Everyday Ink

The Beginner's Mind

2012-02-15T16:31:00.002-05:00

Don't forget your "beginner's mind", always go back to the beginner's mind. The first moment of freshness, the first inspiration, the first touch, the first sight, the first love - remember that!

In Shunryu Suzuki Roshi's book: "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind", he said: "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's there are few.”

This work - Chinese calligraphy, "Beginner's Mind" - 初心. Sumi ink on rice paper, mounted on board. The size is 9 by 12 inches. The seal is an image of a bird, and my name "Chin".

Golden Sunset

2012-02-14T13:34:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine! Enjoy the golden sunset!

Mixed media on rice paper, mounted on canvas, ready to hang. The size is 17 by 32 in.

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Fruits on the Table

2012-02-13T07:53:00.000-05:00

It is surprising to see how much a few simple strokes can do. Here, maybe the image is fruits and its shadows? Or something else? Zen fruits on the table (or in the space?)

Original etching. The image size is 8.5 x 11 inches. Paper size is 11 x 15 in. Limited edition.

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Mountain-Sea Sutra

2012-02-10T17:50:00.002-05:00

There was a famous ancient Chinese text called "Mountain-Sea Sutra"- Shan Hai Jing (山海經); "Canon of Mountains and Seas". It is a Chinese classic text, and a compilation of early geography and myth. Suppose it describes over 550 mountains and 300 waterways. The book is full of imagined landscapes, strange creatures, symbols and mythology.

Our mind can be like the Mountain-Sea Sutra, it goes to everywhere; uncontrollable thoughts keep popping out. They could be fun, but sometimes they could be terrifying as well. They are the landscape of the mind, the dancing of the energy.

The artwork is body-size: mixed media on rice paper, mounted on canvas. The dimension is 25" x 50". The signature is my name "Chin"; the seal is my full name.

Movement Under the Sea

2012-02-07T13:23:00.000-05:00

If our consciousness is like the deep sea, then we probably we will find that there are a lot of movements under the sea. When the turbulence of the surface is huge, the sea deep down maybe still quietly moving. Look carefully, be aware, we can see our mind as clearly as it under the sun.

Original etching in trilogy. The image itself is 9 x 9 inches. See larger image from the link below.

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Dragon's Claw

2012-01-27T08:05:00.001-05:00

Dragon is inscrutable. There is a Chinese saying: "If you can see a dragon's head, then you cannot see its tail." It is so free and fearless, it can soar into the infinite space. However, when the timing is not right, it can dive into the deepest earth. Knowing timing is part of the dragon's magic. 神龍見首不見尾；潛龍勿用，飛龍在天。

A dragon's claw is powerful and fierce, it cuts through discourse, petty mind - mixed media on rice paper, mounted on canvas. The size is 18" x 18". The seal is: "walking in the sky."

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A New Beginning

2012-01-20T15:10:00.000-05:00

It is the end of the lunar Rabbit year, and the new beginning of the Dragon year. Looking forward with a fresh prospect: everything is shaping and changing, everything is new. 一元復始，萬象更新。

Beginning - mixed media on rice paper, mounted on canvas. The size is 15" x 18." The seal on the left is an image of a bird.

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Dragon and The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel

2012-01-16T20:35:00.001-05:00

Extract from the Sakyong, Mipham Rinpoche's book, "Ruling Your World" -

Thedragon is sometimes shown holding the jewel of auspiciousness. This is theenlightened heart and mind of the king and queen. With the wisdom of thedragon, we discover that the *Rigden and ourselves are the same. Our wisdom,compassion, and courage are no longer a myth. Once we possess this jewel, ourlife becomes blessed. Because of our openness and precision, causes andconditions come together naturally, like the elements, to create success andaccomplishment.

Chinese calligraphy: (wording) Dragon, 龍, with an ink dot (jewel) on the top. Sumi ink on rice paper. The size is 21 by 18 inches. Will add seal later on.

Note:
Rigden: “Possessor of the family.” Embodiment of basic goodness. Thename given to thetwenty-five enlightened rulers of the legendary kingdom of Shambhala.

