Cranes in Pine Tree Longevity Character
Wall Scroll

Cranes in Pine Tree Longevity Character

Close up view of the crane artwork mounted to this silk brocade wall scroll

This is actually the Chinese/Japanese character for longevity or long life. Within the character there are 10 cranes in a pine tree carefully painted with lots of detail.

The tan paper used for the painting is made by hand with methods passed down for generations. Because it's made with all natural ingredients, you may find an occasional fiber or husk pressed in the paper. This 100% handmade artwork and wall scroll is much like one you would have found hundreds of years ago.

The title in Chinese suggests that these cranes will extend your life for many years. Along with that title, the rest of the Chinese characters are the year painted (2006) and the artist's signature.

While this was painted in 2006, we were so backlogged that it was not mounted until late 2008 and now it's been listed in early 2010. Sometimes artwork is like fine wine, and things take time.

The artist places her "chop" (signature stamp) on one of the wonderful pieces of artwork that she created meticulously by hand.

How I found this art...

Visiting an old friend and artist in Chengdu, I notice a woman is politely waiting for me.   Soon enough, I finish my business, and leave my friend to work on some art that I would pick up several days later.  The polite woman greets me as I walk out.  She quietly asks if I would just take a look at her artwork.

I walk over to her little booth and take a look.  The work is good, and I am surprised that she doesn't have a studio-gallery like a lot of artists.  She says that she likes to sell in the market, and put paintings in the hands of "the common man".  It is then that I realize we have a similar philosophy.

I look through her whole collection, and pick out several pieces that I like.  Her husband shows up, and I find out that he too is an artist.

I end up staying a few extra days with these two artists as they create a couple of custom paintings for me.  The quality of their work is wonderful and I'm so glad I didn't miss the chance to meet them.

Liu Da-Lu with her husband and daughter.
As usual, I am the "non-Chinese-looking guy" in the picture.

About the artist:

The artist's name is Liu Da-Lu.  She lives with her husband and young daughter near Chengdu, in the Sichuan province of China.  As if fitting the stereotype, her husband loves to paint dragons and warriors, but she paints beautiful women, flowers, landscapes, and animals.

They both live the simple life of artists.  Both of them have the attitude that the art itself is more important than money. The honor of knowing that their work will now be on the walls of homes throughout the world is the thing they feel strongest about.

I take down many notes about the artist, and her paintings as I sit in her little shop in the arts & antiques market just outside Chengdu.