Cookie Essie: Garden Bliss

Cookie Essie- Garden Bliss, Acrylic on German Paper 300 gsm, 2021

Shangshang Wang aka Cookie Essie is an Auckland-based artist and painter that has a thing for retro villas, nana style slow life, and off-the-grid quirkiness. Here are a few questions we asked her to share more about Shangshang and the work.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in central China in Zhengzhou City (close to Shaolin Temple where all the kongfu movies are made haha). Had a wonderful childhood living in an apartment block playing with kids around the neighbourhood. Looking back it was a slightly strict household, being an only child there is a lot of emphasis on academic achievement rather than sports etc. – but painters gotta paint right! ;) I later moved to NZ to attend high school down in Southland and loved our art room so much. I was in shock that we had a dedicated art room where you could leave your gear and tools, and even take paints home. The tiny little art library was amazing too, probably got told off photocopying too many books haha. Cheers Southland Girls High School for introducing me to paints!

What inspired this artwork?

This little piece was inspired by my slight obsession with vintage retro villas and old fashioned nana style gardens. Simple slow living, as I get older I started to appreciate getting up early doing a small meditation and taking my time to eat a proper breakfast and brewing some tea, before everyone else gets up and rush to the bus stop with fellow human beans haha. I also play a lot of alternative living channels on the background while I was drawing, fascinated by off-grid living/tiny house movement, and just quirky individuals who carved out an unique way of living that’s is right for them. Cottage Fairy for example was one of the accounts my daughter likes, though she’s only six she loves cooking with her grandma, so my painting was inspired by blissful everyday moments, nothing grand. 

What’s your next step?

My next step, hummmm, I would love to move towards fine art, while continuing drawing on smaller pieces like these where I considered my style is more folk/kids art and perhaps more handmade. I also work part time in retail which has me one foot in the door of all the hustle and bustle. I also create small meaningful commissions for wonderful private clients. Ultimately I would love to create larger scale pieces that will be pleasing to me and that resonate, as well as being financially rewarding that I have a sustainable and prosper creative lifestyle. Until then I am happy honing my skills and visions. My next step is just to follow my inspiration, to create works that express my admiration for this world, like what Joseph Campbell once said: “follow your bliss,” which I will add and know it will lead to something great. Thank you so much I enjoyed the questions so much. Love it love it love it haha.

We are loving your blissful answers and energy! Thank you Cookie!