2012-01-12T09:25:00.000-05:00

There are two shows I am currently in right now (winter of 2011 till present day; ongoing). You are cordially invited:

Art Gallery Troy, New York - Holiday Show
200 First Street, Troy, NY 12180. (518) 326-3946

Garden Cafe & Cafe, Vermont - Holiday Show

Main Street Route 11, Londonderry, VT 05148. (802) 824-9574

Heavenly Dragon

2012-01-11T18:59:00.001-05:00

Heavenly dragon is playful and elegant. He is the king of kings. He is absolute. He embodies egolessness thus he is his true self. He is inscrutable, and magical. He is the symbol of auspiciousness.

Extracts from the Sakyong, Mipham Rinpoche's book "Ruling Your World":

Themind of the dragon speaks a different language than does the small mind caughtin hope and fear. The claustrophobic mind is unable to read the signs of thisprofound wisdom; because it believes in “me,” it speaks the language ofaggression. If we’re angry or jealous and somebody is full of compassion, wesimply cannot comprehend his accommodation and love. He is residing in thebrilliant mind of the dragon, and we’re being tormented by the drip of the darkage. When we finally relax, we realize that our anger was for nothing. From adistance, we can even see the humor in it. Now our mind is gaining elevation.It is coming closer to the principle of dragon. We feel the vastness of mindand wonder how we could have gone to the valley’s depth.

Chinese calligraphy: (wording) Heavenly Dragon, 天龍. Sumi ink on rice paper. The size is 20 by 36 inches. The seal is an abstract image of the sun. Signed: Chin's heart.

Water Dragon 2012

2012-01-04T15:50:00.001-05:00

Turquoise water dragon will be the year of 2012 - it will be a "Yang" Water Dragon (not Yin) - starts January 23, 2012, and ends February 9, 2013, according to the lunar calendar (Tibetan calendar will be one month later this year).

Since it is a yang water dragon, it is full of possibilities - it can go any where in a positive sense. It has no bounds. How nice to welcome the Water Dragon!

Chinese calligraphy: (wording) Dragon, 龍. Sumi ink and acrylic color on rice paper. The size is 14 by 16 inches.

An Old Dragon Has No Fear

2012-01-03T17:21:00.002-05:00

An old dragon 蒼龍，has no fear. He plays with the elements. He flies through the sky and dives into the ocean. The clouds are his home. Thunders are his retinues. He drinks with the wind gods, and laughs with the hail maids. Let is be cold, let it be wet, let it be sunny, let it be hot... A dragon is beyond all the conditions.

Chinese calligraphy: (wording) Dragon, 龍. Sumi ink on rice paper. The size is 17 by 17 inches.

The Sun of Life

2012-01-01T20:40:00.000-05:00

Holiday could be both joyful and sad. The high hope of excitement and the disappointment after that. However high or low, hope or fear, we can have a sun in our hearts - a sun of life-force energy, a sun of love and compassion. We can go out and spread the sun. The sunlight radiates from within.

Mixed media on rice paper, mounted board. The size is 11 by 16 inches.

Happy New Year to you! May the warm sunlight be with you in this Happy, Bright New Year...

Viewing my recent new artworks: http://www.yeachin.net/a_recent/index.html

Marks of Life

2011-12-29T18:17:00.000-05:00

Whether like it or not, aware or unaware, everything we do in life, will leave a trace, leave a mark. The kindness of others, and the difficult parts, all imprints are vividly kept in the consciousness; our lives, are our marks.

Sumi ink on rice paper. The size is 16 by 18 inches. The seal is an image of sun-circle.

Non-Dwell

2011-12-15T17:02:00.002-05:00

Chinese calligraphy: "Non-dwell". 不住.

Not dwelling in the past, or the future; not caught in the hope and fear. Living in the present moment. This precious breath. Each moment is complete new, and unique: never happened before; never will happen again.

Sumi ink on rice paper. The size is 12 by 16 inches. The seals are "emptiness and form are one", and an image of a bird.

