I am still enjoying my Chinese watercolor lessons. I started in September, and I am quite amazed at how far I’ve come. I realize that I’m far from excellent by Chinese standards, but I find the activity very invigorating, and I am usually pleased with my end results. That’s enough for me.
Besides, my teacher is a fabulous instructor. She teaches me so much more than just painting. I love it when she shares stories about her own life. Through them, I’ve gained a deeper understanding for modern Chinese history.
a blooming peony
My classmate (a 60+ year old grandmother of a 10 year old) often criticizes various aspects of my work. (That’s just a Chinese thing to do, I’ve learned, to criticize and focus on flaws. So I don’t take it too personally anymore.) She just laughs and shakes her head with amazement when I say, “But I like that part.” or “But I like it like that.”
If I agree with her criticism, I do admit it, but sometimes beauty is simply in the eye of the beholder. And I can be pleased with my work even if no one else is.
peony in full bloom
I really like my latest peonies, below. I don’t like the narcissus on the side, to be honest, but my teacher said I had to add it. So I obeyed. (I just visually block it out when I look at the painting.)
peonies in vase
I told her and my classmate I didn’t like the narcissus. They asked, “Why? You painted it well.” I told them that I like how I painted it, I would just prefer to have nothing there. Then I got an explanation of more principles of Chinese painting. No matter how much I learn about the rules, there’s still something inside me that has its own idea of what looks good or not. Whatever that thing is inside me, it’s really hard to change. But I’m being “good.” I listen dutifully and try hard to appreciate things from the perspective of the rules.
That same thing inside me also says that these paint plates (palettes) are works of art in themselves. I love looking at them. Each day they are different and strike me in different ways.
paint plates
What do you think?
Do you have a unique sense of style that others just don’t “get?” Do you create for yourself and not care about the criticism of others?
Do you think the plates are beautiful? Or am I just weird?:-)
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Hi, I'm Jimmie, and this is my online collage -- a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but mostly homeschooling with a loosely Charlotte Mason style. You're welcome to poke around and leave a comment if you desire. 
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
You are not weird – those plates are beautiful.
The narcissus simply shouldn’t be there. It’s like putting a mustache on the mona lisa. Might be an absolutely perfectly painted mustache – but it would be much better elsewhere. I can understand why you try to block it out.
You are a better person than I. I’d get just a bit annoyed with the focusing on flaws and people telling me what to do. OTOH, your gentle attitude has enabled you to learn the good because you let the irritating go in one ear and out the other.
I LOVE your paintings!!
Looking at your creations makes me long to go find myself a “master” to learn from.
Lovely paintings. Indeed, the plates are wonderful. Lots of painters keep their pallets, you should do the same.
Jimmie, those peonies are simply stunning!!! You are very talented.
) I do agree that the narcissus look completely out of place. Not sure what that is about, but the main picture is amazing! Well done – Deedee
Your painting is really coming along….I love that you are able to take this time to pursue your interest with such zeal. Great example to Sprite and for us all.
I agree about the narcissus….just doesn’t work there.
I am a lot like you when it comes to knowing what I like and what I don’t like in my own artistic creations. I often scrapbook with a group of my sisters friends who are very “creative” people. They use fancy, fancy things to embellish their pages. My pages on the other hand are very simple and I think fit my personality. I let the photos be the focus and not the decoration. Whenever I let them talk me into doing a page their way, I am not happy with it and it doesn’t feel like me. There is nothing wrong with the page but it is not my style.
I think that is the meaning of style. It fits you and your taste and you don’t care what others think. Go ahead Jimmie, have your own style! I like people with style.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
.-= Barb-Harmony Art Mom´s last blog ..Winter Birds – So Lovely =-.
Beautiful, Jimmie. The soft lines of the peonies and the leaves are wonderful but, as you say, do contrast too harshly with the stiff lines of the narcissus. I even prefer the peonies floating in the middle without the vase. I hope you are making your own creations outside of class with your own perspective. As always, it is inspirational to see your endeavors.
They are beautiful!!! I am glad you are enjoying it!
.-= Missy´s last blog ..Menu Plan =-.
Your paintings are delightful! Keep up the good work.
Blessings
Diane
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Willy Wonka =-.
I would have preferred the painting as you liked it, but I applaud you for following the rules! It sounds like there are many rules to follow in Chinese painting. I would have a hard time with the criticism, but it sounds like you are handling it very well.
It’s amazing how different the Chinese culture is from American! I remember when you posted that it was perfectly acceptable to call someone ‘fat’ or ‘old’ in that culture. It sounds like they are just much more blunt than we are.
