Heartwarming paintings win netizens' favor

To document this experience, the artist created a painting, titled Zhongguo Haolinju, or Good Neighbors in China, marking the first new addition to her project this year. Chien has gone on to create more than 40 paintings for her pandemic journal series so far this year.

Other scenes depicted in her latest works include volunteers using a water sprinkler as an improvised tool for disinfection, delivery men having a quick lunch and her neighbors welcoming a 70-year-old man who returned from hospital after recovering from COVID-19.

"It is because of the pandemic that I have made friends from all walks of life in the area where I live. These individuals have provided infinite inspiration and stories for my works," she adds.

In 2020, Chien made a painting after learning from her friend Zhou Jun, a public servant in the city's Dapuqiao community, about an anonymous philanthropist who donated 1,000 protective hazmat suits. The painting, with the words "he made me believe the world is truly a beautiful place" on it, quickly went viral. One of Chien's latest creations is inspired by an image Zhou posted on WeChat that shows public servants working through the night.

"As long as an artwork can touch people's hearts, I believe it is good art. It doesn't matter how simple it is," says Chien.