Time after time, I have been wondering what I should be doing in this blog. First off, I have shortened the description of this blog to include only “oil paintings” and “Chinese culture“.

Ideas so broad and free from any restriction. More often than not, this blog has been about oil paintings and Chinese culture. The former idea is a challenge for me, since I’m not a painting artist.

How ordinary people appreciate painting art from their unlearned minds?

Oil paintings is my interest I hope to learn more from other great painting artists. I love fine arts, visual art and oil paintings. I will not be able to showcase my art work by blogging. Practically, not so able to gain a good chance of hands-on with oil on canvas.

Despite that limitation, I cannot rule out the possibility of learning digital paintings. It could be a new trend. I might want to try that to explore my creativity too. 

Presently, I’m learning to appreciate all sort of art form for its aesthetics and conceptual purpose. I’m doing my own study and research. Studying about art history from Renaissance art to Impressionism movement. As well as, modern art, like Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism.

Vincent van Gogh was the great Dutch post-impressionist painter. There are more to learn from his paintings. Claude Monet has great painting technique of alla prima, also refer as wet-on-wet painting.

Good example of Claude Monet famous artwork will be the series of water lilies paintings. Believe it or not, approximately 250 oil paintings by French Impressionist in his life span.

Naming a few famous artist of all time, Leonardo da Vinci, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Gustav Klimt, Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe and Paul Jackson Pollock. There are more to catch up!

Confucius, the great Chinese thinker and social philosopher who lived during 551 BC – 479 BC in China.

Most must have heard of the Confucius while traveling to East Asian countries such as China and Taiwan. Some may have read on topics covering in Chinese culture or visiting Confucius temples featured in travel books.

Interesting as this set of educational doctrinaire philosophies may be taught, it is not considered as a religion for one to worship relating spiritual matters.

Confucius is a system of ethics, it focus directly on human and social responsibility.

There are much to learn about Confucianism  and Confucius quotes to share.

Before writing more posts on Confucius topics, there are a few names commonly seen to identify the same person or teaching.

Use it as a reference to clearly explain the meaning, so that one will not be dazed and confused by the ethics, thoughts, philosophies in Confucianism.

1. Confucius ~ Latinised name of Chinese philosopher, who was later introduced to Europe by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci.
2. Confucianism ~ Not a name of person. Define as Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
3. Master Kong ~ Literally translate from Chinese character 孔夫子 (pronounce as Kong Fuzi, three syllabus). Sometime seen as K’ung-fu-tzu in written books.
4. Kong Fu Zi (孔夫子) ~ Same meaning as Master Kong. The middle name Fu (夫) is additional and may be omitted.
5. Kong Zi (孔子)~ Also as K’ung-tzu. Translate from “Master Kong”, or shortened name from 孔夫子. An identification upholding more respect from the real name described next.
6. Kong Qiu (孔丘)~ combination of surname Kong (孔) and given name Qiu (丘). The name used before honored as Master Kong or teacher, such as during academia period name used in classes.
7. Zhong Ni (仲尼) ~  is a courtesy name. A traditional Chinese practice for owning a ‘style name’ to signify adulthood and respect.

There are some other great names to identify Confucius, mostly in Chinese language. The above-mentioned names are widely used in books, academia or in spoken discussion.

As China modernize, the newer generation prefer contemporary than the ancient names. So if you have Chinese friends in school or at work, naming “Confucius“, “Kong Fu Zi” or “Kong Zi” is clearly understandable.

Have you dine in a Chinese restaurant selling Dim Sum dishes? It is commonly seen in Hong Kong and China, or perhaps the restaurants located in ‘Chinatown’ of New York city.

There are small dishes of steamed food placed in small wooden basket. Food serves in table usually has a pot of Chinese tea and few small cups made of fine porcelain.

The Chinese starts their Dim Sum meal from late morning till mid afternoon, before a game of mahjong or chess which comes next as a past time for the elderly members. Elderly folks who has retired, housewives, or wealthy ‘TaiTai” love Dim Sum. It’s their Chinese lifestyle.

It’s part of the Chinese culture where people gather in a round dinning table to social; sharing and chatting bit and pieces of daily topics that comes to their mind. This social activity remains unchanged for many years.

In Chinese culture, enjoying good food is as equally important as talking and listening attentively to people within the table. All other smaller gestures can be considered trivial, such as using chopsticks to pick their food.

One little gesture that may have seemingly unnoticed is their fingers tapping on table top when guest being served with Chinese tea. If one tap as if it is hammering, then this manner is obviously rude. Not necessarily it has to exaggerate and create tapping sound, however more specifically showing little brisk movement in discreet manner.

