Mei-Ying Dell’Aquila, Artist

It is an honor that my painting ‘The Watcher’ has been juried in to the 2D competition at Triton Museum of Art by the juror Cuong Nguyen.

The Watcher
74″ x 47″
Oil on canvas, 2023

At the center of the painting, a woman is depicted holding a pair of binoculars accompanied by her dog, suggesting her role as an observer of the world around her. This symbolizes the need for heightened awareness when it comes to the pressing issue of climate change.

Through her actions, she becomes a metaphorical guardian, diligently watching over the planet and its inhabitants and encourages us to imagine and strive for a world where nature can flourish, birds can soar.

My painting, ‘Justice’ has recently been purchased by Mission College, Santa Clara, CA, as an addition to their permanent collection.

Justice

38″ x 38″
Oil on canvas, 2008

Lady Liberty, adorned with armor, blindfolded, and holding a sword, symbolizes the tireless pursuit of what is right.

The blindfold worn by Lady Liberty is a symbol of impartiality and objectivity. It represents her commitment to judge solely based on the facts, unbiased by external influences. By obscuring her vision, the blindfold signifies that justice is blind to the differences that divide humanity, treating all individuals equally. In this painting, the blindfold reinforces that justice should be pursued without prejudice, favoritism, or discrimination.

Rising Above Challenge

60″ x 36″
Oil on canvas, 2022

The Statue of Liberty is an icon I use to represent the wisdom and intelligence inside each one of us. By doing so, I hope to empower people to take charge and change the world for the better; to be the very same people that we hoped would help us reach the next frontier. Throughout history, men have traditionally occupied this role, so through my work, my intent is to encourage women to take ownership of this role as well.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic crises, I portray Lady Liberty as a force for good, a source of healing and strength. In this painting, Lady Liberty, who represents the collective “us”, kneels on the Eagle Gargoyle in a determined, confident pose, ready to rise above the challenge.

Tenuous Hope
48″ x 48″
Oil on canvas, 2022

This painting is a response to the struggles associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Portrayed here is Kratos, the Greek God of strength and power, who hauls a rope that is entwined with the COVID-19 virus and fitted through a pulley that eventually strangles the neck of an encroaching vulture. The vulture is wearing a death mask which symbolizes suffering and devastation caused by the virus.

Future Germinator

48″ x 36″
Oil on canvas, 2021

This unusual baby is still connected to the umbilical cord, even though the time of birth has long since passed. Despite her underdeveloped condition, she has begun exploring her world through the window of the smart phone. The smartphone has become her babysitter; it has replaced her toys, her friends, and has become her understanding of the world around her. The smartphone is the center of her developing life – the future germinator.

Current Events

  • My painting ‘The Watcher’ was juried in to the 2D Competition at Triton Museum of Art by the juror, Cuong Nguyen.
  • My painting, ‘Justice’ has been purchased by Mission College, Santa Clara, CA, as one of their permanent collection.
  • Solo Show at Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay OR., Jan 3, 2025 – April 13, 2025
  • Board Member and Treasurer of of the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, CA.
  • Art teacher at Triton Museum of Art.
Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, California, Pocket Exhibition promotional video featuring my work.

Coos Art Museum

Expressions West 2022 Exhibit

Best of Show Winner!

Candids from Triton Museum event

Mei-Ying Dell’Aquila: Biography

I am Taiwanese American with a Master’s Degree in Art. I am also a retired art educator living in California, and I paint primarily in oil.

Being Taiwanese American and straddling these two cultures have allowed me to see similarities and conflicts which inform and influence my paintings. Ever since becoming an educator, I have always encouraged my students to strive to become the best that they can be; encouraging their self- empowerment to take charge and change the world for the better.

Therefore, in my paintings I am constantly drawn toward depicting strong figures to demonstrate to my viewers that we can indeed leave this world a better place than how we found it.

As an art teacher, I always loved to tell the stories of paintings and the histories behind them. My lectures and recitations have instilled in me a strong affinity for the myths of different cultures, which in turn has influenced the ideas in my paintings. I use strong colors to convey deep, sharp feelings, to connect with the struggle.

My use of color and composition is influenced by the baroque style of art, which is characterized by self-confidence and dynamism. I paint figures which enable me to exaggerate their muscles, an expression of force and power.

Current Roles:

• Board Member and Treasurer of of the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, CA.

• Art teacher at Triton Museum of Art.

Art Show Awards:

(2023) My painting, ‘Justice’ has been purchased by Mission College, Santa Clara, CA, as one of their permanent collection.

