The year of the Rat certainly is a strange one to say the least. I honestly thought I was going to push at least a couple more pins to my world atlas on the cork board to remind myself where I had been, in case my gray matter continues to shrink. I almost bought my fares for travelling, fortunately procrastination saved my bacon.
Obviously I have ample opportunity to reflect on places where I had left my footprints; especially poignant when I am not allowed to venture too far these days due to the pandemic. I don't want to be embroiled in today's issues but being a septuagenarian I can't help but reflect on my experiences here and abroad, both good and bad; privileged and not so privileged. I recall the early days of becoming a pharmacist, as a member of the most trustworthy profession who happens to be of a minority race here. Oh, so dichotomous! I remember asking my colleagues what gook meant, since some of the people I served addressed me by that name and I've not had the good fortune of learning that word when I was studying English in Hong Kong.
What I was reflecting on these past few weeks was actually something more tranquil, a waterfowl refuge. I used to frequent this sanctuary quite often before I hung up my white smock for good since it was not too far from my place of employment. I used to go there to relax and forget about filling prescriptions.
I shall attempt to put my thoughts on Xuan.
I wanted to portray a levy in this refuge, and the reflection of this levy in the water of course. I wrestled with myself a little bit as where to locate the levy. Ideally it would be right smack in the middle of the paper so I could devote the same amount of attention to the reflection in the water, but I remembered being told that this would be bad composition. I decided on a compromise; levy bisecting the paper, but with a little footbridge access on one side to break the line up.
I folded my un-sized Xuan into halves, and I would paint my levy on the crease line.
The color looks more saturated when wet but dries to a much lighter value. This is especially true when painting with Xuan.
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