Painting Intentions
There are several styles within Traditional Chinese Brushpainting that I find most intriguing. Styles of this ancient art form pay respect to the painter connecting with nature and energy; Qi. The artist is an extension of the brush and many traditional Chinese Brushpaintings are produced from studying and sensing landscapes and nature.
For example looking at a mountain and waterfall, the mountain conveys strength, the waterfall vitality and wealth. While you are in nature you give and receive energy (Qi/Chi) therefore the strength of the mountain and vitality of the waterfall connects with the nature within you. Blossom symbolizes good luck and happiness, vitality of life, endurance through hardship and hope as life regenerates. A painting with the intent of Qi can convey that energy component so that even by looking at the painting the observer feels an emotional or a sensorial reaction such as ‘attraction.’
Paintings with Qi intent are calculated and deliberate strokes. The subject matter, colour, movement and direction that the eye follows in the composition portray this. Often Westerners mistake this controlled aspect as lacking creativity rather than imparting purity and simplicity within the technique. The 'self' or 'Ego' is subdued while restraint and respect is reflected in the self-control of the painters’ intention. The intention being conveyed communicates with the viewer therefor an attraction is felt... or other emotions and feelings.
Feng Shui is a common subject of energy flow within homes, work spaces and landscapes. Landscape Design also originated from China. Aspects such as placement and subject matter are considered to enhance lives.
For example looking at a mountain and waterfall, the mountain conveys strength, the waterfall vitality and wealth. While you are in nature you give and receive energy (Qi/Chi) therefore the strength of the mountain and vitality of the waterfall connects with the nature within you. Blossom symbolizes good luck and happiness, vitality of life, endurance through hardship and hope as life regenerates. A painting with the intent of Qi can convey that energy component so that even by looking at the painting the observer feels an emotional or a sensorial reaction such as ‘attraction.’
Paintings with Qi intent are calculated and deliberate strokes. The subject matter, colour, movement and direction that the eye follows in the composition portray this. Often Westerners mistake this controlled aspect as lacking creativity rather than imparting purity and simplicity within the technique. The 'self' or 'Ego' is subdued while restraint and respect is reflected in the self-control of the painters’ intention. The intention being conveyed communicates with the viewer therefor an attraction is felt... or other emotions and feelings.
Feng Shui is a common subject of energy flow within homes, work spaces and landscapes. Landscape Design also originated from China. Aspects such as placement and subject matter are considered to enhance lives.
Lotus is very auspicious painting to hang in your house. It carries intentions of "happy and harmonious” and also symbolizes mental purity. Also seen as a Buddhist symbol as one of the Eight Treasures. To me Lotus symbolizes the purest and highest essence of love and peace. Fish & Lotus symbolizes “living in affluence" and "every year may you always get more than you wish for". In ancient China, the lotus represented the female and the fish the male, so this combination also implied the connection of male and female. Lotus and seed pod symbolize perfect marriage and prosperous family. Reeds with Lotus symbolize a successful career.
