"Demo at Magnolia 2" --- Sold

This painting was my second demo at the Magnolia workshop. You probably noticed I use more and more complete dark background recently. I got a little bored with my dark triangle on the left corner type of background design. I think you may get bored as well. You are experiencing the growing process of my art. At the beginning, I didn’t know what I was doing. I simply just paint. Then I developed some comfort zones. So you see similar paintings. I did stay in those comfort zones for a while so I could adjust the fine structures. Now I think I am in the third stage of growing. I come out from my comfort zones and explore new possibilities. We may experience together that my painting quality could have some fluctuations, but it is natural. We have to go through the growing pain.

"Demo at Magnolia 1" --- Sold

I just came back from Magnolia, TX teaching a workshop. It has been the third year I teach at ARLC. Ms. Marty Hatcher did a superb job organizing these workshops. Thank you so much Marty. I was so enjoyed meeting wonderful artists in the workshop. Thank you all very much. This painting was my first demo. The dark vase captured the cooler light made this setup so enjoyable to paint.

I apologize that I have not posted for a while. It is the tax time and I have spent my already very limited painting time in bookkeeping a lot. I felt so wonderful for a week that my recent reduced time at my engineering work spared me some day light so I did a couple of plein air work, but I went back to my old working hours last week because I need to squeeze some hours together (you know physicists can do that) for the workshop. However, I am confident that my life will be more in control in the future. So please do not worry, and be happy.

"New Sweden Church" --- Sold

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On Thursday morning, I joined the Plein Air Austin group and painted this beautiful church. It was so wonderful painting with PAA again. I was a member for many years, but have not been active for a long time. This paint out was arranged by my friend Robert. As a matter of fact, he scarifies quite a bid finding this location. Several years ago. Robert was bicycling near Manor, Texas. He had a bad fall on a country road and lost two of his front teeth. With a blood covered face, he stood up and found this beautiful place. "What a painting it is!" Robert thought. Now he is back and with many artists coming with him. I felt quite good about what I did. The greys work nicely. I appreciate so much that many friends sharing their grey recipes with me. I can't wait to try them all.

"JMK Log House" --- Sold

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I did this little plein air sketch this morning. This is an old log house located very close to where I live. Compared with my painting posted previously, I felt a little better. I am working on the foundation of my plein air paintings. For this one, I am paying attention on mixing greys. I was using ultramarine blue, cadmium orange, and Naples yellow to get the grey for the shadow of the house. If you have good ways of mixing greys, would you mind sharing them with me?

"Texas Country" --- Sold

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I did this plein air painting the afternoon in the Texas Hill Country. I felt great painting outdoors, but the painting was very challenge to me. Since I have not painted much plein air. The scene was overwhelming, the colors were different. I was out my comfort zone completely. I can't use my still life approaches here. This is my first time painting cactus. I really don't know what I was doing. I let my intuition take the lead. My colors were undefined, and my composition was accidental. I just simply paint. So if you feel you don't know how to paint something, you just simply paint.

"Spring on Branches" --- Sold

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This is another painting I did in the morning. We have this peach tree growing in our back yard. We didn't plant it. It must come out from the compost pile my wife made. The blossoms are so beautiful giving our yard full of spring. I must paint them before too late. I have used some of my study results I obtained from investigating how to paint colors of white objects. It works. If the spring has not arrived at your place yet, I hope this painting will bring some warm air to you.

Workshop Reminder

I will teach a 3-day still life painting workshop at Magnolia TX (near Houston) from March 26 to March 28. We still have a few openings. If you are interested in this workshop, please contact Marty Hatcher at mart4art2@sbcglobal.net .

Thanks,

Qiang

"Red and Black"

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I really can’t believe it. I did this painting on a Tuesday morning - a regular working weekday. About a month ago, I negotiated with my boss that I want to reduce my pay and free some time for my art. To most of engineers, it is rather bizarre to propose something like that. After several push-pulls, I got what I want. Now I am allowed to work 30 hours per week. I am still considered full-time engineer so I can keep my benefit. I am so grateful to the company’s decision. You know I call myself a DAILY painter, but in reality I have been painting NIGHTLY all the time. Man, it surely feels so goooooood painting under day light. Now, I am able to FEEL the spring coming to Texas. I am so happy that life can be this good. I pinch myself to verify that I am not in my dream.

"Demo at Dallas 2" --- Sold

I am a little late on my blog posting. This is the second demo painting I did at Dallas. Now, it becomes a routine that I need to show how to paint roses at my workshops. I enjoy doing it too.