.-= Dana´s last blog ..The Goose Club =-.
First comment– I agree with it all. The narcissus simply looks out of place. Painted well, but not necessary right there. Your peonies are amazing!!!
And you are not weird; the paint plates are beautiful.
Yes, I have my own sense of style, both with my home and my fashion sense. Sometimes the unsolicited “suggestions” (read: criticism) aggravates me or makes me question myself, but I am surrounded by amazingly supportive family and friends, and I can usually be myself without worrying much about it.
.-= Wendy @ Sun-Kissed Scholars´s last blog ..Happy Birthday to those I love =-.
You are not weird – I noticed the picture before I read your comments. Those plates represent almost more work than the finished painting – the choice of colors, the mixing, the loading of color, which brush used…. the painting is application and perspective; the plate -real work. Beautiful work, both of them. Was that your plate palette?
I love your painting! The peonies are beautiful. The narcissus is beautiful too, but the style doesn’t seem to fit w/ the peonies. I also think the paint plates are cool. That would be cool wall-art.
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..Imagine Christmas =-.
Peonies are my favorite flowers! I think you did a beautiful job on that painting, Jimmie. And the paint plates? Just seeing how the colors blend in the edges is a work of art to me.
I don’t care for the narcissus in the painting… the style of it with the bold black outline doesn’t seem to flow with the style of the peonies.
Focusing on flaws… My mom always did that while we were growing up. I always thought she was overly critical to me. But when she’d speak OF me to other people, she would always highly praise me. Maybe it’s an Asian culture thing too?
.-= Marsha´s last blog ..Layered Chicken Enchiladas =-.
Your paintings are beautiful, and I do think the plates are lovely too. Chinese watercolor painting is very difficult. You must be so proud of how far you have come! I hope they are not too harsh with the criticism. You have a gift!
.-= Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog´s last blog ..Gifts Kids Can Make — Chocolate Covered Pretzels =-.
Jimmie, your peonies are so lush and real….I want to touch them! And yes, I think they plates are beautiful, too; they look like fine china with a watercolor-like glaze.
I wondered if she takes the time to criticize you means that she thinks of you like a daughter?
Just beautiful Jimmie! I like to paint like this, but I don’t know what I’m doing…I just copy the style. I lived in Japan as a small child, so I think it was imprinted on me.
Great link about Chinese painting…I liked, “The child-like qualities of intuitive knowledge and great capacity were most valued.” Ah, the wonder of a child…sounds like a homeschooling genre to me! Well suited for this pursuit.
If you ask me you’ve got your “Ch’i” on!
Thanks for sharing.
.-= Alexandra´s last blog ..Pressure-Cooker Kindergarten =-.
Your painting is wonderful! I have NO artistic talent at.all. Not even stick figures. lol! But I love floral paintings and yours are very nice!
I also like the paint plates.
Keep up the great work!
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..TOS Review Mathletics =-.
Peonies are my favorite flower. It was our wedding flower. I think you did a fantastic job painting them and I’m sorry to say I think the narcissus ruins the whole painting. Guess I don’t get Chinese Watercolor principals either.
.-= Karin Katherine´s last blog ..Field Trip: Green Cay Farm =-.
HI Jimmie
I use acrylics. Sometimes I use a plate as a palette and when I peel off all the dried paint, it all comes off usually in one piece. When I was in art school, I used to wish I could make a painting that held all the dried pieces of paint. It was so unique. I was also a poor art student that hated seeing anything wasted. Wait, I’m still like that, even though I’m no longer that poor art student anymore.
.-= Mama Bear´s last blog ..IT’S LIKE CUTTING MY KIDS HAIR =-.
I agree, the narcissus is out of place. I’d don’t care for the vase either. But your painting is beautiful. Maybe you could cover the narcissus with white paint? Or you could take a photo of your painting and crop it out, blow it up and hang the print on your wall?
I love the paint plates too. I think I would take pictures of the most artistic ones and create a photo collage- combine two art forms.
Your painting is WONDERFUL! My mom can paint like you and I’ve always wished for her talent. Great job!
.-= Cindy´s last blog ..Christmas Train Ride =-.
Hi, this is Lawrance from Taiwan and I am a Taiwanese. I’m impressed that you’re able ti paint so beautifully! I can’t do that!
When I was senior high, my art teacher taught us how to paint bamboo, plum blossom, and mum. Well….my work were bad…..
I just can write the Chinese calligraphy. Anyway, your works make me wanna learn how to paint again!