Standing Strong 挺拔

 This tree has been standing here in Ghost Ranch for many years.  It was featured in one of Georgia O'Keeffe's painting many years ago.  It has this artistic composition and attracted me to paint it.  While in Ghost Ranch I took tours to visit the landscape where Georgia O'Keeffe painted and also visited her home in Abique.  I was impressed with her vision of art and environment as a lady artist living in early 20th century.  On the way home we also visited her museum in Santa Fe to see the special exhibit of her paintings done in Lake George of NY before her time in New Mexico.  It was a fabulous exhibit.  I am so glad I got to see the original paintings of this amazing and unique artist. 

Oil on linen canvas board, 10x8

Fleeting Lights 飛逝的朝陽

 A group of us (15 artists) under Angie Banta Brown spent a week in Ghost Ranch (near Santa Fe, NM) to do paintings (oil, watercolor, or pastel) in late October, 2013.  This was my first visit to Ghost Ranch.  I've totally enjoyed the beauty of this inspiring place and the time without much contact with the outside world (no TV, no phone, and limited internet).  It was just a wonderful retreat to purify my soul with the mountain, the fresh air, and the art.  I did this painting one early morning standing in the cold breeze outside the Art Center to capture the fleeting morning lights.  The beautiful lights and shadows were disappeared in about 30 minutes.  I sketched the composition and painted quickly to capture the feeling of the scenery.

The flat top mountain in the background is the famous Pedernall Mountain.  Georgia O'Keeffe painted it many times in her paintings and said that "If I painted the Pedernall enough God will give the mountain to me."  After she passed away her ashes were spread over the mountain top.

 Oil on canvas board, 8x10

After Snow 雪中靜思

 Even though I grew up in the warm climate I always love to see the snow scenery.  I like the quiet feeling the snow brings to me.  Holidays are around the corner that reminds me of a good snow day.  Let it snow.

Oil on canvas board, 8x10

Study of Edgar Payne

 Recently I studied the paintings from several masters.  When I saw this painting in the book "Edgar Payne - The Scenic Journey", I had to practice it.  Most of paintings in this book are landscape.  This still life caught my eyes - I love the warm colors with the blue vase.  Here is my study of it.  I changed out a few flowers and also the little green vase.  It was fun to do this study.

Oil on canvas board, 9x12

Ronin

 Ronin is my son's family dog.  He is very hyper and likes to jump on me whenever I visit them.  I tried to paint a several different backgrounds.  Here is the latest version I settled.

Oil on canvas, 20x16

Catch the wave

 I did this painting a while back.  Now I rebrushed it to make the water color with gradation and also add a few flying seagulls to make the picture more interesting. 

Oil on linen canvas board, 12x9

Play at Landa Park, take 2

 I rebrushed this painting to change the size of figures a little bit larger.  I like this version better.

Oil on canvas board, 9x12 (SOLD)

Mountain range at Zhang-Jia-Jie, China 張家界、天子山

A group of 8 of us took a tour to visit Zhang-Jia-Jie in Hunan, China in the spring 2013.  This national park has been named by United Nation as one of the natural heritage sites in the world.   This 7-day tour was filled with wonders to see the amazing scenery.  Wow, wow, wow, it is out of this world as you can see from my painting here.  A part of the movie "Avitar" was filmed in this mountain.  This was truly a life time experience for me to stand in front of the most beautiful mountain range as I felt like I was in a fairy tell.

Oil on canvas, 24 x 30

Play at Landa Park 河邊戲水

 Landa Park is located at the downtown of New Braunfels, Texas.  It has natural spring water flowing through the river.  Kids are playing by the river to feed the ducks or ride the peddle boat.  I love to go down there to have picnic with family and friends and also enjoy the mini train ride along the park and by the water.  It is a fun place to visit.

Oil on canvas board, 9x12

Have a Nice Day 過個好日子

Donna, Cheryl, and I got together in my house to celebrate Cheryl's birthday.  Donna brought a beautiful orchid plant for Cheryl and 2 batches of  fresh flowers for me.  We did the flower arrangement in a blue vase.  They looked beautiful and brightened my dining room for many days.  I couldn't resist to paint it,  Here is the painting in oil.  I know this painting is a good candidate to hang in a dining room.  As you sip the morning coffee the flowers will smile at you to wish for a nice day.   

Oil on canvas board, 12x9  Private Collection

(My sister Jinfen likes to have this painting in her new home.  She said this painting has colors representing the five elements in life.  It is a good one to hang in her house per Fong Shui.)

hun

Breezy 風吹花動

 These wild flowers were roadside surprises and blowing under the mild wind.  I did this painting with a different approach.  I painted the canvas in the dark and gradated backgroud first and let it dry for a day.  I then placed the flowers and green leaves on top. 

Oil on canvas board, 11x14

Dahlias Delight 大理花比美

 The strong light and shadow of this setting was calling for my attention for a painting.  So here is one result.  I am thinking I may need to punch up more lights on the left side of the dahlia.  No painting is finished until I am happy about it.

Oil on canvas board 11x14

Zachary 寶寶一歲了

 Zachary just turned one year old recently.  He is a joy in my life.  He has grown from a little precious baby to a little walking boy.  He loves to play "hide and seek" game with people.  He laughs when he finds you in the hiding.  Here he was eating his favorite "goldfish" crackers under the warm and sunning light.  

Oil on canvas, 20x16

Night Falls at the River 河邊夜色

December in San Antonio Riverwalk is magical.  The river was decorated in beautiful Christmas lights.  People are dining in the outdoor cafes by the river.  Christmas music is in the air.   Tourists are riding boats along the river.  It is a wonderful time to visit here throughout the year.

Oil on canvas board, 8x10

San Antonio Riverwalk 聖安東尼河邊

 San Antonio Riverwalk is one of my favorite places to paint.  It presents so much charm and colors.  This is the view across the river from the Ameson Theater. 

Oil on canvas board, 11x14

Blue Scarf 藍色絲帶

I have spent more time in painting people recently.  It is fun to do and also very challenging.  I wanted to make sure I got the likeness of my model as well as presented with artistic harmony in colors, shapes, and composition in each of my painting.  I've painted Lindsay several times in different settings.  I know I will do more of her in the future.

Oil on linen canvas, 16x12

Ms. Blondie 金髮女郎

 Here is Michell after my final touch of the painting.  It has been  fun to paint Michell from live and finish up the painting in my studio with a reference photo.  Her blond hair really complements well with her blue eyes and blue dress.

Oil on canvas board, 12x9

Michell

 Michell was the model this week in our live painting session.  Her beautiful curly hair adds an interesting element in my painting.  This one is my quick sketch in oil.  I still need to work on it more to improve the painting quality and present  the beauty of Michell.  Here she is standing by my painting. 

Oil on canvas board, 12x9