An Act of Memory

Ho**er river on canvas. The photo was takin in April 2023 when my son and I did the Ho**er Valley track. Now painted it on canvas.

Some recent paintings - I’m trying to capture little memories with Mike into paintings.
Ho**er valley - Ho**er glacier lake. The picture was taken during Easter holiday this year.
Routeburn track. The picture was taken on the New Year day this year.

Photo taken in Aug, that was the third time I went up to the Pouakai tarn to check if I am lucky enough to see the perfect reflection of Mt. Taranaki. Yes, you can tell, I had my luck! I stayed in the hut overnight, saw this sunset view, and also the sunrise view, they were both spectacular, but if I had to choose, I like the sunset better. Hence, I painted the sunset on canvas. 22x28 inches.

Mt Taranaki - the perfect reflection taken at Pouakai tarn in Aug 2022, now painted on canvas 22x28inches -memory-on-canvas

Akaroa at Bank peninsula, Christchurch

Repainted this one after two years. I can tell my painting techniques evolved.

Pouakai Tarn at Mt Taranaki. 22x28 inches.

It’s a 12 km return walk, easy to moderate level with well maintained tracks all the way to the destination. On a calm day, you would see a perfect reflection. First time, Mike and I went there, it was such a gloomy day, we didn’t even see Taranaki at all 😂 Second time, I went there solo on my birthday, much better experience and here you go - the reflection. Next time, I’ll time it to reach the tarn in sunset.

I took my 9 years old son to the Abel Tasman Coast Track in March, 50km, 3 overnights, stayed in hut and tent. It’s a moderate level Great walk with beautiful coast and bush scenery. We loved the nights relaxing by the beach, cooking a meal and feeding the Weka. Came across lots of mind liked individuals and families on the track.
I chose one of the photos to paint this acrylic painting. 40x50cm.

Lupin flowers 60x80cm

Tried some new painting techniques this time. I cover the canvas with a 50/50 mix of Glazing Liquid and Nickel Azo Gold. This layer provides a convenient middle value that warms up the whole painting.

Then I get my skies down with using brush and blending. Then the mountains with using palette knife. Working back to front, I layer lupins with purple, orange and pink colours.

Waiohine Gorge 30x40cm on canvas.

It took me quite a few hours to paint the little bricks on the Good Shepherd Church wall and the roof. The Lake is just simply beautiful with the purple pink sunset.

不到长城非好汉 - If you haven't been to Great Wall, you are not a great man.
I was born in Beijing, it's my hometown and no matter what, I love it.
I took my son back to Beijing in the winter of 2019, we had a wonderful 2 weeks there with family and friends, had lots food, went to a number of different places inside and outside of Beijing. My son, then was 6 years old, went up to the Great Wall! We loved it. Hopefully we could go back again soon!

I love the finishing of the waves and the colour of the ocean.

You can't beat Wellington on a good day. A great spot to view Wellington harbor and the surroundings.

Where are the chairs? Well, you don't need to paint everything you see, you should paint what's in your mind.

I love the reflection of the bridge and the details of the leaves.