After I mentioned that my wife's email got hacked, we received many phone calls and emails showing tips and offering helps. We are really touched and feel grateful to all of you. Song has set up a new email account, and our life is coming back to normal gradually. I wish I could articulate our thanks more expressively, but our limited English abilities limit us to do so. The only way I can do is working more on my painting and teaching, and provide better paintings and more effective teaching to assist your progress in art. Thank you.

"Demo at Dallas 1" --- Sold

This is my first demo at my workshop at Dallas. I want to thank Mrs. La Rue Hunter and ACA for putting this workshop together. I really enjoyed meeting so many wonderful artists. We had great time in those three days.

Once a workshop is over, I usually have a couple of days I can relax my mind (I am always busy physically). However this time, I have no chance. On Wednesday morning, I just checked out from my hotel and on my way out, my wife, Song, called me in the mood of panic. She told me that her email got hijacked. The bad guys sent emails to all the people on her contact list and said that she was in UK and got robbed, she really needed cash, and asked people to send money to an address in UK. Song couldn't login her email account any more. She got a lot of phone calls asking her if this was true. I drove back to the hotel and send a warning message to all my subscribers right away. After I rush back to Austin, we called yahoo to report that Song's email got stolen. You know what, Yahoo did not consider Song was the real owner of her email address, because she couldn't remember the correct answer of one of the security questions. So Yahoo won't help us to reset Song's password, and the bad guys are keeping sending harmful messages to innocent people. I really cross my finger and hope that nobody is losing money because this. Yahoo service people even hung up phone on us. We really don't know what else we can do. In any event, if you happen to be on Song's mailing list and receive email from: yuehongsong188@yahoo.com, PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY. If you are registered student of Calvin Liang's workshops, you can contact me to ask questions and we will send you new contact methods. If you have experiences dealing with email problems, please help us. We appreciate it very much.

"Yellow Daisy" --- Sold

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My wife, Song, had some leftover yellow daisies sitting in the corner of our kitchen after her ikebana meeting. I put them on my still life stand and did this painting almost en plein air. I really had hard time when I started. The value range was very narrow, the purples and yellows are almost the same in value and temperature. It was so abstract at the beginning that I almost gave it up. I straggled through and kind of like how it turned out. I like to have the painting as abstract as possible but keep the accuracy so the painting still representational. I will be in Dallas, TX this weekend teaching my third workshop of the year. Keep checking and I will keep you posted.

"Demo at Phoenix 2" --- Sold

My second demo was to show how to paint roses. I made everybody very tense at the workshop. I was painting very slowly, making sure every stroke counts. I painted quite a few roses by now, but I still feel it is tremendously challenging. I wish I could have practiced more, because I have not seen much progress in my rose paintings for a while. I am working on freeing more time for painting this year. So far I have not seen any effect. But I am trying. Although I am teaching, but I don't feel I know much more than my students. Many of artists attending my workshops are spectacular painters. They inspire me and help me grow. I am really grateful about that.

"Demo at Phoenix 1" --- Sold

I have spent 3 wonderful days in Phoenix AZ, and had a really great time. Before this trip, I did not know that Phoenix and Scottsdale are so close. I arrived on last Thursday afternoon. It happened to be the date of the Scottsdale gallery walk. All galleries were open to very late hours. A local artist named Li Mahalik picked me up, and we went to see great art in Scottsdale. I was amazed to see so many great paintings there. I have learned quite a bit. Arizona is so beautiful. It changed my idea about desert completely. The saguaros are so huge. I really like their shapes. I wish I did some plein air there. The workshop went very well. I really appreciate the hard work of Li Mahalik and Sue Hunter for putting this workshop together. I made many new friends. Thank you very much for coming. This painting is my first demo at the workshop.

"Tangerine Ensemble" --- Sold

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I interrupted my research on white colors and come back to my usual way of painting for my today's post. The R&D will keep going, and I will keep you posted. In about an hour, I will be on my way to Phoenix AZ for my 2nd workshop teaching this year. I will let you know how it goes in my next post. See ya.

"White Study"

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Another paintingless week has passed solidly. I finally got some time because today is a holiday. I am continuing my research on colors of white objects. I have two lights for this still life: one warm and one cool. I think I am getting a little closer now to my goal. The table cloth still needs some work, but objects are not bad. Compared with my usual way using high chroma colors for the center of focus. This type of painting definitely makes a change. I will do more "white" paintings to achieve the ability of controlling the subtle changes in colors.

