My Chinese Ink-Wash Painting (II)

This is the October Golden Week. The Middle Kingdom is on holiday. And I am just posting another Chinese ink-wash painting. I think, again the original is from famous Qi BaiShi.

My Chinese Ink-Wash Painting (I)

What do I do in China besides blogging? I also paint - from time to time.

A Chinese painter and painting teacher was recommended to me for taking lessons in traditional Chinese ink-wash painting. She even speaks English and came to my house every week. She is a strict teacher and was not very happy with me being a bit too lazy, not painting enough... She said, if I want to become a painter, I have to exercise every day. - I was flattered about her deeming it possible that I ever could becoming a painter... well, I know, I have some talent, but still painting is a craft that needs to be learned.

The picture above shows my work. The teacher made me copy a painting by Qi BaiShi, one of the greatest Chinese painters.

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BTW, today was the last day of the Art Beijing 2007. It was all about modern art. Flashy colours, political correct and expensive. It was interesting to see paintings, photography and installations from so many different artists exhibited by even more different galleries. But after leaving the exhibition hall I had mixed feelings. Somehow sad to see how commercial the art business is. But can a 'starving painter' live from 'l'art pour l'art'?

Fang Xiang at Creation Gallery in Beijing

It is time to post something beautiful. I have not been painting or posting paintings for too long. Yesterday I got another email from Lolita from Creation Gallery at Ritan Park in Beijing. The gallery shows new paintings from Fang Xiang, one of my favorite Chinese painters. He is more popular among expats than among Chinese as his paintings are not 'traditional'. I like his paintings because they are calm and lively at the same time. They are full of Chinese elements, like bird cages, Chinese doors and chairs, lilies and bamboo - without being 'too Chinese'. The colours he use are vivid, the compositions just beautiful....

I am not a professional painting reviewer, just look for yourself and visit Creation Gallery.

From the gallery's website I got Fang Xiang's resume:
His works have appeared 'in many provincial and national art exhibitions and have won numerous awards. Many of his works have been exhibited in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Czechoslovakia, America and Canada. His works are part of the collections of China Art Museum, Associations of Chinese Artists, the Academy of Chinese Painting, and etc.'

The painting above is called 'A Narrow and quiet path', 136x34 cm, Wash and Ink, 52,000 RMB (about 5,200 Euro).

This one is called 'Courtyard'. It is in horizontal format, that means you do not necessarily need to have a pair. (34x136 cm, Wash and Ink, 52,000 RMB - about 5,200 Euro).

Sigh, the price is high. I should have bought something from Fang Xiang in Singapore many years ago, when I first saw his art. At that time I hesitated. Cannot remember the price, but he also was not cheap at that time.

Chinese Wallpaper

I discovered the beauty of Chinese wall'paper'. They are mostly hand painted on silk and very expensive. As the Chinese are good in copying everything, I went to the home decorating markets to look for the same beauty on normal paper for affordable prices. But I found only some less interesting prints on vinyl paper. So far. I still have that idea of having a room decorated in Chinese Style or a bathroom or guest toilet covered with Chinese Wallpaper.

Here are some pretty wall decorations - above and below hand painted on silk, available via Lehman & Qian in Shanghai and Karolina Lehman in Beijing.







The last three pictures I found via Wallpaper and digital murals on Flickr.

Beijing: Another Painting from Creation Gallery

Lady and Cat Series 2007.5 by Zhang Yongping
Oil Painting on Canvas, 97x130cm
(about 3000 USD)

This is the other painting my husband preferred. He just likes modern oil or acrylic painting better than the traditional Chinese Paintings. Although the other two paintings I posted were not that traditional. I agree, the painting is beautiful and very calm. But I did not like the small heads of the women painted by female painter Zhang Yongping. Didn't Henry Moore made those kind of bronze statues?

Painting and photo source: Creation Gallery, Beijing

... offline in Beijing

Yesterday, my laptop refused to restart. That was around lunch time. In the evening my husband's laptop crashed. His laptop was repaired at his office during the day, today, while mine will be 'diagnosed' tomorrow and I might have to wait a couple of days, if not longer before I get it back! That is terrible! How can I keep you all posted? I have so much to report.

At the moment I just borrowed my husband's laptop. He has a different key arrangement and all the blogger menu is in Chinese... so it slows me down...
The good thing was, that in the afternoon, I sat in the garden with pencil and paper writing two posts in an very old fashioned way. That was a nice change. One post will be about an Peking Opera star and one will be about a cashmere fashion designer based in Beijing.

The visit of the art village, today, was totally different than expected. My friends and I thought that we might 'discover' some 'starving' artist and get some nice art work for a good deal. However, the artists that were introduced to us today had already contracts with established art galleries in Dashanzi 798. No painting under 3,000 USD !!! One was for 30,000 USD, but then the artist said, oh no sorry, it is 300,000 USD. I am still not sure if he ment Yuan (RMB) or USD. But everything was priced in USD there. The more successful the painter the bigger his house and exhibition area. Nevertheless, it was interesting and I took many pictures from fresh art and young artists.
coming soon...

Beijing: ... more fresh art

I went to the Creation Gallery yesterday, to see the latest work from Du Jie. I really liked 'Watching the clouds' that I posted yesterday.

But then I found this other painting from Du Jie, called 'Living in the countryside', same size (68x68cm), same price (16000 RMB). I might even like it better. It was not framed yet. They hold it for me in the frame next to 'Watching the clouds' to better compare. I think, I prefer 'Living in the countryside'. I love the mix of styles. The mountain is kind of traditional Chinese ink painting while the countryside is more contemporary style. And the colours, again, are a wonderful composition.

Regarding 'Watching the clouds' from yesterday's post, I found out that the turquoise dots are not the clouds but some bushes, trees... the clouds are white ... of course!

I cannot buy everything I like, right? Mmmh, I am still thinking in Beijing ...

Photo: from Creation Gallery.
Visit the link to find the biography of Du Jie, more of his paintings and other Chinese artists.

Beijing: Fresh Art

This painting is one of the new works from Du Jie and can be seen at the Creation Art Gallery at the North East corner of Ritan park. It is called 'Watching the Clouds'. I love the colours and the perspective!

It is Wash and Ink on Rice Paper, 68x68cm, price: 16,000 RMB

The new works are on show since Monday, May 21st, and last for one week.

For further information call Lolita: +86 13691286363 from Creation Art Gallery