Lapis Seascape

2011-10-24T21:27:00.008-04:00

This world is more mysterious than we think. It has the seen and unseen parts. When we see the appearance we think that is all; but that is not all. There are many things beyond our comprehension. They are working behind the scenes.

The painting: "Lapis Seascape". Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper (a kind of strong fiber mulberry bark paper), mounted on canvas, ready to hang. The size is 36 by 27 inches. The seals are images of abstract circles.

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Basic Goodness is the Ground of All

2011-10-11T17:13:00.002-04:00

Chinese calligraphy: "Basic goodness is the ground of all." Shambhala Slogan. 本初善是一切之基.

Sumi ink on rice paper (a kind of strong fiber mulberry bark paper). The size is 18 by 15 inches. The seal is "walking in the sky". Signed as my name "Chin".

Resting Your Mind on the Vast

2011-10-09T09:34:00.002-04:00

Don't fixate you mind on anything. Resting your mind on the infinite space; seeing clearly everything arises within it.

Chinese calligraphy: Don't fixate you mind on anything. 應無所住而生其心.
Sumi ink on rice paper (a kind of strong fiber mulberry bark paper). The size is 14 by 15 inches. The seal is a round abstract shape; signed as my name Chin.

Moonlight

2011-10-07T17:34:00.006-04:00

I look at the autumn sky, and there is this bright half moon. It is brilliant and silent, a silence with tremendous strength.

The earth is strewn with clear light.

Past, present and future, which is more real than this moment of cool air? This breeze, this shivering existence?

The painting: Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper (a kind of strong fiber mulberry bark paper), mounted on canvas, ready to hang. The size is 36 by 30 inches. The seals are an image of a moon at the top, and a round abstract shape at the bottom.

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Day and Night

2011-10-03T06:59:00.012-04:00

Day and night our mind is occupied with so many thoughts. It is so busy, like a water fall. Can I sometimes look at the sky and see the beautiful blue and gray? Can I watch a flower and temporarily forgot my worries? Do I need to be so worried all the time?...

It is interesting to observe it. Day and night, we can see the landscape of our mind.

Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper (a kind of strong fiber mulberry bark paper), mounted on canvas, ready to hang. The size is 36 by 24 inches. The seals are an image of a fish (left), a bird, and the wording "walking in the sky". Signed as "Chin's heart".

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Good Moon

2011-09-30T19:03:00.012-04:00

This picture is a combination of Chinese calligraphy with abstract images: good, moon, light, and mountains. The wording of the calligraphy: Good, 好, in grass script style. The seal on the left is an ancient Chinese pictorial word of "moon".

Good moon - bright, gentle, cooling, pure, peaceful and eternal (compassion). A good moon represents many wonderful qualities. It is a symbol of enlightenment. According to the legend, the first king of Shambhala, Suchandra (Tibetan: Dawa Sangpo), requested teaching from the Buddha. In response to his request, the Buddha gave him the teaching of Kalachakra tantra (the Wheel of Time). By practicing the Kalachakra the whole Shambhala became an enlightened society. Suchandra, literally means "Good Moon".

Sumi ink on rice paper, mounted on canvas, the size is 15 by 12 inches.

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2011-09-28T11:15:00.003-04:00

"Everyone has basic goodness." We are all different. But we are intrinsically good. If we can see that, probably we can try to understand each other. Thus reduce pain.

Chinese calligraphy: 眾生皆具本初善 - Everyone has basic goodness. Sumi ink on rice paper, the size is 22 by 18 inches. The seal is my name: Yeachin Tsai.

Basic Goodness

2011-09-27T18:16:00.012-04:00

"When we realize the power of aligning our mind and body with our surroundings, we are able to be dignified and courageous because synchronizing our thoughts, actions, and the environment allows full-blown bravery to manifest—both personally and socially. When we have the bravery to buck the continuous onslaught of our neurosis and the samsaric depression of the world surrounding us, we experience basic goodness."

Extract from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche's written teachings - Bravery: Synchronicity of Body and Mind

Chinese calligraphy: The mountain and river are graceful and beautiful; the people is (basically) good. 山川秀麗，人間美善。This doesn't mean we don't see the suffering of the world. We see them, but we don't lose hope; we don't give up.

