‘The Colors Are Full of Life’: Writer and Illustrator Finds Creative Inspiration in Shen Yun
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On March 25, 2026, Michelle Phillips and John Phillips attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Swansea Building Society Arena in Swansea, UK. Li Ming/The Epoch Times
SWANSEA, UK—On the evening of March 25, 2026, children’s book author and illustrator Michelle Phillips attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ third local performance at the Swansea Building Society Arena in Swansea, UK, alongside her husband, John Phillips. The performance left a lasting impression on the artist, who praised its visual richness and artistic depth.
Ms. Phillips, who runs her own studio and both writes and illustrates Christian children’s books, spoke highly of Shen Yun’s masterful use of color, noting that it sparked her creative inspiration.
Viewing the performance through a professional lens, she said what stood out most was “the balance of color.” She remarked, “The colors are full of life—very interesting. There’s a strong use of complementary colors, like oranges and blues, and it’s absolutely beautiful to look at. The overall aesthetic is really stunning.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, dedicated to reviving 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired heritage and sharing the beauty of “China before communism” with audiences worldwide.
Ms. Phillips shared her delight in attending the performance, describing it as a memorable experience. “We loved the show,” she said. “We saw it advertised, and John really wanted to go, so I bought the tickets as a birthday present. It was wonderful—really beautiful. I love all the colors in it.”
Beyond its striking palette, Ms. Phillips praised the performance’s dance and music, highlighting their refinement and originality. “The dance and movement are just perfection,” she said. “The music is beautiful—very unusual and different. I especially loved the instruments I hadn’t heard before. There was one during the men’s dance that I’d never heard—it was beautiful and very refreshing.”
She further described the performance as fluid and ever-evolving. “It flows so beautifully,” she said. “It’s wonderful to watch and is constantly moving. Just as you get used to one scene, it transforms into something else—it’s really, really good.”
Mr. Phillips was equally impressed, offering a simple yet heartfelt reflection. “The movement, the art, the music, the dancing—it’s all absolutely beautiful,” he said.
As an illustrator, Ms. Phillips said the performance offered her creative inspiration. She also expressed her admiration for the artists. “Well done,” she said. “They’re truly inspiring. It’s wonderful to learn about the history as well.”
The couple both said they would highly recommend Shen Yun to others. “Absolutely,” Ms. Phillips said. “It’s wonderful—we’ve enjoyed every second. Thank you so much.”
