Along the River at Rocky Mountain, 山中溪水

The Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is one of my favorite places that I've visited many times.  Two years ago I had a painting trip with an artist friend, Myra Knapp.  I painted by this river in a smaller size of canvas as an on-location study and also took a few photos.  Then I printed it again recently in a larger size canvas in studio, as seen here.  It surly brings back the nice memory of the fresh air and serenity of this beautiful mountain range.

Oil on linen canvas board, 16x20, SOLD

Swirling, 舞者韻律

They were dancing in the Asian Festival in San Antonio on Feb 1, 2014.  I was watching the program, did a few quick shots and particularly loved this one with beautiful movements.  In order to capture the feeling of their swirling movements I painted the background with the curving shapes.  This Chinese dance group consists of about 12 or more ladies.  They performs different dances in Chinese New Year events every year.  Their costumes are always beautiful.  Many of them have a professional job.  They practice dances at the weekends or nights after their busy life in work and family.   I have enjoyed their performance each time.

Oil on canvas, 20x16  SOLD

Spring Arrives at Guadalupe River 河邊春色

Spring has arrived at the Guadalupe River.  The trees in vibrant greens bring shades and nice scenery along the river.   The fun of tubing is just about to begin when tourists from all over Texas are coming here to enjoy the cool summer on the river.  My sister Jinfen asked to have this painting for her new home.  She said the spring colors with the smoothly flowing river will bring blessings to her family according to Feng Shui. Well that is a good thing for home decor.

Oil on canvas board, 12x16, Private Collection

Along the Guadalupe River #5, 瓜達路泊河邊遊

The Guadalupe River in Texas offers many beautiful spots for tourist tubing as well as for artist to paint.  Here is another painting I did for this river in the area by River Road in New Braunfels, Texas.

Oil on canvas board, 12x16

A Hawaii Beauty, 夏威夷之花

I did this black and white study from a photo I took at Maui Plantation Farm.  Colors are wonderful but this blank and white painting really catches your eyes.  I gave this painting to my art patrons Sara and Michael.

Oil on paper, 5x7, private collection

In An Indian Market, 賣花布的印第安女郎

I met this girl in an Indian Market during our visit to Copper Canyon in Mexico.  She was there in the early morning breeze under the warm sun.  She was selling colorful printed clothes, pots and baskets with a guitar by her side.  I can't resistant to snap a beautiful shot and paint it.

Oil on canvas board, 12x16, SOLD

My Father, 老爸

Here is my dear father.  He was the one brought our family from China to Taiwan in 1950 during the hardship of Chinese civil war.  The journey we took to safely arrive in Taiwan was an amazing story that can be written in a book. We are grateful to grow up in Taiwan with peaceful growing years and good education.   He was a WWII veteran and a retired Lieutenant Colonel in Air Force.   When I was a young girl I thought my dad was a very handsome man especially in his Air Force uniform.  He taught us with Chinese values and disciplines.  He was definitely the general of the family.  We were raised under his military authority and disciplines.  He taught girls and boys with the same rules - be independent and fulfill the best in our life.  Under his teaching six of us siblings are doing well in our lives.

I have his photo in my house for many years.  I love this picture of him wearing a traditional Chinese blue robe and a scarf matching with his hat plus the strong light and shadow.  Finally I did an oil painting from it as shown here.  I love this painting very much and will bring it to my brother John during my next visit.

Oil on canvas board, 12x9, Private  Collection

Brother John, 錦江

Here is my older brother John (JinJiang).  He is the number one son and the most respected person in our Lee family.  He is a retired Air Force colonel and now runs a company in Taipei.  I appreciate him and his lovely wife Liyu taking care of my parents during their golden years until their passing.  He is a grandfather of two handsome grandsons.

Oil on canvas board, 12x9, private collection

JinHai 錦海

Here is my younger brother JinHai.  He is quite a character and an outstanding singer.  He is shy at times but he can be a totally different person on stage.  He has hosted many shows and entertaining programs for organizations and parties.  He is one of the kind in our family and often offers different opinions.  He has a lovely wife MingHui who adores him very much.

Oil on canvas board, 12x9, private collection

The Leader 一馬當先

2014 is the year of horse according to Chinese calendar.  I always love to paint horses and have done so many time.  This painting was done to celebrate the Year of Horse.  I wish all my family, friends, and my art viewers have a prosperous and successful new year.

Oil on canvas, 20x16

Purple Impression 紫色印象

This painting was done from a photo image taken by a fine photographer, Tom Bender.  Tom generously let me do an oil painting from his image as an art collaboration.   His image has the solid dark background.  I followed the general composition but changed out the background to show the light gradation.

Oil on canvas, 12x12, Private Collection

The Wash Day 洗衣日

When I saw these clothes lines in a fishing village in Venice, Italy, I knew I wanted to snap a picture for my painting reference.  The houses on this small island were painted in all different and bright colors.  It looks like a place from a fairytale.  We had fun visiting and had lunch on the island.

Oil on canvas board, 12x16, SOLD

Jin Yin 錦茵

 Here is my little sister Jin Yin.  I did this painting a while back.  After I painted the other 2 sisters I also made some modification to enhance the shadow area and the background.  I like this version better.  Here is her bathed under the sun with the ocean breeze in southern Taiwan.  She is a very intelligent and effective lady, has raised 2 outstanding sons.

Oil on canvas board, 9x12, Private Collection

Jin Fen 錦芬

Here is my sister Jin Fen.  I did this painting of her from a photo we took during our trip to east coastal Taiwan a couple of years ago.  I sent this painting image to her and she replied with emotion saying " This is the best gift to me.  You've painted me so beautiful, young, and elegant.  I love it very much with tears in my eyes."  I think I've captured a person with a very kind heart.

Oil on canvas board, 12x9 Private Collection

Jin Hua 錦華

Here is my sister Jin Hua.  She is a hard working mother and wife, a very outgoing person who can easily have conversation with people she meets.   I think I've captured her nice smile.    I hope to visit her soon and give this painting to her.

Oil on canvas board, 12x9,  Private Collection

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.)

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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