LOVE TO SONG

Today is the Valentine's Day, and the Chinese New Year as well. I want to devote my today's post to my beloved wife. Song and I met in high school. We married in Alabama. For 17 years, she has been on my side from the Deep South to New England, from California to Texas. We have gone through together the hardship of the first generation of immigrants. We have enjoyed every progress in our small family. When I feel blue, she cheers me up. When I lost, she is my best guide. When I feel tired, she is my Yoga teacher and acupuncturist. Without her help and support, I can't imagine my art can be successful. Many of you have met her in my workshops and shows. Recently she starts to organize workshops. English language and computer operation are big challenges for her, but she works very hard and progressed wonderfully. I feel I am very fortunate and grateful for being with her. The art I share with you today is a pastel portrait of my dear wife I did many years ago, and I want to say: Song, I love you forever!

"Solid Imagination 2" --- Sold

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Yes. It is the same white cup. As many of you following my blog, I consider myself a beginner painter. I need to learn a lot to improve my art. I don't meant to bore you, but I really need to study my colors on white objects. It shouldn't be very hard, but I am not there yet. I will work and work until that "Aha" effect clicks.

Across both fields of art and science. I sensed the major difference on the way people communicate. Scientists are very sensitive on words. They define their vocabularies precisely. The invented mathematics to extend their logic and make sure their statements are quantitatively measurable. They set up conventions to make sure their discussion on the common bases. They exchange ideas in massive amount of conferences and symposiums. They try to avoid "reinvent the wheel". However, in art, at least from my limited observation, the communication is rather nebulous. Many masters claimed that art can not be talked about and can not be analyzed. We are pretty much on our own. We have to "invent our own wheels" on the individual bases. Our rules are made to be broken. I heard cases that some art teachers bring students to the paint-out spot and disappeared. Some art school teachers hide themselves from their students. Maybe I am naive, but I still think art can be taught and learned.

"Demo at Sacramento 2" --- Sold

This is my second demo painting at Sacramento. Painting roses is rather tricky. You can't overwork on them. Make sure very brush stroke counters. Observe more and paint less. I hope all the workshop attendees have learned some and achieved some improvement on your art.

Time goes really fast. My second workshop is coming up in less than two weeks. I will go to Phoenix, AR. I think we still have a couple of spots available. If you are interested in attending this one, please contact Sue Hunter at: suehunter7@cox.net.

New Workshop Announcement

Painting by Zhaoming Wu

When I was in California a couple of days ago, I visited my friend and teacher Zhaoming Wu. To many of you, Zhaoming is not a stranger. His incredible portrait and figurative work have made him very famous. You can see his marvelous paintings and drawing at: http://www.zhaomingwu.com/. Currently, Zhaoming is a full time professor teaching graduate students at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Not everybody has the immediate opportunity to study from him at the university. However, I do have good news for you: Zhaoming Wu is going to teach a 8-day workshop this August in Corciano, Italy. Following is the workshop announcement from Zhaoming:

After several years of receiving requests for workshops, I am pleased to announce in August 2010 a painting workshop held in the beautiful country of Italy. It will be a 12 day event with 8 days of painting instruction. Please see brochure for more details. If you would like more information regarding this workshop including costs, itinerary, and registration details, please email Jason Bowen – Italy Workshop Director at jasonbowenart@att.net. You may also contact Jason directly by phone at 925-323-0664 for specific questions that you may have regarding the workshop.

"Demo at Sacramento 1" --- Sold

Last weekend I taught a 3-day workshop at the Capital Art Center in Sacramento. I want really thank Patris Miller for organizing it. It was a wonderful three days. I enjoyed so much meeting old and new friends. This one is my first demo painting.

I came back last night and found there are many things need to be taken care of right away. I may not be able to paint for a while. Many of you have found that my website was down. I have figured out the problem and just fixed it. The response of Calvin Liang's workshop is phenomenal. We have got many more than 15 people in a very short time. Song is communicating with Calvin to see if he can give two in a row. Even with two, we will still have to put many people on the waiting list. Without any rest, I came to work this morning and ran into the rat race immediately. I think my humpty dumpty is falling. I am trying my best to call all the kings horses come a little earlier.

"Bottle and Grapes" --- Sold

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I am on my way to Sacramento, CA to teach my first workshop of 2010. I usually I go to northern CA every spring attending the Photonics West International Conference and Trade Show at the Silicon Valley, But this trip is purely for art. It feels so different. I will be back to Austin next Tuesday. Any sold paintings will be shipped after I come back. I will also let you know what happening on the west coast.

