This creative research originated from the author’s realizations about life, experiences of growing up and the special subjects contacted at work, such as the current physiological state, as well as psychological and emotional responses. Through observation, realization, reflection, transference and imagination, the creative research explored the meaning of imagery in painting, and the combination of imagery in art forms and personal thoughts. Through different modes of thinking and an imagery of the concept of time, from real life, nature, to the human consciousness, the creative elements were selected. Through imagery formation, displacement, grafting, quasi-surrealistic techniques and abstract expression, the creation was constructed. The contemporary creative vocabulary has taken shape through the concept of “Time and Transition.”

In order to remain in touch with the mood of the moment, the proportion or sequence of ink strokes and color applied to the painting comes with no special rules, leading to the expansion of creative freedom. Through sketches, the author reshapes images, symbols and symbolic meanings and then transforms them into a landscape within her mind. By extracting and refining elements from contemporary painting as well as Chinese and Western artistic traditions, the author has altered her creative mindset by knowledge expansion and strengthening of logical thinking. This way, all creative works have a traceable context and aids in shaping the characteristics of personal works.

In chapter 1 “Introduction,” the motivation and objectives, contents and scope of the creative research, as well as the definitions of terms and research framework are explained. In Chapter 2 “Academic Discussion,” the expressions of Eastern and Western artists toward the “Time and Transition” imagery were explored to conduct discourse analysis and discussion. In Chapter 3 “Creative Concepts and Implementations,” the creative content and form expressions were explored and analyzed. In chapter 4 “Analysis of Works,” the author’s creative concepts, forms of expression, theme contents and creation descriptions were narrated. Chapter 5 “Reflections and prospects” covers a review and reflection on the creative research process, as well as the author’s future development direction and outlook.