Sumi ink on rice paper, the size is 22 by 18 inches. The seal is: "emptiness and forms are inseparable." The signature is my name: Chin.

Having Fun

2011-09-14T15:06:00.006-04:00

Living fully in the moment. Having fun. There is no other moment is better than "Now"; no other place needs to go, besides here. If I keep chasing after my hope and expectation, I will just lost in my fear of gaining or losing it.

Chinese calligraphy: 盡興. The real meaning is "having greatest fun!" The wording itself is in semi-cursive script style.

Sumi ink calligraphy on Shikishi board, which is ready to be framed; 10.75" by 9.5". With golden edge.
The seal is a fish, which symbolizes freedom.

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Distant View

2011-09-13T15:16:00.004-04:00

Where do we want to go? Why do we never like the place we are standing on? Why we always look at the distant place far away, and think there maybe something more fulfilling, more satisfying? Is that so? Or it is just our wanting mind?

Having a view is a good thing; Enjoying where we stand is also a good thing.

Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper (strong fiber mulberry bark paper), mounted on canvas, ready to hang. The size is 37 by 28 inches. The seal is my name: Chin.

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Yellow Delta

2011-09-08T06:08:00.000-04:00

Clarity comes from a clear mind.

Aware of every brush stokes and the space in between -
"When your attention moves into the Now, there is an alertness. It is as if you were waking up from a dream, the dream of thought, the dream of past and future. Such clarity, such simplicity. No room for problem-making. Just this moment as it is. The moment you enter the Now with your attention, you realize that life is sacred. There is a sacredness to everything you perceive when you are present. The more you live in the Now, the more you sense the simple yet profound joy of Being and the sacredness of all life."

Extract from Tolle, Eckhart (2009). Stillness Speaks.

Mixed media with sumi ink and acrylic colors on rice paper (strong fiber mulberry bark paper), mounted on board, ready to hang. The size is 23 by 32 inches. The seals are an image of a bird on the top, and my name "Yeachin".

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Simplicity is Our Wealth

2011-08-29T12:40:00.005-04:00

Moist atmosphere after the hurricane. The elements of nature were out of balance for a while; soon it bounced back.

Chinese sages used to say "follow the rule of the nature is the way to flourishing; against the rule of nature is the way going downward."

These days, we do most things against the nature. The result is devastating.

Back to a simpler life style, closer to nature, is a good thing for human and all beings. Really.

Mixed media with metallic gold on rice paper, mounted on board, ready to hang. The size is 21 by 18 inches. The seal is my name "Chin".

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Motivation - 發心

2011-08-26T19:04:00.002-04:00

Motivation. 發心. Your motivation will lead you to all the action and its result. It is the seed of everything.

Chinese calligraphy, sumi ink on paper. The size is 21 by 11 inches. I will put a seal later on when purchased.

Happy Journey

2011-08-19T11:17:00.001-04:00

Although it is a lonely journey for everyone. We can make the best of it. We can make our lives worthwhile. If we can think for others. Help a bit.

Then it will be a journey with scenery; not just me and myself.

Happy journey!

Mixed media with gold metallic color on rice paper, mounted on canvas, stretched on board. The size is 26 by 26 inches.

Luminous World

2011-08-15T09:50:00.006-04:00

The world is luminous when we see it with a clear, unfiltered mind.

Mixed media on rice paper, mounted on board, ready to hang. The size is 37 by 28 inches. The seal is my name "Yeachin" at the bottom and "form and emptiness are inseparable" at the top.

Green Mountains

2011-07-12T12:13:00.005-04:00

"Discovering a chord of music."

When color and form mixed together, tradition and modern style mixed together, all is just a mutual dance; a dance within space and time.

Mixed media on rice paper, mounted on canvas. The size is 16 by 26 inches; the seal is a blue rabbit on the left.

See more new work: www.yeachin.net

Endless Wanting

2011-07-05T18:17:00.005-04:00

We make so many things so important for us... Everything. One day the conditions change, all of a sudden we realize that they are not so important any more - they are just "things", one thing after another, endless desires and endless holes, all become endless memories.

