Cathy Xu - “Painting the Feeling of Light”

Cathy Xu is a watercolor artist based in San Francisco. She uses painting to convey her joy to be fully alive taking in the essence and atmosphere of her surroundings. Her eye is captivated by the beauty of light, shadow, and shape. She paints landscapes, city life, and people. Anything can be a subject if the light is right.

Cathy’s preferred painting medium is watercolor. She seeks for her paintings to contain major passages that showcase the essence of the element water. Water has an irrepressible freedom in its movement, an eternal quest to find depth, and a power to unify all forms. She is captivated by the unlimited possibilities that water, gravity, and pigment present. Cathy’s dynamic style is a juxtaposition of fluid washes and intricate detail.

My Story

I have been an artist since I can remember. I was born with a love for drawing, a wonder for the natural world, and an eye for magic. My early memories involve sketching in the woods, building fairy houses out of twigs, and drawing pictures for my close friends. Later on in life, however, I took a non-linear path towards artistic development.

After my studies in Business Administration and History at UC Berkeley, I traveled extensively for over a decade. I worked in management consulting, technology startups, and international non-profits. I am grateful for the friendships, experiences and perspectives gained throughout my business career. All the while, however, I kept hearing my heart’s desire to make art. I found a creative outlet by working nights and weekends as a freelance illustrator for private and corporate events.

In 2020, I discovered the thrill of watercolor painting. Watching pigment dissolve in water was pure magic. But controlling the outcome was far from easy. Like many others, I was seduced by how a medium so effortless could also be so unforgiving. I immersed myself in learning watercolor, starting with the most fundamental compositional, drawing and painting skills, which I reinforced with daily practice and analysis. Somewhere along the way, the desire to be seen grew stronger than the fear of change. I embarked on my art career and began exhibiting my paintings in 2025.

Curriculum Vitae

Awards

2025 Capitola Plein Air, 3rd Place
2025 Capitola Plein Air, Artist’s Choice
2025 Frank Bette Paintout, Alameda Award of Merit
2025 Frank Bette Paintout, People’s Choice
2025 Lost Sierra Plein Air Festival, 2nd Place
2025 Lost Sierra Plein Air Festival, People’s Choice
2024 Mendocino Open Paint Out, Best Collection
2024 Mendocino Open Paint Out, Artist Showcase
2024 Mendocino Open Paint Out, Quick Draw 1st Place

Exhibitions & Events

“Saltwater” Solo Exhibition, Mendocino Art Center, May-June 2025 Experience
2025 Mendocino Open Paint Out, Judge & Featured Artist
2009 - Present, Live Event Portrait Illustration

Education

B.S., Business Administration, University of California Berkeley
B.A., History, University of California Berkeley

Affiliations

ArtSpan San Francisco, Artist Member

Inquiries

For inquiries on purchasing art, please visit my online Shop .
For all other inquiries, please reach out via email.