New Workshop Announcement

Painting by Calvin Liang

My experiences in painting have told me that having good art teachers is crucially important, especially for beginner artists. In order to promote high quality art education in the central Texas area, my wife and I decide to start a new endeavor in art. We will invite artists selectively coming to Austin to give workshops. I am very happy to announce that the well-known California artist Calvin Liang will give our first invitational workshop. He will teach a 5-day plein air landscape painting workshop on October 25 – 29, 2010. If you are interested in learning from Calvin, please check the workshop flyer. This workshop has been limited to 15 students. Please contact Yuehong Song at yuehongsong188@yahoo.com for detailed information and registration. Thanks so much for your attention.

"Blue Monday" --- Sold

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I got so many feedbacks on my white cup painting. I wish I could reply all your kind emails and comments personally. Thank you all very very much. I will practice what I learned from you and report to you in the near future. At this moment, I just want to share one thing that I have learned. The major reason I did not see much colors on my white cup was my light. I am using a color corrected spot light. The light was so concentrated on the object and environment surrounding it was in dark, so I did not have different colored light reflected into the cup. This friend suggested I should look at my object under daylight, and I did. It was strikingly difference. Now I got some idea to improve my illumination, and I will demonstrate to you later.

I named my today's painting "Blue Monday" maybe not very relevant. It reflects more my mood today rather than the painting. I am a little blue today, but it is all right. Life goes on and more paintings will come out.

"Solid Imagination" --- Sold

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Painting color from a non-colored object has been a big challenge to me. I have tried and tried many times painting a white cup, but I don't think I have got it. This one is another try. I stared at this stupid cup for about two hours, and I really did not see much colors from it. But I don't want to do another value painting any more. So you see quite a few colorful grays on the cup. Those are colors in my mind. I will keep trying until I figure out how the color of grays are formed on a neutral color object. If you know the trick or you know some one is good at it, please help me out.

"In a Cool Spot" --- Sold

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Using temperature contrast to enhance the colors at the center of focus is an effective method to make the painting looks more colorful.

"Round and Square" --- Sold

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I love holidays. This long weekend makes it possible for me to paint daily. Many people asked me: how can you do so many things? You work full-time; have a family, and you still have time painting, teaching workshops, and managing an art business. Be honest to you, I CAN'T, but I try my best to use every fragment of time possible. At my day job, I do not go out for lunch, so I have some time to check emails and posting on my blog. I hardly watch any TV, and use my evening as much as possible. Weekends are luxurious. I really enjoy being a full time artist for a day or two. I am not ambitious and let thing happen naturally. Do I recommend my life style to others? Actually, NO. This fast paced modern life is very unhealthy. Life should be more relaxed, having more time for leisure. I am having this fast-food kind of life now in order to have the opposite in the future. So wish me luck.

"Beauty of Simplicity" --- Sold

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Another week without painting passed by solidly. I was rat racing in the labs in Texas and New Jersey. Perhaps my boss has found my negative words in my earlier posts toward corporate culture, and planned to punish me deliberately. I was given a work load so unrealistic that I will fail for sure and look bad. 3000 feet above sea level, among IPhone fumblers and laptop gazers, I opened "The Good Life" by Helen and Scott Nearing. A glare of the Sun was reflected to my eyes from a tiny speck of water surface down there. Maybe it was from the "Walden Pond". Men! the picture I was in was absolutely surreal. People have to be crazy to be normal....... I forced myself and did this small painting late Friday night.

"Orange Crystals" --- Sold

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Can you believe it? I didn't get a chance to touch my brushes for an entire week. Art can be killed just like that. I was so busy tweaking optics in my lab that I even have no time to check my emails during the day. If you are more lucky than I am, please help me to paint more. If you think you could wait till tomorrow to paint, please pick your brush today. We are obligated to make this world more beautiful. Finally on Sunday afternoon, I did this small painting. I am still in the mode of doing low key paintings. I was testing of using translucent light as my center of focus. I think it works well.

"Sweet Mirage"

Now the holiday season is over. I am back to my cubicle babbling technical jargons. This is the last painting I did from my holiday break. It will be sent to a gallery show. I keep the background rough deliberately. Do you like it? My paintings recently are kind of tight. I am going back and forth, looking for my balance point. Sometimes, tight paintings are good, but I prefer looser styles.

"Quiet Festivity"

Happy 2010! I opened my mailbox this morning and very excited to see a certificate from the Oil Painters of America. It is my OPA signature membership. Now I am allowed to put OPA after my name. What a wonderful new year gift I received. This is an import milestone. I did this gallery painting on the first day of the new year. I might send this one to this year's OPA national show.