Aug 3, 2014

cm x cm (inches x inches) Chinese Ink on Thin Silk

This is my 909 Painting since 2003 and my 55thChinese Bai Mao, also, the 9th Painting since I completed the study in Chinese National Academy of Arts July 15, 2014.

I painted this painting first time at China Central Academy of Fine Arts May to June, 2011. As one of my Final Assignments at CAFA, it was Exhibited in the Final Exhibition at the Art Gallery of China Central Academy of Fine Arts on July 4, 2011.

That time, I worked on it for 18 days or 21 days. :-) But one of the reasons that I had to work on it for I could only sit on the chair and could not stand by a table or a drawing board to paint, also, I could only walk by attaching a wall at that time.

Even though that painting got good comments at the exhibition, July 4, 2011. I knew my professors and tutors wanted to encourage me. So, I have been wishing to paint a new one with the size 200% of the original one with my favourite longer lines. And I started it at Chinese National Academy of Arts July, 2012.

Since then, I have taken it from Beijing to Shenzhen, from Hong Kong to the US; then from Springfield, MO, USA to Beijing, to Shenzhen... Until I came back home 10 days ago, I could not truly sit down for 3 or 4 weeks to work on it with a totally peaceful heart in a totally quiet place. So that the silk has changed to be yellow and there are too many wrinkles on it...

Anyway, since I came back home, July 22, 2014, I felt I have had the heart and condition to work on it.

Many friends surprised for I did not rent my domicile to anyone else in the past 6 years, even though it would bring me a good income and cover the cost of my study and travels. I think, maybe just for it can bring me the most relaxed and most peaceful heart?

So, even though I knew I should have to work on my new book, DVD, music record and web site, still I wanted to give myself a freedom to enjoy my own life: To site down for few weeks, do not answer any phone calls, unless they are from my family members (the suddenly ring would tremble my hand and distory my lines); do not turn on the Television, unless I wish to listen to something funny and can bring me a smile... just enjoy the peaceful heart, comfortable environment ( in the singings of the birds and the light and wet sea wind ), quiet home and simple life, to work on my favorite job, to paint something I truly want to paint. Not for any business purpose, but for enjoying beautiful feelings and the process... :-)

Every morning, I start to work at about 5:30a.m. and each night work until I feel sleepy since now I need not worry to be locked in the teaching building in the night (I was locked in it 6 times 2011 - 2013) or its gate has not been opened in the early morning. I can work for about 15 hours with a quite relaxed and easily heart. Sometimes, I worked for about 18 hours, but my feeling was: I was playing the colors of black and white and the lines I most enjoy... :-)

Then, insensibly, this morning, when I wanted to take a photo for my new painting for you, I was so surprised that I had painted so long painting already : More than 300 cm (118.11 inches) already. :-)

For it is really too long to take a photo easily, just I would like to show you a short part of the painting that I have not completed yet and hope to bring you a big smile.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn, you can also publish your opinions on Message Board . :-)

--Shirley Yiping Zhang
August 3, 2014