About Us

Hi there! My name is Jason Brooks, and I’m an art designer currently living and working in Yangshuo, a stunningly scenic town in Guangxi, China. I’m originally from Vancouver, Canada, and I’ve always believed that life should be a beautiful combination of creativity, travel, and meaningful connection with the world around us. That belief is exactly what led me here.

Yangshuo isn’t just a place I live—it’s a place that lives in me. Every morning, I wake up to the mist slowly lifting over the karst mountains, and it feels like I’m inside a traditional Chinese painting. I came here four years ago, initially for a short artistic residency. But something about this town—the air, the light, the people—convinced me to stay much longer than I expected.

My work revolves around sculptural ceramics, woodwork, and mixed-media installations inspired by nature. Yangshuo, with its dramatic limestone cliffs, winding Li River, and sleepy farming villages, provides endless inspiration. I often find myself sketching ideas while cycling through the countryside or sipping tea in a hidden riverside café in Xingping. The textures of the rocks, the curves of the hills, even the way the bamboo boats glide along the water—all of it finds its way into my work.

What’s amazing about living here is how seamlessly travel and creativity blend. My weekends often turn into mini-adventures: hiking the Moon Hill trail before dawn to catch the sunrise, paddleboarding on Yulong River in the quiet hours of the morning, or taking my sketchbook to ancient towns like Fuli, where traditional fans are still handcrafted by local artisans. I also love visiting nearby places like Guilin and Longsheng’s rice terraces. There’s a kind of raw beauty in this region that feels untouched, eternal, yet always new.

As a foreigner living in a relatively small Chinese town, I’ve had the privilege of connecting deeply with both locals and other creatives from around the world. There’s a laid-back energy in Yangshuo that draws in people with open minds and adventurous spirits. I often collaborate with local artists, hold weekend workshops for travelers, and even design functional art pieces for boutique hotels in the area. One of my favorite moments was helping build a riverside sculpture garden entirely out of reclaimed wood and stone—it felt like the landscape itself was participating in the creation.

Living in Yangshuo has also transformed my understanding of what it means to travel. It’s not about ticking off famous landmarks. It’s about immersion, slowness, paying attention. Sometimes the most profound travel moments happen while sharing homemade rice wine with a villager or watching water buffalo wander across a field at sunset. Here, I’ve learned that the most meaningful experiences are often the quiet ones.

I’ve also grown to love the rhythm of life here. Mornings are for long bike rides or tea by the river. Afternoons are studio time—windows open, music playing, hands in clay or paint. Evenings might be spent in a small bar listening to live music, or around a bonfire with friends from all over the world, talking about art, travel, or nothing at all.

Looking ahead, I plan to stay in Yangshuo as long as it continues to inspire me. I’m currently working on a collection that combines natural pigments with local clay, capturing the shifting moods of the landscape across seasons. I also hope to open a small gallery space that serves as both a creative studio and a community hub for fellow artists and curious travelers.

In a world that often feels rushed and noisy, Yangshuo has offered me a place of clarity, balance, and wonder. It’s more than a home—it’s a canvas, a teacher, and a constant source of adventure.

If you ever find yourself in this corner of China, come by my studio. Let’s talk art, drink tea, and maybe plan a spontaneous trip into the mountains. After all, the best journeys are the ones you didn’t plan for.

— Jason Brooks