Huang Yongyu is hailed an art genius among the artists of his time. He spent his childhood in Fenghuang, a heavenly county with landscapes and folk culture that continues to inspire his artistic creations today.

At the age of 13, he left his hometown alone for Xiamen, Fujian province, to continue junior high school education. Unable to catch up with his classmates academically, he found the school library a retreat where he read extensively and nurtured his literary skills. He also taught himself the art of woodprints.

After a conflict with local children, he dropped out of school and embarked upon a vagabond life. He supported himself by doing odd jobs and selling portraits and prints.