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

I Love You

 This is one of the paintings that will be exhibited in Asian Festival on Feb 16, 2013.  I did the painting while Weixue Su wrote in the Chinese calligraphy.  I believe someone has an eye on this one wanting to buy it.   

Acrylic, 8x10 

Art for Asian Festival 2013

 As a volunteer work I painted 32 paintings for the arts and crafts booth of Chinese Society of San Antonio.  A friend of mine, Weixue Su wrote in the Chinese calligraphy.  His brush strokes are beautiful.  We hope the "East meets the West" approach will introduce people in San Antonio another level of art enjoyment.  All these authentic original paintings are for sale as a fund raising for the organization.  Here are some samples of these paintings.  The Asian Festival will be held in the Institute of Texan Culture in downtown San Antonio on Saturday, Feb 16, 2013.  This annual event is to celebrate the Chinese New Year and is participated by many Asian organizations.

Acrylic paintings, 6x6, 12x6, 8x10

When Edison meets Edison 那是我嗎？

 Edison was wondering if this painting is him?  Michael asked me to paint a painting of their beloved dog, Edison, as a surprise Christmas present for his wife, Sara.  I certainly enjoyed this project and delivered the painting in late November.  Sara loves the painting so does Edison as he was sitting in front of it and wondering.   Merry Christmas and a blessing New Year to Sara, Michael, and Edison.

Oil on linen canvas board, 16x20, private collection

Stroll Along the River 河邊漫步

 Michael strolled with his dog, Edison, along the Guadalupe River.  This small painting gives you a nice feeling of "me and my dog".   

Oil on canvas, 6x4, private collection

After the Dance 步下舞台時

 She was a dancer in the Renaissance Festival that is held every year in Oct ~ Nov in Magnolia, Texas.  She just completed a beautiful dance and was walking away from the dance floor.  Don't you just love her colorful dress?  The festival was fun and offered lots of entertainment.  We were presently surprised about the delicious food offered in the festival.  We especially loved the baked "apple dumpling" in the Italian food section.  The only thing needs some "TLC" is the traffic to and from the Festival in Magnolia.  It took us 2 hours in and 2 hours out of there on a Sunday visit. 

Oil on canvas board, 12x9 SOLD

Along the Guadalupe River #3 瓜達陸河邊

 Here again I was painting along the Guadalupe River that is located in the hill country near New Braunfels, Texas.  This river is mostly famous for tubing in the summer.  It is a popular tourist destination during the hot weather.  There are many beautiful spots along the river that provide fabulous materials for artists to paint.  We plan to go again in the next couple of weeks when the cypress trees turn into the amazing autumn colors.  I did this painting in Kathryn Stats' workshop recently.  Kathryn gave me high remarks on this painting.  Enjoy the river!

This painting has been selected by New Braunfels Art League & Gallery as the art donation project in 2013.  An image copy of this painting will be given to local charity organizations, per requests, for their charity events.   I am delighted to be able to help out our community outreach program.

Oil on canvas board, 9x12

First Light 清晨陽光

 We were in Estates Park, Colorado to do plein air painting and rent a cute house by Mary's Lake Road.  We had a fabulous view from the big window in the living room.  Here was the view of our front yard while the morning sun was dancing through the trees and the rocks.

Oil on canvas board, 12x16 

Aspen Glow in the backyard 白楊秋色

 The autumn color of aspens is the best season of the year.  I always enjoy its amazing beauty and  love to include them on my canvases.  These aspen trees were in the backyard of a well known artist, Walt Gonske.  We were fortunate to have a plain air painting session in his lovely home and got to visit the artist.

Oil on canvas board, 9x12