Duluth’s Watercolor Legacy: The Life and Work of Cheng-Khee Chee

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11 months ago

Artistic representation for Duluth's Watercolor Legacy: The Life and Work of Cheng-Khee Chee

Cheng-Khee Chee, a celebrated watercolorist who called Duluth home for most of his life, left behind a legacy of art that continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world. As a pioneer in the field of watercolor, Chee’s innovative techniques and approach to art-making have earned him numerous accolades and recognition from the art community.

Eastern and Western Influences

Chee’s unique style of watercolor techniques, which blended Eastern and Western methods, has been widely praised for its beauty and originality. In an interview with the News Tribune in 2015, Chee attributed his artistic philosophy to the Taoist principle of “Do nothing, and everything will be done.” This approach to art-making, which emphasized the importance of intuition and spontaneity, allowed Chee to tap into the natural world and create stunning works of art.

Developed his own style of watercolor techniques, blending Eastern and Western methods
Used Taoist philosophy to inform his artistic approach
Created works of art that were both abstract and natural

A Life in Duluth

Chee’s connection to Duluth began in 1966, when he joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Tweed Museum. At the time, he was a librarian and professor, and it was during this period that he began to explore his artistic talents. After receiving a master’s degree in library science from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Chee moved to Duluth and began teaching watercolor courses.

Year	Event	Role
1966	Joined faculty at UMD’s Tweed Museum	Librarian and professor
1981	Became an assistant professor	Watercolor instructor
1988	Became an associate professor	Watercolor instructor

A Passion for Teaching

Chee’s passion for teaching was evident in his approach to art-making. As Robert Carlson, an organic chemistry professor at UMD, noted, “He was someone who could take his philosophy and blend it with nature and create the most amazing things.” Carlson, who joined the UMD faculty the year after Chee, had the opportunity to observe Chee’s teaching style firsthand. blockquote>
“I attended a couple of his workshops and he was such a good teacher, one of the best that I’ve encountered,” Carlson said. “By the time he got done, he had me believing that I could do it too. Then I realized he was talking to my head and not my hands. But really, he was such an incredible teacher.”

A Legacy of Art and Service

Chee’s impact on the art world extends far beyond his own work. His dedication to teaching and mentoring has inspired countless students, and his contributions to the Duluth community have been invaluable. In 1994, Chee took an early retirement from UMD to pursue art full-time, but not before receiving the University of Minnesota’s Distinguished Teaching Award.

Received the University of Minnesota’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1994
Illustrated the book “Old Turtle” by Douglas Wood, which sold over 125,000 copies
Donated a collection of original artwork to the UMD library’s archives and special collections

A Humble Legacy

Despite his numerous accolades, Chee remained humble and dedicated to his craft. As Matt Rosendahl, library director for UMD’s Kathryn A. Martin Library, noted, “He was always very humble, even when people commented on his art. He’d say ‘Oh, but remember, I’m just a humble librarian.'”
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“He wanted his artwork to not just be stored away in a vault somewhere, but for it to be where students and people who want to learn watercolor could learn from his techniques,” Rosendahl said. “His files and drawings and notes will allow students to come and learn from his unique way of creating watercolor art.”

A Lasting Impact

Chee’s legacy continues to inspire and influence the art world. His innovative techniques and approach to art-making have paved the way for future generations of artists. As a testament to his impact, Chee’s artwork remains in high demand, and his contributions to the Duluth community continue to be celebrated.