Finger Tapping in Chinese Restaurant, Chinese Culture

As part of the table etiquette in modern China, this body language is an expression of saying “Thank you for pouring tea into my cup” to a restaurant waiter.

On the lighter side, the indirect meaning could be telling waiters to walk away soon after pouring the tea and do not eavesdrop our latest gossip of the day.

Olden days in Southern China, this subtle movement may symbolized great honor and respect to an elderly master who serve tea to younger people.

To any one brought up by Western culture might say “Thank you” is the simplest verbal expression in table manners. But not in the Chinese way of saying, especially when people is in the midst of an intense discussion on possibly the ‘juiciest‘ scuttlebutt in the estate.

Well, busy chatting and listening attentively could be a way to keep one’s mind on alertness.

So how does it make sense by using fingers to tap on table top, and how it relate to the Chinese culture?

There has been no substantial proof to explain this. Nevertheless, Wikipedia does provide some sensible reasoning which date back to the Qing Dynasty. Below sharing an excepts:

“This custom is said to have originated in the Qing Dynasty when Emperor Qian Long would travel in disguise through the empire. Servants were told not to reveal their master’s identity. One day in a restaurant, the emperor, after pouring himself a cup of tea, filled a servant’s cup as well. To that servant it was a huge honour to have the emperor pour him a cup of tea. Out of reflex he wanted to kneel and express his thanks. He could not kneel and kowtow to the emperor since that would reveal the emperor’s identity so he bent his fingers on the table to express his gratitude and respect to the emperor.

The bent fingers for knocking are technically supposed to be three to signify a bowing servant. One is the head and the other two are the arms.” ~ Source: Wikipedia, Chinese Tea Culture

With this explanation,  you would never follow blindly with other Hong Kong’s elderly and friends to enjoy a sumptuous Dim Sum.

The art news came yesterday evening, broadcasting on television about a 4-Year-old girl who takes NYC art world by storm. And what has surprised me is not her art talent, but the sales that she received from 3 art paintings hanging at the Agora Gallery in Chelsea, New York. Artist named, Aelita Andre, an Australian toddler, has become famous overnight.

How much is her paintings received? Within a week, three buyers has already paid a ‘hefty’ sum of US$27,000. Naming it it contemporary abstracts, the paintings are some splatter work. With each art piece priced to about US$9,000. Frankly speaking, I don’t see the point of worth in her art valuation based on a few influence that are factual.

Firstly, both her parents are artists, whom has provided her a strong background and education to groom this toddler to be artistic. Secondly, she is only 4 years old. Expectation from most parents, with little girl of this tender age, will be hoping their child’s art work showcasing in an elementary school exhibition. But not for young artist, Aelita Andre, giving her solo show at the Agora Gallery in Chelsea, New York.

So what worth being paid for these 3 art paintings which, if you believe the hype, is the highest value in age versus art skill proportionality?

This is a totally absurd, as some may have thought. I’m not to criticizing on her artwork; I love art, and it isn’t dead, but its patrons are brain-dead. To add on to the art valuation received, it is no doubt more than enough to stock up 1 year of premium quality milk powder to nourished her creativity.

Unlike the Chinese, there is a proverb that goes ‘hit while the iron is hot’. Indeed, there are good at speculation, and it has proven in every art auction. Just look at recent Christie’s auction “Asian 20th Century & Contemporary Art (Evening Sale)” held in HongKong, less than 2 weeks ago. Most of the buyers and artists are from China.

The well-known Chinese contemporary artist, Zeng Fanzhi, with his featured paintings entitled “The Leopard“, has fetched a value of about US$4.7 million. And all proceeds will generously contribute to the non-profit organization The Nature Conservancy.

So as for her colorful paintings considered an artwork of child prodigy, with the help of speculation by the news media? Or maybe it turn out to have mutual benefits for both Agora Gallery in Chelsea and her future fame in the art industry? Has she paints like Picasso, or did Picasso paint like a 4-year-old?

source: NBC New York, 4-Year-Old Girl Takes NYC Art World By Storm

Water painting, as not many has heard of, differs from the commonly seen watercolor painting. This also known as Chinese Ink Paintings on Water.

Perhaps some may have know about the traditional Turkish painting technique of Ebru (also known as paper marbling in other cultures).

Or Suminagashi paintings, the ancient Japanese technique of painting on water to create marbleized effects on paper.
Last year, one of the Chinese artist from Shandong province, China, has created his own style of water paintings. He is no other than Huang ZhuLin, 黄珠琳.

