Blog

Last August I said I was going on a journey East, to live in China. After a short summer break, 

Summer  plein air painting in the States:

                                      Lake Russell Cove, oil                                                Lake Russell Reflections, oil      

I'm back in Chongqing, China's largest city-- 34 million people. What has it done to my painting? Made me appreciate light and plein air painting more than ever. 

                                      Ambitions Below the Real, oil                                    Reflections in Chongqing, oil

I'm finding that in all my experienes here, one  great sense of freedom comes from standing before a canvas and an open landscape.  Much of my responsibility here is confining-- a set schedule, a confined space in which to do my work, a constant summons to press against the boundaries of my ignorance of language and culture and the crowds everywhere. 

But I cannot paint and worry about my inept language skills or social ignorance. I cannot paint and fret over the "plans that cannot keep up with changes" here.  When I am painting, all focus goes to shape, form, value, color, stroke, texture---and I am lost in the wonder of God's creation.  I'm lifted beyond East or West by the beauty that I strive intently to  capture with eye and hand. 

Such intense observation opens a sky hole of light into the enigma of China.  I'm seeing place and people with new eyes.  I'm thankful for paint, brushes, canvas, light and eyes.