How are you? Have you had a good weekend? I do hope that you are doing well and enjoy your weekend.

This week, we started to learn a new portrait lesson from professor Li Yang who is also a vice president of Chinese painting school of CAFA . As usual, I attend every lesson and I complete the assignment. However, my interest and excited point is still on the Chinese Mogu Painting. Therefore, I have painted 6 new Mogu paintings already.

Can you imagine? Just in the short 1 week’s lesson by Mr. Zhang Gong, I have found one of my development directions now and in the future ? to focus myself on Chinese bird and flower painting much more and mainly rely on it, to complete my combined art explorations. Meanwhile, I have made sure that I should learn from Mr. Ren Bonian and Mr. Yun Nantian in the painting field of bird and flower; I should learn from Mr. Gong Xian and Mr. Shitao in the field of landscape; and I should lean from Mr. Jiang Zhaohe and Mr. Huang Zhou in the field of portrait.

I chose these artists, not only for they are the representative artists in these fields, but also, they are my favourite artists. I love their painting style and I feel that my nature is suitable to learn from them.

So, after buying the landscape books of Mr. Gong Xian and Mr. Shitao, the portrait books of Mr. Jiang Zhaohe and Mr. Huang Zhou last term, this week, I have bought 13 big books, include the Complete Works (1840-1895) of Mr. Ren Bonian; the Collect Works of Mr. Yun Nantian and a big book on the Chinese Gongbi Painting (1900 - 1997) ,too.

Can you imagine? When I looked at the so expensive price of these books, I felt a little bit difficult to make a decision at once. Anyway, after looking at them out of the window of the book store several times, I bought the books of Yun Nantian on Monday, Chinese Gongbi Paintings on Wednesday and the Complete Works with 6 big books of Mr. Ren Bonian on Friday...

With a happy, satisfied and enjoyable heart, after coming back from classroom, I spend my time with the beautiful books until 1:00 or 2:00am every night.

I do feel that the biggest gain in CAFA, not only because I have learned some skills of painting, but also, I have made sure who are the greatest artists in Chinese paintings history that which books I must read and collect.

Many classmates wonder why I am “ so crazy ” on the book shopping. My answer is the charm of the good books.
-- Book is always like a good guider to direct me in my life. Every time, when I am on a crossroad, I am used of reading books, to find directions and guide from them. In the past winter vacation, when I faced the choice to come back to CAFA or go back to the company, when I faced the choice to live as a manager who has a higher life level or an art student who lives in a Poor Life. I read books, such as: To Learn Western Management from Mr. Bill Gates, To Lean Eastern Management from Mr. Li Jiachen; The Philosophy to Live in a Low Profile; Work Hard Does not Equal Success, some traditional painting books and The Philosophy of Achievement by Napleon Hill. Also, you cannot imagine how many books that I have taken to Australia for my son ? whole of a suitcase of books, include those books by Mr. Carnegie… After reading, thinking and traveling for about 45 days, I have known how to go my future road already.

So, now, every morning, when I draw my suitcase, walk on the white line for the cars in the campus in the sunshine, you cannot imagine how happy in my heart. Just like a child, with so much happiness and a little bit naughty heart ? after all, it is a good feeling to walk on a narrow white line and let the few cars in the campus to make a detour when they meet me in the middle of the road. : -)

Every time, when I complete a little painting, I often feel that I just complete a game of playing colors so that I can not help dancing or singing… : -)

I do think that in the best art college of China, I have found back myself with my own nature. So, even though I am living in a “ Poor Life ”as an art student instead of a manager, I feel much happy and enjoyable indeed.

-- I keep buying the books in the hardcover with a very experience price, not only for I love their beautiful surface, wonderful printing, helpful content, but also, for a little dream in my heart -- I would really like to found a Chinese Language and Art Lab in a Western country someday. I am preparing step by step from now.

-- I am going to donate all of my art of painting, music and language books somewhere someday when I leave for the heaven. :-) I do hope at that time, all of these books can continue to work and service for more people who need them. :- )

-- Book is just like my friend, lover and guider in my life, accompanies me past, now and in the future.

So, even though I have been suffering the ache, edema or numb somewhere on my body for a long time, I am happy in my heart always. : -)

How about you? Do you like book?
I am just a student on Art of Painting, Music, English and Management, to work on the web site in my free time. I would really like to do a few things with what I have learned to make this little web site to be an Electronic Bridge of Inter-Art & Cross - Culture Exchange, Chinese Language Learning & Friendship Making. To help the others while to improve myself.

I would like to appreciate you for your understanding, directions, supports and help.

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, you are welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn or leave your message on Message Board.

Shirley Yiping Zhang
March 13, 2011