Fish represent prosperity, masculine Peony is an auspicious flower representing prosperity, happiness, and peace. It is hung in homes for good luck and in offices for prosperity and good fortune. It is a symbol of love, affection and feminine beauty. Trees on the left side painted for bringing wealth. Mountains symbolize strength and virtue, good health and long life. They demonstrate the pursuit of spirit and the philosophy of life of painters. Mountains reach up to the heavens so are good for the soul. Mountains and water are linked with Daoism philosophy and emphasizes harmony with the natural world. Waterfalls represent vitality and profits flowing in. A path on the left will lead prosperity to your home. A lake will increase wealth. Cranes are a symbol of longevity and incorruptibility. Chinese Pine and Crane together express the good wishes of longevity to old couples. It is symbolic of becoming an immortal as well in general. Water symbolizes soul and grace. Plum blossom is one of the most famous and popular flowers painted in Chinese paintings. The flowers are often a darker red colour. It signifies winter and the perpetual continuity and hardiness of life, it’s purity, strength and modesty. There is hope with the sign of the blossom each Spring. Plum blossom and Bamboo together represent man and wife. Plum blossom, Pine tree and Bamboo together are known as the ‘Friends of Winter’ symbolizing lasting friendship. Plum Blossom is sometimes referred to as ‘Five Blessings’ from the five petals of the flower. Petals symbolize happy, lucky, longevity, successful and peace. All blossoms symbolize good luck and happiness, vitality of life, endurance through hardship and hope as life regenerates. Cherry blossoms are often a paler pink or white. They symbolize pure and noble intentions and love and beauty. Bamboo Significance: The history of Chinese people planting and using bamboo can be traced back 7,000 years. Bamboo in Chinese culture has been valued down the ages for the contribution to the basic necessitates of life, it has been used for food, clothing, housing, transportation, music instruments and weapons. Su Dongpo, a famous writer of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), wrote in a poem; "I would rather eat no meat than live without bamboo." Bamboo symbolizes Summer. There are many interpretations of bamboo and all demonstrate a character of moral integrity, resistance, honour, modesty and loyalty. It is delicate and elegant in appearance but known for its strength, resilience, and longevity. Also flexibility, endurance, perseverance and integrity values as it bends in the strong wind but doesn’t break and returns to its upright position. Lily paintings in early times were hung in summer to ward off evil. Lily is a symbol of faithful love, fertility and immortality. A Lily painting may be given at a wedding or on a girls birthday. Persimmon represents everything is as you wish. The 4 Gentlemen, Bamboo, Plum, Chrysanthemum and Orchid, are the 4 plants that symbolize the four seasons. These four plants are what are learned by beginners and are often mastered over a lifetime.. They contain almost every stroke necessary to paint anything in a Chinese Brushpainting style. Orchid symbolizes Spring. It represents Love, modesty, purity, beauty, refinement, fertility, virtue and moral character. Orchids also represent wealth and fortune. Plum blossom symbolizes winter and the perpetual continuity and hardiness of life, it’s purity, strength and modesty. There is hope with the sign of the blossom each Spring. It represents happy, lucky, longevity, successful and peace. Bamboo symbolizes Summer. Bamboo demonstrates a character of moral integrity, resistance, honour, modesty and loyalty. It is delicate and elegant in appearance but known for its strength, resilience, and longevity, flexibility, endurance, perseverance and integrity. Chrysanthemum symbolizes Autumn with its golden colours and is a favourite Chinese flower. It represents nobility, elegance, moral strength and cheerfulness in the face of adversity. Golden Shower Tree (Cassia Fistulla) is a tree which flowers in Singapore late Spring and Summer. The branches, leaves and seeds are reported to be poisonous although In Ayurvedic medicine it is known as the 'Disease Killer'. The seedpod is a fascinating long and dark pea-pod shape as the plant is from the Fabaceae (Pea) family. It doesnt appear to have a Chinese meaning, but to me it is a symbol of Singapore and the aesthetic beauty, feeling of grandeur and majesty found in the trees in Singapore. It is Thailands National Flower and is a great air pollution controller so often seen as a street tree. Chickens are a valiant symbol since ancient times for it eats five poisonous creatures: centipede, poisonous snake, scorpion, toad, and spiders. A chicken painting promotes family tradition. The Chinese also attribute five virtues to the rooster. Its has a crown on its head, a mark of literary spirit; and claws on its feet, a token of its warlike disposition; it is courageous, protecting his hens. Peony and Rooster paintings symbolize the pleasure of a simple life as well as blessed with wealth and professional rank. Snow depicts the intent to convey purity and high moral principles. Landscapes convey the harmonious co-existence between humans and nature. Hydrangea represents sincerity, enduring grace and beauty, abundance and expressing gratefulness. It also associated with enlightenment. To me it embodies childlike adventure and fun, natures attractions and sense of awe reminding me of running through Grandmas garden looking for fairies. BLOG: Artwork, attractions and intentions |