"Old Balcony" --- Sold

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In my last post, I asked feedbacks on weather I am on the right direction. I got many responses. I really appreciate your valuable and honest comments. They help me to grow and keep me out of trouble. Thank you so much.

My today's painting was still on practicing using gray colors in landscape painting. I have to say I have just touched the tip of the iceberg. My knowledge and experience on gray colors is very limited. I will explore more and will summarized what I have learned into a system. Currently, my gray colors are lack of variation. It needs more drama. I consider my skills with gray has just reached the functioning stage, It is not at the "stage of art" yet. but I will get there.

This coming week I will pause my study for a while, and concentrate on art teaching. My friend Colley Whisson will be here at Austin teaching a workshop, and then at the latter part of the week, I will go to Albuquerque, NM teaching a workshop. Life is so exciting.

"Old Window" --- Sold

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This painting was based on a photo I shot at Wuzhen. The old houses had very delicately designed windows. With this painting, I was practicing on showing more interesting textures on a white wall and control the temperature of the gray in casting shadows. I have moved away from my comfort zone quite far now. So please help me to have my sanity checked. If you think I am going too far, or I am going the direction you don't want to see I go into, please let me know. Thanks.

“In an Organic Garden" --- Sold

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I went to plein air painting again today with Plein Air Austin. This is a good practice on how to paint a wooden structure. I used a brown transparent color (transparent oxide red + viridian) painted the small house first, then I swept on top some opaque colors following the orientation of the wood planks. Finally used knife to define the gaps between the planks. I think it has shown the wooden texture pretty well.

"On a Beijing Street 7" --- Sold

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When I was in Beijing in January, I did 6 small paintings of my "On a Beijing Street" series. Yesterday I was checking my photos and see one I was interested in, and painted this one.

After my vermont trip, I have a relatively long time I can concentrate on studying and painting. I am satisfied what I have done so far. I have gained momentum in landscape painting and seen progress. I am getting more sensitive about my gray colors. and this one I paid much more attention to my designs on the balance of transparency and opacity.

"A Round Door" --- Sold

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This painting is from a photo I took earlier in China. I saw many round doors like this, but this one I was tempted to call it "a wrong door". I don't who places that stone slab in the way and puts a pot of flower on it. So this doorway is not functioning. However, it looks pretty good for a painting. I am practicing more with my palette knifes, trying to create more abstract effects.

"On a Texas Farm" --- Sold

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This is my very first plein air painting of the year. Yesterday I joined Plein Air Austin and painted at Michaelis Farm in Kyle, TX. I was very late for this event. When I started, Everybody has gone. The place is beautiful. I would like to go there again. My control on gray colors are getting better. I also used a lot of knife work on this one.

"A Small House" --- Sold

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How to make gray color colorful and not muddy. Many master artists know how to do it, but many of them either can't or do not want to talk about it. That is my objective now and maybe for a while. I hope some day I can nail it.

"Living by the Water" --- Sold

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Back for several days from workshop teaching, I have resumed my painting and learning. I was left at studying grey colors with landscapes, especially Chinese water towns. This is my third painting of Zhouzhuang from photographs. I have gained a little more confidence about grays, so I can go a little larger. This one is 8" x 10". I used pretty much the same gray scheme I used in the previous painting. This painting is a little tight, because I was unsure about too many things. I did many experiments. It was a lengthy process. I am glad I did this. This painting has revealed too much that I don't know.

"Putney Lilies" --- Not for sale

This is the painting I did at the Putney Painters' event last Saturday. I don't know the name of the flower. I think they are lilies. Richard Schmid was very kind. He showed me some tips, and did a few strokes on this painting. I am so thrilled he has signed this painting. This was a great inspiration for me. On my art journey I still have a long way to go. I had and will again run into difficulties. Sometimes, I feel tired and discouraged. However, I met some many good friends and teachers. They are so kind and supportive. I am very fortunate, and will keep on going.

"Painting with Richard Schmid"

I was so happy painting with Richard Schmid and a group of Putney painters Last Saturday. Richard and Nancy were in good spirit. The old red barn was full of laughter.  Putney painters meet every other week in the spring. Last Saturday happened to be a still life painting session. I painted some flowers. I will show you my painting in my next post.

"Demo at Putney 2013 2" --- Sold

My workshop at Putney has ended. I had a group of very advanced artists. All of them had quite many years of painting experiences. Well, here is Putney. What do you expect? This is my second demo painting.

When I was in Putney, it was snowing. Now I am back to Austin, it is full-blown summer. I am living such a boiling life, season changes almost everyday, time zone changes almost everyday, and location changes almost everyday. I feel I am having a roller coaster ride. Heeeeeeeeee-Haw!!!

"Demo at Putney 2013 1" --- Sold

This my first demo. I saw a few silver objects and they are so lovely to paint. Due to the time constrain, I didn't get chance to paint the beautiful handle of the silver pot in the back. I enjoyed the edge works of this painting, which made the painting mysterious.

This is my third workshop at Putney. I want to thank Penelope and Capt. John for putting this workshop together, and thank all the artists from all over for attending.

"Photo - Putney Vermont"

After some hiccups in the travel, I have arrived at the New England. Driving through Massachusetts in the peaceful dusk. I am in Putney Vermont now.  I am so happy to see Penelope and Capt. John. We stayed pretty late last night chatting, very down to earth and spiritual. This photo was taken from the window of my room this morning. I like the quietness here. I feel the tranquility and harmony.

"Demo at Carmel 2013 2" --- Sold

My workshop at Carmel ended today, and this is my second demo. I had a great time here. I really enjoyed painting this small brass clock. In order to help students to see my demo better, I use a projector to show my process enlarged on the wall. Now this time something funny happened. After I painted that clock, we all saw the projected image of the clock was ticking. It was true, I am not kidding. One of the hands of the clock was vibrating. Of course I knew that was caused by the image flickering of the projector, but it was so funny.

"Demo at Carmel 2013 1" --- Sold

Yesterday I arrived at Indianapolis. Today I started my workshop at Carmel, IN. I want to thank Kathleen O'Neil Stevens for organizing this workshop. I want thank all the artists from all over for attending. This is my first demo. As usual, I went through my painting procedures and talked about compositions on the first day.

"Zhouzhuang Impression"

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Coming back from New Braunfels. I was swamped into many chores and had to face some personal challenges. I didn't get a chance to paint until yesterday. This painting was quite an effort. The location is Zhouzhuang, China, where I plan to revisit this fall, and bring a few artists with me to paint plein air. To honest with you, I don't feel very comfortable painting landscapes, especially with subtle gray colors like this one. Now I have no way out, I have told everybody I am going to paint Zhouzhuang. So I better be prepared. I also encourage you to go with me. My information of this painting trip comes out relatively late, many of you may have already planned your vocations and painting trip for this year. But just in case you have interest and welling to go with me, this trip is still have quite a few openings. Please check Plein Air Painting in China to get more information.