Xia Li: Transformed Original Painting

Xia Li

Ink and watercolor on 11" x 15" watercolor paper

Artwork by Rob Schamberger

Going back to her debut in the Mae Young Classic I found Xia Li to be fascinating, but it's her recent dark transformation that's really inspiring me visually. Being WWE's first female competitor from China, she brings so much that's culturally unique to the ring, and thus giving me a lot to work with creatively.

For this particular piece, I thought it'd be interesting to do a more minimalist composition, mostly just red with a swath of her face, playing off of her entrance attire. It frames the half of her features that we see in a compelling way that uses her gaze to speak of the calculated danger she presents to any who cross her.