Can an AI engineer master the soul of traditional painting?

In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Eric Luke, a realism artist with a surprising background: he’s a computer scientist who spent 20 years coding AI to recognize faces before the technology was mainstream.

From training algorithms to mastering the brushstrokes of Baroque and Impressionist masters, Eric approaches art as the ultimate problem-solving exercise. We dive deep into his unique philosophy—treating a blank canvas like an engineering problem where you must "break it down piece by piece." Eric opens up about the counter-intuitive discipline of knowing what not to paint, explaining why "the more detail you paint, the worse is the painting."

We also discuss the psychology of handwriting and brushwork, the unique advantages Hong Kong offers for "Art Tech," and his fascinating proposal to turn the entire city into a "treasure hunt" museum.

If you are a creative balancing a "practical" career with your passion, or an artist wrestling with the existential threat of AI, Eric’s logical yet deeply human perspective on why the "process" matters more than the "product" is essential listening.

🎧 IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

• The Engineer Artist: How Eric’s background in computer science and AI shapes his realism art.
• Art as Problem Solving: Finding happiness in breaking complex images down piece by piece.
• The Detail Trap: Why painting too much detail ruins the expressiveness of a piece.
• Impressionist History: How a group of French artists turned a critic's insult into a global movement.
• Psychology of Style: Throwing the "responsibility" of understanding an image back to the viewer.
• Hong Kong’s Edge: Why HK is the perfect lab for Art Tech and the need for a secondary-school art academy.
• AI vs. Humanity: Why generative AI can never replace the joy of the human artistic process.

Start listening to engineer your own creativity.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro: Why we are having this conversation

02:53 - Who is Eric Lu? (Computer Scientist & Realism Artist)

04:04 - Training AI to see faces vs. Painting faces

07:22 - Finding happiness in "Problem Solving"

13:25 - The Paradox of Detail: Why "Less is More"

18:29 - Can anyone learn to paint like a Master?

21:31 - The Story of Impressionism: Turning insults into identity

27:10 - Reviewing Eric's 25-year-old Master Copy

32:29 - The Psychology of Handwriting & Brushstrokes

38:04 - Learning "Cute" Art (Chikawa) from Students

42:13 - Why Hong Kong is the future hub of Art Tech

44:03 - The Education Gap: Missing art academies in HK

49:15 - A Vision for HK: The "City Museum" Treasure Hunt

52:45 - The Elephant in the Room: Art in the age of AI

QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:

"The more detail you paint, the worse is the painting, actually... You lose the spirit and expressiveness." - Eric Luke

"If you ever try to solve some problem in your life... when you break it down piece by piece and you finish that piece by piece, it is the source of the happiness." - Eric Luke

"It is all about the process. It is not about the product... AI cannot take it away from you." - Eric Luke

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Eric Luke is a Hong Kong-based realism artist and educator who bridges the gap between technology and tradition. Originally trained as a computer scientist working in early facial recognition AI, Eric applies an analytical, problem-solving mindset to Western traditional art. He specializes in figurative painting and anatomy, blending the techniques of Baroque masters with the philosophy of Impressionism.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.

CONNECT WITH US:

Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene! 📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

Is comfort the enemy of creativity?

In this episode of Making It, we sit down with Yuho Chang, a former jewelry designer turned abstract painter who describes herself as a "free bird" and a "bold, fearless soul."

From finding traditional landscape painting "boring" to obsessively learning abstract techniques via Google and YouTube, Yuho shares her reinvention story with infectious energy. We dive deep into her creative pivot—moving from fine jewelry to large-scale ink and acrylics—and her philosophy that "once you are in comfort, you are in a problem." Yuho opens up about the vulnerability of facing critics who claim "a kindergartner could do that," and shares the practical hustle required to knock on gallery doors in Hong Kong.

If you are a creative looking to pivot your career, or an artist struggling with the fear of rejection, Yuho’s advice on why you need to "dive 100% in" is exactly what you need to hear.

🎧 IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

The Pivot: Why Yuho left jewelry design and found traditional painting "boring."

Self-Taught Hustle: How curiosity, Google, and painting day and night launched her new career.

The Critique: Dealing with the "my kid could paint that" comments and turning hurt into growth.

City Energy: How the hustle of Hong Kong, Tokyo, and New York inspires her "Cityscape" series.

The "5 Nos" Rule: A practical mindset for handling rejection from galleries (and why you should keep knocking).

Breaking Barriers: Challenging ageism in art "open calls" and advocating for local Hong Kong talent.

