Kansas Nature​

 

This is a Kansas nature inspired work. Since 2004, I have enjoyed living in my adopted mid-west home and fell in love with the rolling hills and the open space. My works started taking on a more dynamic flow, integrating my long hair with Kansas environments such as the iconic tornados, prairie grass and flint-hills.

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Basic information on Chinese ink Painting​

 

This body of work is done in Chinese fine style ink painting on rice paper or on Italian fabric.  There are two basic styles of Chinese ink painting, Free and Fine Style.  Fine Style is different from the free style ink painting. It is very detailed and time-consuming process comparing to the fast and spontaneous free style ink painting. Both styles require years of training and the deep understanding of the making process, especially for fine style.

 

I spent four years studying Chinese ink painting at Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.  Moreover, both my parents taught and practiced fine style ink painting, and they had a strong influence on me at a young age. 

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The Chinese fine style painting process is very precise. Working with ink on rice paper is unforgiving and no mistakes can be made. Therefore, understanding the medium and following each step is crucial. Below are step by step making process.

 

1. Making a detailed pencil sketch first

2. Transferring the sketch onto rice paper

3. Outlining the image in ink with tiny brush

4. Applying ink from lighter to darker through 6-8 layers

5. Waiting for drying time in between each layer

6. Adding mineral colors first and herb colors second

7. Mounting the work as the final part of the process.