
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National Watercolor Society 2025 Juried Member Exhibition, Online Virtual Exhibition, May 1 – June 30, 2025
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Painting Olive was selected to feature on the NationalWatercolorSociety.org website, March 2024
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California Watercolor Association 54th National Exhibition, January 10 – March 9, 2024​​
Artistic Journey, Armadillo Art, Mijello Co.Ltd, University Art Supplies, de Young Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Award
California Art Club 112th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Virtual Addition, CAC Virtual Gallery, July 22 – September 10, 2023
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National Watercolor Society 2023 Juried Member Exhibition, San Pedro, California, May 4 – June 30, 2023
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Watercolor Artist Magazine, Spring 2023, Article: “Happenings – Watercolor World”
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Northwest Watercolor Society 2022 82nd Annual International Open Exhibition, Bellevue, Washington, October 28, 2022 - January 6, 2023, Third Place Award for Olive
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California Watercolor Association Juried Members Show – Artistic Vision, San Ramon City Hall Gallery, San Ramon, California, September 1 – October 31, 2022
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California Watercolor Association Juried Members Show – Beautiful Wellness, John Muir Health, Auxiliary Gallery at Aspen Center, Walnut Creek, California, August 21 – October 14, 2022
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Triton Museum of Art Statewide 2D Art Competition & Exhibition: Salon at the Triton 2022, Santa Clara, California, August 2022 – Curator’s Choice Award
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California Watercolor Association 52nd National Exhibition, Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, California, January 2022
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California Watercolor Association 51st National Exhibition, Pleasanton, California, January 2021
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California Watercolor Association 50th National Exhibition, Harrington Gallery, Pleasanton, California, January 2020
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National Watercolor Society 2019 International Open Exhibition, San Pedro, California, October 2019 – Jeanette Thayer Schmidt Memorial Cash Award, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff and American Frame Corporation Merchandise Awards
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Splash 21: The Best of Watercolor/Capturing Mood/North Light Books, 2019
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National Watercolor Society 99th Annual Members Exhibition, San Pedro, California, April 2019
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San Diego Watercolor Society 38th International Exhibition, San Diego, California, September 2018
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Splash 20: The Best of Watercolor/Creative Compositions/North Light Books, Blue Ash, Ohio, 2018
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Art Journey Animals: A Collection of Inspiring Contemporary Masterworks/North Light Books, Blue Ash, Ohio, 2017
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Runners-up, Splash 18: The Best of Watercolor/Value – Celebrating Light and Dark/North Light Books, Blue Ash, Ohio, 2016
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Splash 17: The Best of Watercolor/Inspiring Subjects/North Light Books, Blue Ash, Ohio, 2015
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Mijello Mission Gold and Martin Weber Art Company $4,000 Merchandise Award, National Watercolor Society 94th Annual International Exhibition, San Pedro, California, November 2014
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Finalist, The Artist’s Magazine 31st Annual Art Competition, Portraits/Figures category, December 2014
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Splash 16: The Best of Watercolor/Exploring Texture/North Light Books, Blue Ash, Ohio, 2014
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31st Annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, Old Forge, New York, May 2012
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National Watercolor Society 2011 All Member Juried Exhibition, NWS Gallery, San Pedro, California, April 2011
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Watercolor Missouri National 2011 Annual Open Juried Exhibition, National Winston Churchill Museum & Library, Fulton, Missouri, February 2011
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Certificate of Merit, 49th Illustration West Competition and Annual Exhibition, Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, Gallery Nucleus, Alhambra, California, January 2011
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First Annual Golden Gate Illustrator’s Portfolio Award Honorable Mention, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Asilomar, California, February 2010
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Academy of Art University Salon Show, 79 New Montgomery Gallery, San Francisco, California, May 2009
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2D/3D Exhibition, Juried Group Show, Kellogg University Art Gallery, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California, May 2007
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Mentors at Metro Exhibition, Invitational Group Show, Metro Gallery, Pasadena, California, February 2007
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2D/3D Exhibition, Juried Group Show, Kellogg University Art Gallery, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California, May 2006
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Academic/Teaching Experience
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Senior Associate Faculty in Studio Art and Art History, Evergreen Valley College, San Jose, California, January 2012 – Present
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Associate Faculty, Department of Visual Arts and Design, De Anza College, Cupertino, California, September 2023 - Present
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Lecturer, Pictorial Art, Department of Art and Art History, San Jose State University, 2022
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Watercolor Workshop, Staff Appreciation Event of the Administration Department, San Jose State University, 2022
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Faculty in Studio Art, Chabot College, Hayward, California, 2022
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Faculty in Studio Art, Las Positas College, Livermore, California, September 2021
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Faculty in Drawing, Mission College, Santa Clara, California, Spring 2018
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Professional Training and Certificate
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Certified College Online Instructor by the California Community Colleges, since 2020
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Professional Affiliation and Membership
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Awarded the Signature Membership status by the National Watercolor Society, San Pedro, California, in 2014
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Received the Signature Membership status at the California Watercolor Association, Walnut Creek, California, in 2021
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Selected as an Artist Member of the California Art Club, Pasadena, California, January 2023