Start listening to challenge your own comfort zone.

CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro: Why we are having this conversation

02:33 - Who is Yuho Chang? (Abstract Painter & Free Bird)

04:15 - "It was boring": Why she rejected traditional painting

06:19 - Being "Bold and Fearless" with color

12:18 - Cityscapes: Finding inspiration in the hustle (and capsule hotels)

14:40 - The "Little People": What brings a city to life

21:02 - The Philosophy: "Once you are in comfort, you are in problem"

23:40 - The Obsession: Painting day and night

26:05 - Advice to her 16-Year-Old Self: "You talk too much"

30:50 - The "Kindergarten" Critique: Handling bad reviews

36:40 - Sales Advice: Go out and get 5 "Nos"

40:50 - Does Hong Kong support local artists enough?

43:05 - Fighting Ageism: Why art has no expiration date

QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:

"Once you're in comfort, you are in problem... I always want to challenge myself and to be better." - Yuho Chang

"I am a free bird... expressing myself on the canvas. That's who I am—bold and freely free soul." - Yuho Chang

"Believe in yourself that if I can do it, you can do it. And it's just simple as one, two, three." - Yuho Chang

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Yuho Chang is a Hong Kong-based abstract artist and former creative jewelry designer. Known for her bold use of ink and acrylics, she describes herself as a "free bird" who transitioned from traditional influences to fearless abstraction. She combines the hustle of a city girl with an unshakeable belief in self-expression and the power of diving 100% into your passion.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.

CONNECT WITH US:

Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene! 📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee

Does the "starving artist" myth define the Hong Kong art scene, or is it time to change the narrative?

In this episode of Making It, we sit down with YC, a self-described "simple, fun woman" and one of the most uninhibited voices in the Hong Kong art scene.

From being placed in art classes as "daycare" at age six to navigating the realities of high rent and ageism in local galleries, YC shares her journey with refreshing honesty. We dive deep into her unique creative process—transforming photos of tree bark into abstract villages—and her philosophy that art should be a "love letter to yourself." YC challenges us to take off the "masks" (and the black clothes) that so many Hong Konger's wear and simply embrace the fun of being alive.

If you are an artist tired of the "starving" label, or someone looking to break free from societal expectations, this conversation is for you.

🎧 IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

• The Origin Story: How a childhood "daycare" art class turned into a lifelong calling.
• Visual Alchemy: YC's unique method of finding hidden worlds in tree bark and wood grain.
• The HK Reality: The truth about high rent, ageism in galleries, and the "starving artist" stigma.
• East Meets West: How her American-Italian aunt and travels in China shaped her fusion style.
• The Vision: Why Hong Kong needs a "Wine & Dine Festival"—but for local artists.
• Life Philosophy: Why YC believes "the more I meet people, the more I love my dog."

Start listening to reframe your own creative journey.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro: Why we are having this conversation

01:36 - Who is YC? (The "Fun Woman" of HK Art)

02:40 - Started at 6: Art class as "daycare"

06:00 - The Process: Talking to the canvas & tree bark inspiration

11:08 - East Meets West: The influence of Aunt Maria

16:58 - Why abstract art is harder than it looks

20:00 - "Life is Short": Why YC refuses to wear black

21:58 - What's Next: Getting messy with pottery

25:40 - The #1 Challenge: High rent & "Starving Artists"

30:30 - The truth about Ageism in Hong Kong galleries

36:53 - The Vision: A "Street Fair" for Local Artists

40:48 - Final Message: Take off the mask & be yourself

QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:

"The more I meet people, the more I love my dog... Why you have to put a mask on? Just be yourself." - YC

"I know I will be an artist... but I end up becoming an artist, a starving artist. I don't know whether my mom is proud of me or not, but I'm an artist now." - YC

"Life is short... Today I can be a lady. Tomorrow I can be boyish or sporty. Why not? Life should be fun." - YC

ABOUT THE GUEST:

YC is a Hong Kong-based artist known for her "East meets West" style and her unique ability to find patterns and stories in natural textures like tree bark. Describing herself as a "fun, funny woman," she creates art as a form of personal diary, refusing to be restricted by a single style or societal expectation.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Alex See is on a mission to make Hong Kong a place where artists and creatives can thrive. Through Making It, Alex interviews the minds shaping the culture to uncover what it takes to succeed in the creative industries.

CONNECT WITH US:

Subscribe for more conversations on creativity and the Hong Kong art scene!

📸 Instagram: @makingitwithalexsee