This is part 2 of the Chinese Art Appreciation series. In this painting, I try to capture the sentiment as expressed by ancient artists when they painted summer sceneries. As before, I will refer to one of the more popular works written by Lin Yutang i.e. The Importance of Living, A Lyrical Philosophy.
While this is not exactly a summer painting, I try to depict the essential characteristics that will best describe this beautiful, luxuriant season (Yes, I know, I am doing this painting in my tropical backyard in a country that is currently bathing in alternating heat and flash thunderstorm - no thanks to global warming!).
Hua: flowery splendour. Summer reveals its true majesty in its trees, forests and best of all, its floral display. This is floral language without seeds, or without thought or substance. Indeed, this is what we call a 'Flowery Kingdom' season.
Hsiung: heroic, powerful and majestic, as in the majestic mountains. You know what, I can literally move those mighty mountains in my 18 by 24 inch canvas. In real life, though, the closest I get is to move flower pots!
Chuang: also means strong and powerful but the combination peichuang will take a different meaning which is 'tragic but strong'.
Ts'iao: steep, rugged and abrupt - as in steep mountain edges. Again, it can also be used in a literary manner as well. Have you come across people who are friendly and perhaps also gregarious who will abruptly act in a hostile manner in response to a trivial matter?
Hao (fang): unrestrained. In the words of Lin Yutang, 'a poet or writer writing with the full sweep and mastery of his powers is compared to a celestial horse galloping in the sky'.
Finally, there's not much difference between spring and summer as compared to autumn or winter. Both depict vitality(ling), a quality seen in paintings where mountains and rockeries are generously spaced out (as you would see in nature) to represent the spirit of aliveness, though empty!
To further emphasize this awe-inspiring season, I recently come acrosss a website dedicated to a Russian singer, who is apparently one of the 'founders' of Russian rock music. This song that is posted on the internet is one of the more beautiful ones that I've heard. Just listen to the song and see if you agree. Below are the lyrics:
Golden City
by Boris Grebenshchikov
Under the clear blue sky
A golden city lies
With crystal-clear gates
And a single star so bright.
There is a garden there
With flowers and herbs
And strange exotic animals
That no one's seen or heard.
With a majestic mane
There strolls a yellow lion,
An ox with deep blue eyes,
And an eagle so divine.
And in the sky of blue
A solitary star--
This star, my love, is you--
'Twas always what you are.
Whoever loves is loved,
Whoever's blessed is bright,
So let the star point the way
To that magic place tonight.
With a majestic mane
You'll be greeted by a lion,
An ox with deep blue eyes
And an eagle so divine.
