Painting Gallery
Brushed Elegance — Original compositions are created with traditional natural-hair, bamboo-handled brushes, black ink and colored pigments on rice paper with red artist signature seal. Traditional rice paper ranging from white to buff, silk, illustration boards including metallics to add richness and drama to compositions are used. Giclée limited-edition prints are on matte paper, hand-signed and numbered. Custom artwork requests are always welcome!
'Wotter Baby' These clever aquatic acrobats are symbolic of creativity, fluidity and transitions. Otters are strongly linked to water, an element which offers healing properties. Kelp, growing deep beneath the surface, can be a metaphor for untapped inspiration. Shown here with Suminagashi, ancient ink marbling, the artist creates the patterns by floating ink in a pan of water and manipulating them, then transferring them to rice paper resulting in a decorative and dynamic element. Available as an artist-signed, limited-edition print.
'Ginger Tread' A tiger glances back between water and bamboo in this traditional ink and pigment work. An age-old symbol, the tiger embodies strength, power and courage and is a protector and guardian, especially of children. Bamboo represents longevity and water embodies resourcefulness and dedication. Part of a June 15 first floor pottery and painting display at Tysons Corner Center Mall.
‘Reef Keeper’ Classified as endangered, the aquatic green sea turtle has been living since the time of the dinosaurs, 120 million years ago. Thought to be a wise divine guardian with a lifespan of 1,000 years, the domed turtle shell is a symbol of heaven, with the underside representing Earth. Shown here with Suminagashi, ancient ink marbling, the artist creates the patterns by floating ink in a pan of water and manipulating them, then transferring them to rice paper resulting in a decorative and dynamic element. Available as an artist-signed, limited-edition print.
'Crab Quickstep' Crabs are longtime symbols of harmony and fertility. They are known as "iron-armored generals" in Chinese. Shown here with Suminagashi, ancient ink marbling, the artist creates the patterns by floating ink in a pan of water and manipulating them, then transferring them to rice paper resulting in a decorative and dynamic element. Available as a limited-edition print.
'Taste Buds' Pandas, symbols of perfection and balance with their black and white coats of yin and yang, snack beneath a canopy of bamboo and blossoms. Hardy bamboo stands for longevity and resilience while blossoms exude strength, as they open early, following Winter. The ‘tuanshan,’ or silk round fan, depicts the moon and is linked to happiness, union and heaven. Currently on exhibit at Reston Community Center Lake Anne. 500.
'Viney Glide' Ducklings paddle beneath blooming wisteria vine. Wisteria is said to embody being adventuresome, as it grows and spreads prolifically. Ducks represent prosperity. Currently on exhibit at Reston Community Center Lake Anne. 500.
'Peony Palate' First cultivated by Chinese emperors, the peony reflects imperial ties, known for wealth and power. This 'king of flowers,' in deep wine red and snowy white, is paired with the hummingbird, considered the trustworthy messengers of Spring. The tiny energetic bird has vivid red, the color of integrity and luck, on its throat. Available as an 11x14" artist-signed, limited-edition print.
‘Cold Consideration’ Squirrels represent longevity and resourcefulness. Their playful and acrobatic antics are captured with spontaneous brushstrokes of Chinese brush painter Tracie Griffith Tso in this snowy composition. The term for ‘squirrel’ literally translates into ‘pine mouse,’ associating them with the evergreen symbol of long life. Available as an artist-signed, limited-edition print.
'Family Portrait in Black and White' A panda family relaxes in a stand of longevity bamboo. Pandas embody perfection and balance with their coats of yin and yang in black and white. 24x36 700.
'Afternoon Dance' Ink on metallic illustration board. A pair of horses, dual symbols of strength and power, prance in the warm glow of afternoon light. 500.
'Shards of Sun'
'Vine Tasting'
'Fuzzy Content' A slumbering Siamese kitty cracks its sleepy eyes open. Siamese, known as "Moon Diamond" in native Thai, are known for their intelligence and unique characteristics. They are said to be descended from sacred temple cats that ward off evil and bring good luck. Available as an artist-signed 14x11" limited-edition print.
'Black Ice' A horse shows its unique spirit beneath a snowlit sky in this multi-stage composition. An ancient symbol of strength and power, horses were linked to military prowess. 550.
'Lotus Eater' A frog rests on a lotus leaf, an aquatic plant that embodies perfection with its immaculate flowers blooming from a muddy pond. Formed from the morning dew, the frog is a sign of prosperity and is said to communicate between this world and the next. 400.
'Ruddy Cuddler' A Red Panda or Firefox curls up for a nap beneath a bamboo canopy in this fine-line Gongbi and spontaneous brush composition. Known as ‘Firefox’ in China, the gentle ring-tailed Red Panda is a skilled tree climber and represents a patient, sensitive, independent soul. They are avid bamboo eaters, ingesting shoots and leaf tips. Their red wooly coats serve as habitat camouflage, blending with a fir-tree canopy covered with clumps of brown moss and white lichens. Available as an artist-signed, limited-edition print.
