Portfolio of Works

“Splash Ink with Watercolor” is a blend of Asian black ink and primary watercolors poured onto rice paper, letting the ink and colors merge and blend.  Blending the ink and watercolors produces an abstract image that can be variously interpreted.  Often the artist must look at the abstract form for a while to let the colors speak. These paintings resulted from the initial splashing of the ink and colors. Each was so beautiful by itself that nothing was added to the painting except the title.

Splash Ink with Watercolor differs from traditional Chinese painting. Splash Ink dates back to the Tang Dynasty when Shi Key added different ink tones to the traditional black ink. It continued to evolve with Chang Dai-Chien who introduced dynamic splashing for landscapes. This style of painting is done by pouring Asian black ink with primary transparent watercolors on mulberry rice paper. The colors emerge on the paper as the ink dries. The artist must look at the dried sheets and let the colors speak, then finish the painting using opaque or Chinese watercolors. This combination makes my paintings a contemporary blend of ancient and modern. It is about freedom, creativity and imagination - finding your inner spirit and letting it work for and through you. It is truly an “East meets West” concept.

Marbling Splash Ink is popular among Asian painters. Taiwanese painter Liu Kuo-Song is well known for this style. By adding a few drops of Asian ink into a tray of water and swirling, lines and shapes appear that may suggest images of any subject. The artist drops in rice paper, smooth side down, and quickly lifts up the paper with the ink pattern and lets the ink dry. If he is satisfied with the abstract form that may become the finished painting, otherwise he may add colors or finishing touches to the abstract form to create a painting of any kind.

Chinese Brush Painting is more than a representation of an object - it is also a symbolic expression. Rather than looking at the subject as he paints, the artist brings it forth from his mind and heart. Chinese brush painting is one of the oldest continuous artistic traditions in the world. The materials used in Chinese painting - brush and ink on paper and silk - have determined its character and development over thousands of years. Chinese paintings do not attempt to capture a representational appearance of a subject but, rather, its essential nature or character. Chinese paintings do not use  a single point of perspective - different areas of the painting may appear as if seen from different vantage points.

I started learning watercolor painting at the age of nine with my neighbor, Mr. Tsai, a local art teacher. He often took me hiking and painting in the jungles and mountains of southern Taiwan. After I discovered Splash Ink, I focused all of my attention on that style but I use my knowledge of watercolor in my splash ink painting  by adding vibrant watercolors. Mr. Tsai is now a well-known sculptor in Taiwan -  many national parks in Taiwan display his sculptures.