The Vibrant, Unexpected Journey of Chunbei Schenone

Presented by the Iredell Arts Council

In China, pursuing a life in the arts is often seen not as a dream, but as a detour—a path most parents hope their children avoid. For Chunbei Schenone, growing up in that environment meant never daring to imagine herself as an artist.

After graduating college, she began a stable and respected career at Citibank in China—a job that eased her transition to the United States in 1989. Here, she worked full-time while earning her MBA in the evenings. "Art was never a part of the plan," she says. "I never thought I had the talent."

That changed unexpectedly in the summer of 2014. Chunbei’s then 11-year-old daughter was spending long days glued to her phone during school break. In an effort to share something creative, Chunbei suggested they paint ceramic tiles together as a fun "Mommy & Me" activity. 

"I posted a few of our painted tiles on Facebook, and people immediately wanted to buy them. I was shocked—but more importantly, I realized how deeply I loved painting," she says.

That unexpected spark reignited something buried in her family history. Chunbei’s grandfather had been a high-ranking officer with the Nationalists during the Chinese Civil War. When the Communists won in 1949, he was imprisoned for 30 years. “Painting was his only savior,” she shares. “I didn’t realize until later that his passion may have lived on in me.”

Since that summer, Chunbei has poured her heart into art. She finds inspiration in both the countryside and cities she has lived in across two countries. Her background in landscaping also deeply informs her work. “I’m crazy for flowers and trees,” she laughs. “I have a tremendous passion for old structures and nature, things that are so closely tied to generations of human experience.”

Her paintings are bold and textured, often featuring layers of color that don't hide one another but instead build up and amplify the work's emotional depth. “To me, the color on top is not there to cover what’s underneath,” she explains. “They complement and enhance one another. It’s a metaphor for life.”

Chunbei paints both still life and abstract works. She loves the open interpretation of abstraction—the way a viewer’s perspective changes with the time of day, their mood, or the light in the room. “Even I see my own work differently depending on how I feel,” she says. “It’s powerful and mysterious.”

But perhaps most powerful is the freedom she’s found as an artist in the U.S. “Here, people value and respect artists. There’s far less judgment about someone’s profession. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of this community.”

Though she didn’t begin painting until age 49, Chunbei now has an ever-growing circle of collectors and admirers who find her story deeply inspiring. Still, she insists: “I never set out to inspire anyone. Each painting is simply a love story from my life—a longing I have.”

Chunbei is quick to credit the Iredell Arts Council for helping artists like her find a voice. “I’ve never seen an organization do so much to support local artists and musicians,” she says. “I’m proud to be one of its members. And if they ever need help with landscaping, I’ll gladly donate plants and my services!”

Her advice to emerging artists?
“Truthfully create art from your heart—not for what people like or love—because only from the heart, it creates reverberations on the others.”

Join us on Wednesday, June 4th at 5:30 PM for the opening reception of Chunbei Schenone’s solo exhibition at the Iredell Arts Council. Come meet the artist, hear her story, and experience the vibrant, heartfelt world she brings to life through her paintings.