'VIP: Majestic Matriarch' Dedicated to Mei Xiang, who is currently mothering her fourth cub at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. Giant pandas frolic beneath branches of Spring bamboo and blossoms. Pandas embody balance and perfection as their black and white coats show both yin and yang energy. Bamboo is a longtime symbol of longevity, resilience and flexibility while blossoms represent strength and stability as they blooms early following Winter. Available as an artist-signed, limited-edition print.
'Smoky Sovereign' The dragon brings prosperity and blessings and is a richly powerful figure with a strong will and imperial lineage. Red is the color of good fortune and integrity. Ink marbled patterns provides complementary motion with a smoke-like backdrop. Artist-signed, limited edition print available.
'Sweetwater' The Chinese water buffalo is commonly portrayed in idyllic, pastoral settings and are linked to the simple life, leading to nirvana. Highly valued and critical to a farmer's success, they are associated with water, which embodies resourcefulness and dedication. The years of the ox are 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021. Artist-signed, limited edition prints available.
'Golden Motion' A pair of dragon-eye goldfish glide beneath lotuses in full bloom. Fish, a Chinese symbol of wealth and good fortune, are said to bring prosperity to a home and business. ‘Fu,’ the word for fish in Chinese, is a homophone for the term for money, linking the two auspiciously. Native to East Asia, goldfish were bred in China 1,000 years ago by selectively cultivating colorful mutated carp. First developed in the 1700s, the dragon eye fish has telescoped, protruding eyes and a fan tail. No one outside of the imperial family was allowed to keep yellow fish, imperial color. The lotus is a longtime symbol of purity and perfection and represents nirvana in Buddhism. Artist-signed, limited-edition print available.
'Mugging Pug' A personable pug is captured 'getting down' in a stretched downward dog. Pugs were originally bred in China during the Shang Dynasty (400 B.C.) and were kept by nobility. Confucius described the pug as a “short mouthed dog” that eventually became popular among Tibetan monks. Also called lion- or foo-dogs, they are brave guards, their effigies placed outside buildings and temples. The Dutch East India Company imported pugs to Europe in the16th century, spreading to France, Spain, England, Ireland and Scotland and finally to the U.S. in the 19th century. Recent dog years are 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 and 2030. Artist-signed, limited-edition print available.
'Cuddle Companions' Lit by a heavenly moon, rabbits, a symbol of loyalty and gentility, relax beneath a stand of bamboo. Bamboo represents longevity, resilience and flexibility. The years of the rabbit are 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023. Artist-signed, limited-edition print available.
'Moonlight Flight' Cicadas are a symbol of rebirth, hope and immortality. Their appearance signals a time of renewal, growth and positive transformation. They are associated with refinement, nobility and high status, as they climb loftily in treetops. Han dynasty jade cicada amulets represent resurrection with its unique cycle of life. Artist-signed, limited-edition print available for purchase on Etsy.
'Peony Palate' First cultivated by Chinese emperors, the peony reflects imperial ties, known for wealth and power. This 'king of flowers,' in deep wine red and snowy white, is paired with the hummingbird, considered the trustworthy messengers of Spring. The tiny energetic bird has vivid red, the color of integrity and luck, on its throat. Artist-signed, limited-edition print available.
'Juicy Secrets' Squirrels represent longevity and resourcefulness. Their inquisitive, active nature is expressed in the spontaneous brushstrokes of Chinese brush painter Tracie Griffith Tso in this Autumn composition. The term for ‘squirrel’ literally translates into ‘pine mouse,’ associating them with the evergreen symbol of long life. Pomegranates refer to progeny and are associated with abundance embodied in the rich jewel-like seeds in red, a lucky, auspicious color. Artist-signed, limited-edition print available.
'Sun Salutations' Original painting is on exhibit at the Reston Community Center Lake Anne through May. A celebration of Year of the Rabbit 2023, this rabbit composition on warm rustic soft ochre paper. Rabbits are a symbol of loyalty and gentility. Plum blossoms are symbolic of strength and stability as they are the first to open following Winter. Deep red maple leaves represent companionship and compatibility while the sun embodies the source of life and enlightenment. The year of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac are 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 2000, 2011, 2023, 2035. Artist-signed, limited-edition print available.
'Tenderhearted Touchy Feely' Mother and baby have a tender twining of trunks beneath banana trees. In Chinese lore, Buddha is depicted as an elephant and symbolizes wisdom and strength. The word for ‘elephant’ sounds like ‘xiang,’ which means good fortune. The banana tree is linked with constant growth, personal development and represents a journey toward betterment. The sun represents the source of life. Artist-signed, limited-edition print available.
'Shady Character' A cat looks up from its nap. In many Asian countries, black cats are considered good luck and and are said to dispel evil. Maneki Neko, the lucky cat figurines with one paw up, are displayed to attract wealth and are especially lucky in black. Li Shou, the Chinese cat god, was worshipped by farmers as cats prevented mice and rats from feeding on crops. Original and Artist-signed, limited-edition print available.
'Blueblood' Original ink and tempera on metallic cellulose board. A dragon in flight pursues the pearl of wisdom. Benevolent dragons overcome all obstacles and are a symbol of strength. They are said to control storms and weather phenomenon. Available at Fire On Studio 22 at the Torpedo Factory Art Center $750