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Teresa Dong was born in
Shanghai into an artistic family. Her father was a recognized artist and was the
guiding light in her life, the influence in her love and ability in Chinese
painting and calligraphy. During Teresa’s early life, the cultural revolution
enveloped the country, closing all formal academia. It was during this period
that she studied under one of china’s foremost masters, Cheng Zhong-Zhou.
In 1980 when the US Consul
General was impressed with one of Teresa’s paintings, he without hesitation
granted her a visa to study western painting in the USA.
In order to achieve
financial independence Teresa established the clothing company CHI Group USA.
She developed washable silk and her first collection of women’s sports wear
was presented under the label USAGI. Her design received great response. By 1990
USAGI sold to over one thousand boutiques nationwide in addition to major stores
such as Macy’s, Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor. Success in business for
Teresa was rewarding though not satisfying and in 1996 she retired to return to
her true vocation of painting.
Teresa studied at the
University of Hong Kong and the Academy of Art College of San Francisco as well
as attending workshops given by renowned artists including Craig Nelson, Van
Waldrom and Jove Wang. After coming full circle, Teresa finally has fulfilled
her childhood dream of becoming an artist.
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