Spring Dew Moistens the Wind
Bird on Branch
Wall Scroll

A Branch of Spring Dew Moistens the Gentle Wind

Yīzhī Chūn Lù Rùn Héfēng

This title talks of a sprig or branch dripping with dew drops in the Springtime. Poetically, this dew moistens the peaceful or gentle breeze.

This is by Huang Xin-An, but in this case, he has used his art name, 興安 or Xing-An to sign the work. We sorted through the deepest corners of his studio last time I was in Chengdu and found some older artwork that had never seen the light of day, nor been mounted. The date on this one is 1995 - as it's from some of the artist's earlier work that was forgotten about in a box in the back of his studio. The raw artwork has just been mounted as a brand-new wall scroll at my workshop in Beijing.

The paper used is handmade as well. You may see some fibers, husks, and other artifacts embedded in the paper. This is a testament to the handmade nature of the paper.

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This work was done in Chengdu by Huang Xin'an (Pronounced a little bit like "who-ong shin un") from the Sichuan (Szechwan) Province of China.

After I bought this work in Chengdu, I later returned to Beijing and had it mounted as a traditional hand-made silk scroll in our workshop. This makes a nice, ready-to-hang piece of wonderful hand-painted art.

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The story behind how I found this art...

I lost track of Huang Xin'an after my last trip to Chengdu. His phone number was out of order, and I was disappointed that I could not contact him to get more of his paintings.

I make the decision to go to Chengdu on my new art-buying trip mostly because of him.

After 15 hours on a slow train, I arrive in Chengdu. I check-in at Sam's Guesthouse (a hangout for backpackers from around the world, and a hostel with reasonably-priced beds). After a much-needed shower, I head out to find Huang Xin'an.

Taxis drive at the speed-of-light in Chengdu (the city boasts over 1000 fatal auto accidents per year), I arrive in no-time at the place I last found Mr. Huang. Sure enough, as I walk down the alley toward his gallery, he sees me and runs out to greet me. I'm really happy to see him, and the feeling is mutual.

I tell him how I came to Chengdu just to buy art from him (after not being able to reach him on the phone). He is so honored that I think he wants to hug me. He offers me a chair, and says he's painted a lot of work over that last 9 months with both me and my customers in mind. I was also honored by this gesture. He shows me a lot of new work in styles that I like.

I spend 2 days with Mr. Huang and we talk about a lot of new ideas and artwork that I think my western customers will like. He offers to close his gallery for a few days, and paint the art that I asked for. So I took a few days to meet and visit other artists in Chengdu. When I return to Mr. Huang's gallery, I am not disappointed. He did such a great job, words can't describe.