Born in the Yunnan province of China, Close to Tibet, Xiao Ming found her artwork on her beliefs and traditions of living with nature as a guardian and protector. These beliefs and traditions may have influenced Ming to favor colored inks, a gouache of sorts derived from mineral pigments bound by using animal glue, Ming's work is steeped in Chinese art history, influenced by the ancient scroll paintings depicting the mountains of China, Xiao Ming interprets the Chinese landscape juxtaposed with her own personages and figures. In addition to possessing a unique talent with natural art, Xiao Ming combines her quiet faith with a sense of aestheticism, holding them in a kind of symbolism that, to the western eye, remains shrouded in mystery.