Creating images with the use of colored ink as medium and flat-lying water as the ‘painting board’.

Below sharing two of his featured paintings.

Visiting an art gallery is more relaxing, as compared to listening to music repertoire in a concert hall. Soothing music is not that distracting to our ears, some audience may just fall asleep in the midst of listening. Some prefer to have it noisier and more energetic, such as trance or rock concert.

I play my musical instruments, and that is how sound is produced through this medium. Likewise, an artist uses his painting brushes to produce an artwork on a large canvas filled with vivid oil color. Medieval art, renaissance, baroque, impressionism and expressionism are art movements defined by the Western art; there are analogous with different genres in music.

‘Likings’ is the rudiment for every artist’s hope to achieve in an art exhibit with invited friends and guests. It is a simple gesture and compliments, beside trying hard to understand and breaking the ‘da Vinci’ code from the hanging art frame. Abstract art does not necessary have to translate into words.

Even famous quote from the great painter, Claude Monet, once said:

“People discuss my art and pretend to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it’s simply necessary to love.”

Here are a few reasons why visiting an art gallery is more relaxing, as compared to listening to music:

1. Viewers share and discuss about the oil painting art that is hanging on the wall, without the constraint to sit silently listening music in a concert hall.
2. Before an audience is able to listen to audio music, one need to take a step further to press the ‘play’ button. Visual art is mainly for the eye only.
3. Its healthier to keep our body moving and walking around in the art gallery. Listening is merely an exercise of your ears, while siting restlessly in a cushion chair.
4. There isn’t a need to pay a high entrance fee to view a masterpiece in an art museum; most displaying less than 3 meters from your naked eye. Conversly, one need a bionic eye to see the musician playing in a stage, with at least 15 meters away from the chair you are sitting.
5. Scan your paintings or take a snapshot with your iPhone, and upload it to Facebook. It is much faster and less tedious than recording music.
6. Your Mom will love your paintings, even she is busying cooking for your dinner. A glimpse of your mini Picasso’s art is what she have to do. Same support goes to your good friends who is an artist.

Today’s post will be short.

In about less than 2 weeks, one of the best oil paintings by Claude Monet will finalize the auctioned price at Christie’s. The paintings entitled, “Nymphéas” or Water Lilies, painted in 1906.

This set is just one out of the 250 oil paintings in his life time. Every artwork on the water lilies is rendered with rich colors, expressing his most accomplished skill in alla prima technique, aka “direct painting” or “wet on wet”.

Less of describing the paintings, but to learn more about art auction at Christie’s.

Estimated price is ($43,350,000 – $57,800,000). This magnificent artwork will be offered in the Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale in London on 23 June. What will be the price realized?

Nympheas, Water Lilies, Claude Monet, 1906, Oil Paintings, Auction

Master of Painting Art Forgery, Zhang Daqian, 张大千 (May 10, 1899 – April 2, 1983)

Most gifted painting master forgers of 20^th century. To say it lamely, he was a master of copycats in paintings. However, his artwork was well-respected, in term of painting skill.

Till today, many Chinese artists and painting amateurs have approached to his sought-after copying technique for learning art. Best example is oil painting reproductions.

To his exceptionally skillful technique, his forgeries are difficult to detect for many reasons.

1. Using only medium of Chinese ink, he has proven in many artwork of capable to imitate the great Chinese masters. His believes of emulating from great masters is presented as a necessary stage in artistic development.
2. His sharp-minded knowledge to the specific material he used. This is visible in his paintings writing in small Chinese characters, such as type of paper and ink.
3. He often forged paintings based on descriptions in catalogues of lost paintings; his forgeries came with ready-made provenance.

Back in 1956, a much-heralded summit between the Eastern and Western world of art masters; Zhang Daqian met Pablo Picasso in Antibes.

Both artists worked in different genres, but that have not deterred them from exchanging of artwork and culture.

Their profound influence and artistic genius have kept them united for common purpose in art.

I hope to source for some photos of his paintings on my next post. Below showing a video of Chang Dai-chien gesturing in a cypress.

Flickr: SFSU Fine Arts

His recent artwork was auction at Christie’s late May 2010. Paintings entitled: “Lady Scroll”, mounted and framed, ink on paper.

Price realized was ($35,591), approx 10% higher than estimated value of US$32,000. View here.

“Will the oil paintings look exactly the same as the picture posted in your store?”

A simple question. Yet, my reply can be paralyzed by how I should answer in a comprehensive manner.

