The endless wonders of the natural world inspire my artwork, for after one realizes there is magic in every cell of every living organism, one cannot look away. To me, not only are the lifeforms magic, but so too are the interconnections linking everything together. It’s tempting to describe this intricate balance of millions of organisms as supernatural, but in fact, it is plainly the definition of natural.
My process starts with a lot of observation of color, form, patterns and idiosyncratic qualities that at once make something unique, but also reference something else. These connections, big and small, are reminders that we are all related as living beings on this planet and act as dots for me to connect. Often times these connections lead to creating what I like to call “Flauna” creatures, a mix of flora and fauna, though at time minerals, the elements and fungi are also combined.
Mother Mycelium, oil on wood, 24 x 20" (60 x 50 cm) Mother Mycelium was inspired by the wonders of fungi and the hidden role it plays in all life on this planet. The painting is part of a recent series where I explored the idea of the divine in nature. Many Indigenous cultures see the natural world as representations or aspects of god(s). I feel that if we can see God in nature again, we will find our way back respecting and protecting it (as I believe our species evolved to do) rather than use it as a disposable resource. Mother Mycelium is one of the divine creatures I created in my search for the divine. 
Inoculate, oil on wood, 18 x 14" (45 x 35 cm) When I was making Inoculate, two pandemics were happening simultaneously. One was the viral pandemic of COVID-19 that took over the world. The other was the pandemic of police brutality that was being challenged and protested against all over the world. At the same time, the presidential politics and the partisanship that comes with it in the US was at a fever pitch. All of this informed Inoculate, a piece about ideas spreading and the conflicts that come with it, internally and externally. These new creatures play roles of allegory and metaphor in my work, warning of dangers ahead, reminding us of lessons forgotten or purely to show that magic is real. My technique is a self-formulated one built upon years of trial and error. My process tends to be informed by what I’m painting. Often, I paint in thin layers of oil, refining and getting more detailed in each layer, while other times I paint alla prima, putting down mostly all the details with just a few to add once dry. —
Homestead, oil on wood, 20 x 16" (50 x 40 cm) Homestead exists in a time after humans are gone, where the natural world has been completely altered by human activities. Entire ecosystems will no longer exist with many animal and plant species disappearing with it. In this void, the creatures that survived must find new ways of adapting, forming new symbioses with others and establishing a new balance, as nature always does. Homestead is a glimpse into one of those stories of adaptation and resilience in a world drastically changed. 
Vital, oil on wood, 16 x 12" (40 x 30 cm) Vital was inspired by the essential, front line healthcare workers that saved so many lives during the early days of the pandemic. In those early months, it felt like we were all in this together to keep each other safe. I was inspired by the support shown to our healthcare workers who carried, and still do, such a disproportionately large load, keeping our society healthy and safe. This piece is in gratitude to them. 
Jon ChingAbout the Artist
Jon ChingAbout the Artist
Jon Ching grew up steeped in natural beauty on the island of O’ahu, Hawai’i, which formed the foundation of his deep fascination with the natural and wild world. His island upbringing instilled in him indigenous lessons of appreciation and respect for nature, which deeply influence and drive his current work. Ching’s devoted art practice and detailed realism is inspired by the interconnectedness of nature. His work is a surreal imagining of what limitless wonders and combinations nature can produce. New creatures and symbioses emerge in his meticulously rendered oil paintings, exemplifying the endless potential of life on Earth. Ching’s ultimate hope is to inspire love and admiration for the universally unique beauty and intrigue of our planet. He regularly works to bring awareness to endangered species, the current mass extinction crisis and climate change and continues to partner with environmental organizations in fundraising and educational efforts. He lives and works full time on art in Los Angeles, California.
Contact at
www.jonchingart.com