(2022) Best Of Show Award, Coos Art Museum, juried in by Walt Padgett (Coos Bay, OR).

(2018) Chief Curator’s Choice award, Triton Art Museum, juried in by Maria Ester Fernandez (Santa Clara, CA).

(2017) Third Place Award, Coos Art Museum, Expression West 2017 Competition Juried in by Katherine Chang Liu (Coos Bay, OR).

(2016) Merit award, Coos Art Museum, Expression West 2016 Competition Juried in by Leslie Kenneth Price (Coos Bay, OR).

(2014) Third Place Award, Triton Museum of Art Statewide painting competition 2014. Juried in by Preston Metcalf, Maria Ester Fernandez & Stephanie Learmonth (Santa Clara, CA).

(2013) First Place Award, Pacific Art League, Breath of Spring National Competition. Juried in by George Rivera (Palo Alto, CA).

(2013) Honorable Mention Award, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, the Summer 2013 National Competition, Juried in by George Rivera (Marin, CA).

(2013) Honorable Mention Award, Santa Cruz Art League, the Black and White Competition, Juried in by Mr. George (Santa Cruz, CA).

(2013) People’s Choice Award, Triton Museum (Santa Clara, CA).

(2013) Honorable Mention Award, Pacific Art League, Fur, Feathers and Fins Competition Juried in by Mr. Michael(Palo Alto, CA).

(2011) Honorable Mention Award, Los Gatos Art Association Juried in by Kim Lordier (Los Gatos, Ca).

(2010) Second Place Award, Art Museum of Los Gatos juried in by Jeff Brambschreiber (Los Gatos, Ca).

Solo shows:

(2025) Coos Art Museum, Jan 3, 2025 – April 13, 2025 (Coos Bay OR.)

(2023) ‘Justice’ was purchased by Mission College, Santa Clara, CA, to add to their permanent collection.

(2020) Triton Art Museum Pocket Exhibition (Santa Clara, CA.)

(2014) Intel Corporation, (Santa Clara, CA.)

(2012) Mid-Peninsula Media Center, (Palo Alto, CA.)

(2011) SJCC Gallery, (San Jose, CA.)

(2010) Mid-peninsula Media Center (Palo Alto, CA.)

(2010) Pacific Art League (Palo Alto, CA.)

(2010) Oak Creek Club House (Palo Alto, CA.)

(1984) Valencia Street Books (San Francisco, CA.)

Juried in Group Shows:

(2023) My painting, ‘The Watcher.’ has been juried in to the 2 D Competition at Triton Museum of Art by the juror, Cuong Nguyen.

(2021) Triton Art Museum 2D competition 2021 (Santa Clara, CA.)

(2016) Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, 2016 Competition (Marietta, GA.)

(2015) Masur Museum, 52th National Art Competition (Monroe, LA.)

(2014) Customs House Museum “Women Painting Women Exhibit” (Clarksville, TN.)

(2014) Haggin Museum, 58thNational Art Competition (Stockton, CA.)

(2014) Northwest Area Arts Council, 27th Women’s Work (Woodstock, IL.)

(2013) Museum of the Living Artist, 52nd International competition at San Diego Art Institute (San Diego, CA.)

(2013) Sequim Museum & Art Center, 2013 National Juried competition (Sequim, WA.)

(2013) Triton Museum Gala art show (Santa Clara, CA.)

(2012) The Museum of Russian Art (Jersey City, NJ.)

(2012) Farmington Museum (Farmington, NM.)

(2012) Customs House Museum (Clarksville, TN.)

(2012) Sequim Museum & Art Center (Sequim, WA.)

(2012) De Young Museum (San Francisco, CA.)

(2012) Coos Art Museum, Expression West 2012 Competition (Coos Bay, OR).

(2012) Northwest Area Arts Council, 25th Anniversary Show (Woodstock, IL.)

(2012) Rose Shengson Gallery, Triton Museum, LGAA (Santa Clara, CA.)

(2011) Triton Museum Statewide painting competition 2011, (Santa Clara, CA.)

(2010) Richeson Gallery, International landscape Competition (Kimberly, WI.)

(2010) Haggin Museum, National Art Competition (Stockton, CA.)

Previous experience: 

(25 years) Owner and teacher of My Art School (After school art program for students).

(16 years) Freelance computer graphics designer.

(7 years) Chinese school (bilingual language) teacher.

(6.5 years) Volunteer for school room parent coordinator.

(8 years) Silicon Valley Basketball Team founder, board member, and volunteer.

Master of Arts Degree from San Francisco State University.

Triton Museum Drawing Class, September 6, 2023
Triton Museum Drawing Class, September 27, 2023