My name is Wai Ching Schroeder. I grew up in a large family originally from Hong Kong. Due to family circumstances, I was driven to become financially independent at the age of eleven, even while still living under the same roof with my biological family.
At twelve, in the year 2000, I participated in the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration, an experience that sparked my journey toward pursuing my dreams. It was my first step toward America.
When I turned seventeen, I left home with nothing but empty suitcases and arrived in the United States in December 2005—a miracle in itself. My religious teacher took me under her wing and sent me straight to college. With her generous support of $200 a month, and while working two jobs and earning scholarships, I completed my nursing degree. I graduated with high honors from Polk Community College and the University of South Florida by 2010.
Years later, my teacher told me, “It was God who told me to send you to America. I must.”
Since 2009, I’ve been a registered nurse, specializing in emergency care. My passion for life and adventure has taken me across the globe. I’ve worked as a medical officer on cruise ships, witnessing firsthand the complexities—and the absence—of law in international waters.
Living in a foreign country, saving lives, speaking multiple languages, and connecting deeply with people from different cultures have all given me a rare and expansive view of the world.
In late 2016, I began screenwriting, and a few months later, in April 2017, I started painting on canvas. My creative drive was born out of loneliness—a desire to fill my own emptiness with meaning and purpose. Creating art reminds me to keep dreaming.
My first art buyer gifted me an envelope titled “Free Spirit” when he purchased my painting “Arrows Thru Heart.”
What does it mean to be free? To me, it means not being afraid. That’s why I create—because creation itself is my pursuit of freedom.
That is the dream. And my truest passion lies in film, where all artistic forms converge. Through it, I hope to build the kind of culture I envision—one filled with love, imagination, and creativity. •
Artist Statement
“Surrealism, itself, is an insecure expression without explanation.
The Art of Surrealism, itself, is held independent from the Artist, myself.”Then and there, I could have an actual conversation with a stranger (art of my surrealism) who knows me very well. It’s like confessing unconsciousness into consciousness.
Then, the Art of Surrealism becomes Secured with the Artist.
There is No Confusion nor
Lost Mind in the Artist upon The Power given by the Art.
Yet, Dali is Right that confusion is what gives life. However, the issues of confusion are settled upon destruction of consciousness that ignores the unconsciousness and its connection to reality.
And once that’s realized, confusion is lost.
“Security is Built through Art and Power is given to the Artist, Myself.”Consciousness of Insecurities then becomes Powerless.
That is what I Consider Surrealism is to be about.
My Favorite Philosophy of my distinctive style is:
“Negative space, to me, is the room for imagination.”
“Paint takes me to whatever; even if I am there, no longer.” I call it my “Can Go” Genes.
“The Moment in Art is sincere. Beauty never withers in my paint.”
“Without Love, there won’t be any music, poems, and paintings – Art
“Without Agony, there won’t be any feelings, emotions, and understanding.”
“Living Love Agony is Living Art.”
Wai Ching Schroeder
