My father says I cried for three days after I was born; he called me Jing, meaning peace and quiet, hoping that my life would reflect his wishes for me. The theme of peace and harmony has since become a major focus of my work. In my recent paintings, I continue to explore this theme, using motifs from the natural world.

In my several years of studying fine art in Shanghai, I learned that traditional Chinese painting seldom follows scientific perspective or provides realistic portrayals, but rather gives the artist the freedom to follow subjective feelings. In Canada, where I have lived for seven years, I have been able to fully integrate my feelings for my new surroundings with my technical skills.

Perhaps inspired by the winter season, my palette, in acrylic and oil, has lately moved to the cooler end of the spectrum, with blues and grays complementing deeper tones of my customary warm yellows and reds.
 

Zest 3
 36" x 48", Acrylic
 

|  Jing's Gallery  |

My most recent abstractions echo the natural world within the framework of peace and harmony. I approach each painting by blending the lifelike and the unlifelike in these works, which reflect my love of theOntario countryside I often explore and photograph. I try to use my own language, derived from my training in traditional Western painting as well as Chinese ink painting, to create a space that is an artistic conception based in nature.

Some people ask me why I have such different approaches from one painting to another. Well, I feel nothing can limit me; but also, I have to face the truth within the motif. The subject is like a bridge. It could be a landscape, people, or just colour. But some things remain the same: positive, happy, cheerful, surprising, and fantastic.

I hope life is just like that.