To reply a single answer “Yes” or “No” is too straightforward. Basically, as good as showing ignorance and unimportance to the concern of potential buyers. Or by not replying will eventually turn away a new hope of success.

I have encountered quite frequently as an online seller. Usually, there are the new buyers who worry about receiving a poster print, instead of expecting an actual oil painting reproductions.

Now, I have just mentioned another word “reproduction”. To put it in my words relevant to this post, I would explain, “it is the process of generating duplicate copies from the original production”.

In oil paintings, a manufacturer can also reproduced into a poster print using press machines. To certain extend, there can even be mass produced.

So the foremost is to have an understanding of how to differentiate between a poster print and an oil painting reproduction? Below sharing some key factors to identify them.

1. Paintings done with oils require the colors mixed as the artists work & the colors are never the same, whereas, a poster print rely on the mix of color dye and the precision of the press machines.
2. A poster print will have perfectly smooth and lustrous surface, similar to a photograph. Oil paintings will show up some relief on texture, such as impasto paintings. You will see blobs of paint and the brush-strokes.
3. Prints are run on a press on different weights of paper and they can easily reproduce for mass quantity. Oil paintings require an artist to manually hand paint on the canvas, mass production will be too laborious.
4. Oil paintings, generally fetch a higher price, since it require a skilled artist to reproduce. Poster prints using press will rely on mechanical equipments to duplicate the product. The rate to produce prints are much faster than handmade oil paintings.

Back to the questions of “Will the oil paintings look exactly the same as the picture posted in your store?” With the common understandings listed, I will be able to answer more correctly.

Oil paintings will never be the same as a poster prints. However, experienced artists will try to reproduce as close as the picture posted in their online store.

A slight variant may be visible in contrast with the posted picture. This is typically true, and every online buyers should view and appreciate it as the creativity aspect from artists.

Do you view hand-painted oil painting reproduction as poster print?

Chopsticks has been widely used in Asia, and inherent in Chinese culture for more than 5000 years of long history. It an utensil so unique from western cutlery. An extensive amount of chopsticks skill is required in picking fish-balls, black olives, chicken drumlets, noodles, finger food and even porridge in a bowl.

I began to googled and thought of writing chopsticks related to Chinese food culture. To my surprise, most websites have already covered on this topic.

Interesting topics ranging from chopsticks history to different types of chopsticks from China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan. And from table etiquette in Chinese restaurant to videos showing how-to-use-chopsticks.

So, why not blog about what the types of food not possible to use by chopsticks?

Below are the 10 different types of foods commonly found in modern Eastern Asia, including Western food.

1. Soup of the day. From the Western’s recipient of tastiest pumpkin-mushroom soup, to the expensive Chinese delicacy of bird nest and shark fin’s soup. Always better to use a tablespoon, instead
2. Watermelon. Alright! You are so thirsty and craving for some fresh fruit in a hot-summer to quench your thirst. Using chopsticks will definitely get you more impatience to finish up a juicy slice. After all, its tastier with every refreshing bites.
3. Pizza. Beside slicing the pie with a roller-slice into quarters, what other table utensil can be used without using hand? It strange if pizza were to pick up by chopsticks.
4. A Big Mac or a Double Cheese Burger. Since when fast-food restaurant offer chopsticks for burgers? It would be tedious and painstaking to enjoy a meal like this.
5. Jelly, a soft sweet food made from fruit juice and gelatin. Unlike Chinese Tofu, jelly is more slippery and soft-bodied, which most youngster love to indulge in.
6. Grilled loin steak on a hot pan. Doesn’t matter if its half done, well done or boneless. It is still a big chuck of tender delicious piece of beef steak.
7. Half-boil eggs. No, I’m not referring to hard-boiled eggs. This kind of food is a traditional breakfast in Asia. Usually, served with toasted bread. Commonly seen in old coffee shops in central Laos and Malaysia. It looks soft and slimy. A few drops of soya sauce and a pinch of pepper will enhance the taste.
8. Ice-cream. It may take slightly more skill to pick up by chopsticks. However, it would not last long, if you are enjoying it under a hot weather. It melts!
9. Congee. As comparison with porridge, congee is much more watery and fairly viscous. Rice is boiled in many times its weight of water for a long time until the rice breaks down. In Chinese food culture, congee is eaten primarily as a breakfast food or late supper.
10. Mashed potato. Its a pasty food to Western food culture. I would recommend using a spoon is much appropriate than chopsticks.

Has any one use chopsticks for spaghetti? It does looks like the Chinese noodles though.

Colorful Sets Of Chinese Chopsticks From Hong Kong

Picture Source: jinn