How can we fulfill the hole of the bottom of our heart? Maybe just to see it clearly as what it is.

Chinese calligraphy style: Wu 無 (Japanese: Mu) - Nothing; No; Not; None. Mixed media (metallic silver) on canvas. The size is 15 by 15 inches, mounted on stretchers.

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Mist In the Mountain

2011-06-28T06:46:00.006-04:00

Mist in the mountain. Everything is generating, everything is possible.

Mixed media on rice paper, mounted on board, ready to hang. The size is 26 by 28 inches. The seal is my name "Chin".

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"Nothing Special"

2011-06-21T18:06:00.014-04:00

In memory of a wonderful pioneer Zen teacher: Charlotte Joko Beck, who peacefully passed away on June 15, 2011, at the age of 94. According to her students, among Beck’s last words was this statement, ”This too is wonder.”

Extract from her book: "Nothing Special" -

Waking up means realizing that our situation is hopeless - and wonderful. There is nothing for us to do except simply to live this second.
Sooner or later we realize that the truth of life is the second we are living. In a sense, our life has no duration whatsoever: we're always living the same second. There is nothing but that second, the timeless present moment. With that realization, each second is a source of joy. Without that realization, each second is misery."

Chinese calligraphy: Wu 無 (Japanese: Mu) - Nothing; No; Not; None. Red ink on gold metallic ground. The size is 24 by 24 inches, mounted on board. The seal is a round red bird on the left.

Mountain and Sea

2011-05-30T10:18:00.011-04:00

Mountain and sea are interchangeable. "Everything changes." As Buddha said.

Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper, mounted on canvas; ready to hang. The size is 36 by 40 inches. The seal is Yeachin Tsai and "Emptiness and forms are inseparable" on the left.

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Vast Space, Vast Mind

2011-05-20T12:20:00.002-04:00

Vast land, vast space, vast mind, vast awareness. A big mind understands everything.

Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper, mounted on canvas; ready to hang. The size is 24 by 34 inches. The seal is Yeachin (my name) on the left.

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Dream-like Phenomena

2011-05-03T19:09:00.016-04:00

"All Conditional phenomena,
Just like dream and illusion,
Like bubbles, and shadows,
also like dew and thunder;
We should see it just like that."

From Buddhism Diamond Sutra.

一切有為法，如夢幻泡影，
如露亦如電，應作如是觀。
抄錄自《金剛經》

Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper, mounted on hemp canvas; ready to hang. The size is 24 by 34 inches. The seals are: "walking in the sky" on the right, and "emptiness and existence are non-dual" on the left. Singnature: Chin's heart.

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Spring Flowers

2011-04-23T15:51:00.005-04:00

Chinese calligraphy in vermilion sumi ink: "In springtime, the whole town is strewn with beautiful flowers." 春城無處不飛花。唐朝詩人韓翃之名句。

The size is 15 by 38 inches. Will add my seal later on.

You can choose to mount the artwork with Chinese traditional silk border around it or mount it on board (western mounting).

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All is Emptiness

2011-04-02T14:44:00.011-04:00

Chinese calligraphy: "All is Emptiness 一切空."

All is emptiness; yet all is luminosity.

Mixed media with metallic silver color on rice paper, mounted on acid-free board; ready to hang. The size is 17 by 11.25 inches. The seal is: walking in the sky 空行.

Click for a larger image view.
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Sun and Dew

2011-03-27T18:21:00.006-04:00

"Sun and dew,
All is love."

Chinese calligraphy 陽光雨露盡是愛. The size is 8 by 31 inches. Will add my seal later on.

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Space of the Mind

2011-03-26T17:22:00.001-04:00

A cow deserves a big meadow;
A man deserves a cozy bar;
A woman deserves a nice wardrobe;
A bee deserves a flowery garden;
A bird deserves a tall tree;
A cloud would like to have a huge sky; and,
A thought needs a big mind.
Give ourselves a big open mind, that
Can accommodate any trouble thought.
Then you can truly rest,
Like the boat rests in the shoals.

Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper, mounted on canvas; ready to hang. The size is 16 by 19 inches. The seal is: walking in the sky.

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The Memory of Spring

2011-03-25T10:31:00.000-04:00

沈園
宋, 陸游

(城上斜陽畫角哀，沈園非復舊池台。) 傷心橋下春波綠，曾是驚鴻照影來。

Shen Garden
by Chinese poet Lu You (1125–1209), of Song Dynasty

(With the sunlight on the town walls, the horn sounds sad;
The pond and pavilions in Shen Garden are not the old ones. )
I am totally heartbroken - the spring waves under the bridge are still green,
Which once reflected her stunningly beautiful figure in the water, it's no longer there.

Chinese calligraphy of an ancient poem (the last two stanzas). Sumi ink on rice paper. The size is 28 by 30 inches. Signed: Chin's heart. Will add my seal later on.
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Richness of Heart

2011-03-22T23:14:00.006-04:00

There is nothing is even richer than the richness of our heart. We have so much; and we can give so much. When we look out and search for something to satisfy our needs, very often we only find disappointment and pain in the end. But if we look inward, there is this golden landscape in our hearts - forever rich, inexhaustible.

The richness of heart is the heart of gold.

Mixed media with metallic gold color on rice paper, mounted on acid-free board; ready to hang. The size is 16 by 28 inches. The seal at the bottom right corner is my name: Chin.

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Green Karma Energy

2011-03-17T13:23:00.007-04:00

In Tantric Buddhism it talks about five buddha families, which are the essence, the innate nature of everything. "Karma family energy manifests neurotically as jealousy and on the awakened level as all-accomplishing wisdom. It is the energy of the element of wind which is present everywhere, touching all corners of space."

"Karma is connected with the cold, stormy energetic quality of the north. Its color is green, expressing either envy or the energy of all-pervading action."

We can see the beauty of the green energy in people, in the world around us. It is active, with tremendous longing...

Himalayanart.org has some great info: Visual Dharma

Mixed media on paper, mounted on board; ready to hang. The size is 17.5 by 17.5 inches.

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Everything Changes

2011-03-15T17:50:00.006-04:00

Everything changes; Mountain could move, sea could dry. life comes and goes. All things are in a status of constant change... Why can't we just see it?

Mixed media on paper, mounted on board; ready to hang. The size is 17.5 by 17.5 inches. The seal is an image of a rabbit.

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Red Mountain

2011-03-02T16:58:00.008-05:00

Red mountain. Energy of fire, heat, intense emotions, strong intentions.

Mixed media on paper, mounted on board; ready to hang. The size is 15 by 15 inches. The seal is an image of a rabbit.

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Karmic Wind

2011-02-27T19:51:00.008-05:00

Chased by the power of karmic wind,
Where to stop, where to land
The floating grass has no will
Following the fall, Oh dear
Where is this going to end.

Chased by the force of past trace,
Keep going, keep drifting
That is the story told, won't be the story unfold
Maybe the empty space has some sparks,
Maybe now I can see the morning star…

Passion,
Agression,
I have followed my ignorance.
Where to, my dear?
I've done everything already.
Is it going to be over and over again in the dark,
Or, this time,
With a bit of awareness?

Riding on the karmic wind;
Being the rider, being the wind.
Being the sun and moon; being the stardust;
Exploring the full spectrum of human potentials.

Longing for love -
Being love, that never ends.
Being the lover, the one that gives.
The one who is not afraid,
no matter what.

Metallic (silver) painting on board: mixed media; ready to hang. The size is 11 by 23 inches. Click for a larger image view.

Booger!

2011-02-18T05:33:00.002-05:00

Art could be for fun! It doesn't need to be always so serious, so ambitious...

Chinese calligraphy: Booger - 鼻屎！Written as requested. 4 by 6 inches. Mixed media on wood panel.

Sailing in the Deep Water

2011-01-31T22:05:00.010-05:00

Sailing in the deep water,

Far away; no names.

Sailing without destination,

Sailing with a good intension. Maybe that is enough -

In this dreamscape of sea, sun, moon, and stars are my guides.
There are icebergs, reefs, tempting mermaids;
But we can trust the wind, the smell, the sense of direction,
and this old boat.

