From Shanghai to Starkville: Dorrie Wu’s Artistic Journey
Imagine picking up your whole life and moving from a bustling city like Shanghai to a small town in the United States. That’s precisely what Dorrie Wu did nine years ago when her family made the big move to Starkville, Mississippi, to care for her aging grandmother. For the now 17-year-old artist, this transition was not without its challenges.
Facing the Storm: Bullying and Mental Health
When Dorrie first arrived in Starkville, she faced severe bullying, which took a toll on her mental health. Looking back, she remembers those first few years as incredibly tough. “Because I was actually from China, I think the cultural difference was off-putting to a lot of kids,” Wu shares. She struggled with feelings of isolation and anxiety, going through mental health issues that made her time in public schools difficult.
However, things took a turn for the better when Dorrie’s mother decided to homeschool her after three years. This change gave Dorrie the breathing room she needed to explore her passion for art. “I can’t say it was easy, but it was a turning point. I started drawing, and it gave me a sense of control when everything else felt uncontrollable,” she explains.
The Magic of Art
Art became Dorrie’s saving grace. She started with pencils, sketching characters from her favorite anime shows. As she began to work through her mental health challenges with therapy, her artistic exploration expanded. About three years ago, she picked up a watercolor palette for the first time, and she found her true medium.
“I wet the paper and I put the paint on it, and it just goes,” Dorrie says, gleefully recalling her process. The fluid nature of watercolor taught her the beauty of letting go of control—something that significantly impacted her well-being. “I get to practice that daily, and it’s like a meditation to me.” As her mental health improved, so did the tone of her artwork. If a piece felt dark or heavy, she wouldn’t hesitate to toss it aside. “If I see that it’s really dark and not joyful, I throw it away,” she adds with a sense of empowerment.
A Leap into the Art World
Dorrie’s burgeoning art skills soon caught the attention of the local art community. After only a few months of painting, she displayed one of her pieces at a student gallery organized by the Starkville Area Arts Council. While visiting their office, she discovered a flyer for the Midnight Bizarre, a quarterly artist market organized by Mississippi State University students. Although she initially wanted to play music, she quickly pivoted and applied for a booth to showcase her artwork.
With just a week to prepare, Dorrie painted an impressive 50 pieces to display at her first market. She admits feeling shy at the event, to the point where some people thought her mom was the artist. But that initial awkwardness didn’t last long. Over time, she gained confidence and began sharing her artwork at various venues, including the Cotton District Arts Festival and her very own online Etsy shop.
A Bright Future Ahead
Earlier this year, Dorrie even took a step further by teaching a beginner watercolor workshop at the Starkville Area Arts Council. This experience ignited her passion for teaching others about art, particularly children who are homeschooled just like she was. “I hope to keep teaching and inspire others to find joy in creating,” she says with bright eyes.
The Interim Executive Director of SAAC, Juliette Reid, has been a strong supporter of Dorrie’s art journey. “I really appreciate everything that she’s trying to do in the community, especially as a young person getting involved. She’s shown her peers that you can be in high school and still make money with your talent,” Reid states.
Conclusion: A Story of Resilience
Dorrie Wu’s story isn’t just about art; it’s about resilience and finding light amid darkness. As she prepares to graduate high school in just a few months, the future looks bright for this talented young artist. Through her journey, she hopes to inspire others to embrace their passions and find the beauty in life’s imperfections.
