I  just listened to a good 2-part summary of the work of Joseph Needham from the China History Podcast: part 1, part 2.
His mammoth book describes the many scientific and engineering achievements of China, from the four great inventions to the stirrup!

I had not realised that he was instrumental in founding the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding : the SACU website has interesting articles and videos.
I am now keen to read more, such as Bomb, Book and Compass (know as the The Man Who Loved China in USA)by Simon Winchester (I enjoyed The Surgeon of Crowthorne years ago).  Not sure if I will manage all the volumes of Science and Civilization in China!

There are several interviews with Simon Winchester on the internet.
BBC In Our time on the Needham Question.
10 Inventions in the Han.

Painting wisteria, really trying to capture the winding vines.

I am working on paintings inspired by Bai Juyi’s poem Western Wind.  I was lead to the Arthur Waley translation by Ralph Kiggell‘s hand-printed book Leading the Cranes Home.

I painted the japonica and lantern in my garden.

I love painting still life.  The inscription on the teapot says “if the song is too highbrow, no-one will sing along”.  The excellent Chinese Sayings Podcast explains the meaning.

 

A few more objects:

Also carved a seal, first one for some time, so quite pleased with it.

Quite interesting information on seals.

I learnt a lot at the zoom Life Drawing class with the lovely Caroline Deane.  Here is my progress over 5 classes:

I demonstrated how to paint cock and hen recently.  I enjoy exploring different techniques for the same composition.

Calligraphy and seals need to be added.

Also working on still life composition – not right yet – and calligraphy practice.

The calligraphy is a poem by Huang Binhong: Wei and Meng’s five-character poems make a clear chant; Jin and Tang eight methods become calligraphy

As 2020 is the Year of the Rodent, mice have invaded my Christmas cards.

I have been practising trees by copying from the Mustard Seed Garden Manual.

 

This is a pine painted from life in the Yellow Mountains.  It is a bit blurred looking because it was raining heavily!

Practicing 3 different types of pine needles.