ABOVE THE CLOUDS

I've decided to try the Portland Open Studios again this year and try my luck again. Above The Clouds is one of the entries I submitted for jury. The subject matter and technique is quite traditional Chinese Xueyi Landscape, using the wet wash method for clouds. One thing to note is the choice of color in this painting. I've conveyed a fossil-ed feel to the rock columns to show the hardness of the masses. This is done to offset the relative lack of "chuen" (meaning rubbing, usually to impart texture) on some surfaces. I've used a little titanium with the opaque greens to make the trees really stand out, to contrast with the hard landscape. I've also positioned the gazebo on the lower peak on purpose. The upper peak had steps along the flank of the hill, but leads to no obvious structure, unlike the hill on the bottom, where the serpentine trail leads to the gazebo. Perhaps the vista on the top hill is obscured ????

How "Splash" was created

As discussed in the last posting, I am experimenting with my techniques/methods. I am trying to describe water sprays/splashes when it hits a rock, a boulder. I am trying not to attenuate the energy of that flow. So I employed my own SECRET ANCIENT CHINESE recipe of a masking fluid and delivered it onto the paper in a controlled and deliberate fashion. Now I can fill in the background, first with light tones to define the splash, then gradually building up the peripheral barriers to the water. This was a challenging and yet fun project, it all started when a classmate of mine and I were small talking about masking fluids, and whether Chinese Brush Paintings utilize it or not.

SPLASH

The Beaverton Arts Commission had an open call for artists to submit their works for an exhibition at the Beaverton Library. I had submitted 4 pieces and this is the only one accepted.



This was indeed a new experience for me. I was experimenting with the style and technique of my art work.



The style is kind of abstract.... it is Xueye ( paint with feeling, thought) for sure and the technique is to paint around the voids. I was experimenting with my own concoction of a masking solution. I settled with alum and milk. The painting was created with controlled flicks of the masking solution on Xuan paper. I then painted around the splashing, forming my water and rock and boulder. Title of the piece is called "SPLASH" and I am quite happy with the impression of movement, and a palpable sense of energy. I am especially gratified that I could still paint the rock and boulders using traditional Chinese technique. I feel that I have amalgamated pretty nicely the East with the West.