Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Ma Bei) news: On a July afternoon in Korla, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Yehua Pottery Studio buzzed with creative energy as mural artist Lei Xue huddled over her sketch of "Court Ladies Preparing Newly Woven Silk," carefully adjusting lines and paint mixtures with her team. Nearby, several jars of acrylic paint sat in shallow water under plastic wrap. This simple but effective preservation method was something she had perfected through years of adapting to Xinjiang's dry climate.

Photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows mural artist Lei Xue creates a relief wall painting artwork in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo offered by Lei Xue)

Now 29, Lei's artistic journey began in childhood art classes, where teachers frequently kept her creations as exemplary work. This early recognition quietly nurtured her path into the art world.

After graduating in advertising design seven years ago, Lei struggled with corporate design work and office dynamics, which were challenges compounded by her hearing impairment. Her career took a turn when a client spotted her talent and offered mural work. That first brushstroke reignited her artistic spark.

Her first project was for a yoga studio, which wanted warm, soft-toned walls to create a feminine atmosphere. Xinjiang's climate posed a battle as paints dried prematurely. Drawing from her mother's pickle-preserving technique, Lei devised a water-and-plastic-wrap system to keep pigments workable, though she still had to race against hardening paints. Multiple layers had to be scraped and redone before achieving the perfect delicate gradients.

When completed a month later, the studio owner marveled at walls. The mural became a local attraction, with visitors photographing and posing before it. Watching the reactions from below her creation, Lei's teary smile marked her first true confidence as a professional artist.

In the beginning, Lei's mural commissions all came through referrals from friends and family. She approached every project with meticulous attention to detail, regardless of the budget, often delivering work that surpassed the original designs. Clients were happy to recommend her. "Painting murals is like being a person," she said. "Work with sincerity, and people will naturally trust you."

Photo shows mural artist Lei Xue poses with her rural wall painting artwork in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo offered by Lei Xue)

As time passed, Lei's mural projects grew in number, allowing her to expand from working solo to managing a team of seven to eight artists. To bridge communication gaps caused by her hearing impairment, she developed detailed color coded sketches and relied on visual demonstrations. One of her most notable works in Heshilike Township, Korla City, features a portrait of actress Dilraba Dilmurat, captured from her appearance at the Kashi sub-venue of the 2024 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, beautifully framed by winding grapevines.

Local resident Reziwangul Amat would often stop to admire the artwork. "This wall used to be bare and our village looked dull," she shared. "Now people stop to take pictures and children play around it after school. It's brought new energy to our neighborhood."

While successfully building her mural business, Lei also found ways to integrate art into daily life. She opened a handicraft store in a shopping center that displayed handmade pottery, woven accessories and tie dye fabrics, attracting many young customers and families. To expand her offerings, she traveled to craft centers including Jingdezhen, Xiamen and Chengdu to learn new techniques, which she later taught as workshops. Her shop quickly became a creative community space with nearly 600 regular members. "We offer intensive classes during holidays while continuing mural projects on weekdays," she explained, skillfully balancing both businesses.

Today, Lei maintains a busy schedule, sometimes visiting up to five mural sites daily. Yet she holds a simple but meaningful goal: "I dream of filling Korla's streets with art so everyone who passes by can feel inspired. I want to show the world how Xinjiang's beauty shines in every corner."

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