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.

 

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

Quite interesting information on seals.

Finally managed a bit of calligraphy practice.  I enjoyed this seal script.  This phrase says A Dragon leaping at the Gate of Heaven, a Tiger crouching at the Phoenix Tower.  It was used by Emperor Wu of Liang to describe the skill of the acknowledged Sage of Calligraphy, Wang Xizhi.

I am enjoying live Zoom Chinese Culture seminars with Madison Plantier.
We’ve explored Chinese poetry, learnt the right way to prepare tea, and drooled over the Eight Great Cuisines!  And there is lots more to learn about.
Madison was a guide on the trip to China that I did last year (including Suzhou, Hongcun, and good food).  She has a wide knowledge of Chinese history and customs.

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!