Ming Tien Chu

Artist Statement

Bamboo painting in black ink is very traditional and unique in Chinese culture. Painting bamboos well was long considered a test of an artist’s skill and character. Well-controlled,and confident brushstrokes are required and prized. Following are the essential skills in Chinese bamboo painting: holding the brush vertically and steadily, moving your whole arm and elbowI all the time, pressing down and lifting up the brush gently for every stroke. I have been devoting myself in painting bamboo for 45 years. At the beginning, I spent 8 years practicing painting under the guidance of Mr. Sou-Jin Zhong, the greatest bamboo painting master in Taiwan. I am good at painting bamboos in different expressions - sunny , rainy , windy, and snowy. I enjoy combining Chinese painting skills with western painting mediums . This is an enjoyable and valuable culture interaction journey.