Arlina Cai is a Brooklyn-based abstract artist whose work is celebrated for its soft, ethereal compositions that blur the boundaries between dream and reality. Her unique process and technique has quickly caught the eye of collectors and curators as well as collaborators.

Arlina! Hi—how fun was last week’s Paper Dinner? You were iconic, rolling in straight from the printer with prints for all the guests.

Such a fun time.

Let’s jump in—I know your story, but can you give us a quick background on what brought you to an art career?

I grew up on the East Coast in an immigrant Chinese household. I had a pretty “normal” childhood as the eldest daughter, which came with a lot of pressure to be a “good kid” and set an example for my younger brother. Like many others with a traditional Chinese family upbringing, I felt pressured to follow a certain path to be successful. However, at the same time as I was growing up, my mother was going through her spiritual awakening, which I can see the influence of now. But for a long time I had the “art is a hobby” mindset—I told myself I had to be practical. I went to undergrad for business and then worked in corporate for seven years before realizing I wasn’t living the life I dreamed of. Things started to fall into place after I left a relationship and my job. Art became a way for me to find freedom.

Your works are so dream-like, which ties into your story of following your dream. They really make dreams come alive, especially with the color and technique. Where do you find inspiration for the colors and feel of your works?

Honestly, I find that my work tends to be seasonal—summer is usually brighter and clearer, while winter can be darker and moodier. I paint what I feel. My environment has a huge influence on my work. I love to play with the unexpected and experiment with color.

The cycle of change, paired with such a consistent look and feel, is so unique. As you’ve transitioned from a corporate background to a creative space, what has been your biggest challenge, and what are you most proud of?

I struggle a lot with feeling like I haven’t done enough. There are so many challenges, and I always want to see progress. In the corporate world, I had clear milestones and metrics to hit, but creativity doesn’t work in a linear way. I’m learning to give myself grace and allow things to flow.

What’s the single biggest source of inspiration for your work?

Because my work is abstract, it’s really driven by emotion. It comes from within—I don’t know what the final product will look like until it’s done. I want to convey my internal emotions. Relationships, deep conversations, the colors of a sunset, whatever moves me inspires me. Whenever I feel stuck, I remind myself of the decision to become an artist and show that dreams are worth pursuing and that life should be lived fully.

Your work really acts as a vessel for imagination and creativity for the collector. Speaking of imagination, as you think about the future of the art world, what do you hope to see for artists in the coming years?

There’s already so much more transparency in the art world, especially with digital platforms like Cohart opening up the audience. I hope that as artists continue to bloom, collectors and fans start to truly understand the value of art—not just as an aesthetic, but as an asset and an investment. I guess you could say, I hope for more consumer education.

Who do you look up to the most as an artist?

There are so many people I admire, but I don’t know if I have a specific role model. I think I value my independence too much. I really want to be the best version of myself. Honesty with myself leads to honesty in my work.

What does success mean to you as an artist?

I have my own metrics, but ultimately, I want to feel free. Free to express myself and create what I want. Stability is also important—knowing that I can continue to make art that goes out into the world.

Intuition and choice-driven metrics. I love that.

I wouldn’t be this way without my mother. She’s truly one-of-a-kind. Growing up with her influence, I’ve learned to really lean into intuition in both my work and my journey.

How do you think the digital space has influenced art and artists?

The exposure and access that the digital space provides is critical. But I also think about how it can be improved. There’s definitely room for better demonstration of the value of art. If more consumers and collectors were aware of the stories behind the art, I think there’d be more collaboration instead of commercialization. It all comes back to valuing art.

Intentionality from all angles—intentionality in the work, in collecting, and in collaboration. Last question: What excites you the most about the art market right now?

I’m excited that artists are doing more than just creating art. There are so many new ways to generate revenue and be creative. More doors are opening outside the traditional art market for artists to showcase their work and make a living. It’s so inspiring to see.

I agree, and you’re such a great example of that. Thank you for doing this! See you soon!