Who care where to go? If I don't have much fear?...

Mixed media on hemp canvas. The size is 12 by 14 inches.

Authentic Presence

2011-01-24T20:32:00.004-05:00

AUTHENTIC PRESENCE: (Tibetan "wangthang"): a "field of power." "The basic idea of authentic presence is that, because you achieve some merit or virtue, therefore that virtue begins to be reflected in your being, your presence. So authentic presence is based on cause and effect. The cause of authentic presence is the merit you accumulate, and the effect is the authentic presence itself… the abrupt and spontaneous process that brings authentic presence is raising windhorse."

From Trungpa Rinpoche, Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior

Chinese calligraphy: Authentic Presence, 真威. Ink and mixed media on golden ground board. The size is 4” by 8”. Ready to hang.

Auspiciousness

2010-12-31T10:27:00.010-05:00

Chinese calligraphy: Auspiciousness. Ink and mixed media on 3/4” thick wood board. The size is 5” by 10.5”. Ready to hang. (Right image is the hanging on the wall view. Click to see a larger image.)

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Gold Mountain, Silver Mountain

2010-12-27T17:09:00.007-05:00

Gold Mountain, Silver Mountain - 金山銀山 - the richness of the mother nature. In the deepest snowed mountains, all things are still full of life.

Metallic painting on board: mixed media; ready to hang. The size is 12 by 12 inches.

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Conversation between Birds

2010-11-20T20:34:00.001-05:00

Two birds are talking to each other. "It is a beautiful cold autumn day, where are you going my friend?"

"Oh, I am going to the south, like all the years my families have been doing..."

"Can't believe it is almost the end of an year!"

"I know. Time flies, just like us..."

Painting on gessoed board: mixed media; ready to hang. The size is 12 by 10 inches.

Accepting the Flow

2010-11-12T08:19:00.006-05:00

Don't try to stop the flow of life; don't try to freeze it. There is no one moment that is not changing constantly. Nothing is the same as before. If we stuck, we suffer. If we can't see the world with a fresh eye everyday, if we keep expect everything just like before - we suffer.

Go deep into the flow of the river of life, go deeper into the reality. Accepting the changes with a tender heart. Mountains become earth, earth washed out by water. Nothing stays the same. So we should accept the painful truth that everything changes. Or, maybe it is not a bad thing after all?

Painting on fabric mounted on board: mixed media; ready to hang. The size is 12 by 9.5 inches.

Be Yourself

2010-11-09T17:43:00.001-05:00

Don't afraid to be yourself. You are good. Simply be. Simply recognize your own dignity. You don't need others' approval to show that you are worthy.

Painting: sumi ink on rice paper, mounted on board, ready to hang. The size is 19 by 21 inches.

Night Moon

2010-11-07T18:05:00.008-05:00

The moon shines in a deep night. Every thing has a contour but we cannot really see what it is. We don't know much about the mystery of reality. We don't know life; we don't know death. We don't want to know they are undivided - One must follows the other.

Painting: metallic gold on fabric mounted on board: mixed media, ready to hang. The size is 12 by 9.5 inches.

Landscape of the Mind

2010-11-06T12:21:00.001-04:00

I still love this topic: Landscape of the mind. Every mark we make on the blank space of the painting is like a mark of the mind. Sometimes it is stable and calm; sometimes it is confused and chaotic. The mark shows the status of mind, as well as the color - Our trace at that particular moment. It is a good reminder to ourselves.

Seeing it, appreciating it; no judgement. Next moment is coming again.

Painting on canvas: mixed media; ready to hang. The size is 11 by 13.5 inches.

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Blue Moon

2010-10-29T16:21:00.003-04:00

Blue Moon

Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald

Blue moon, you saw me standin' alone
Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me sayin' a prayer for
Someone I really could care for

And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper "please adore me"
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold

By Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers

Painting on canvas mounted on board: mixed media with metallic silver color; ready to hang. The size is 10 by 9 inches. Will add my signature later on.

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Mountain of Richness 03

2010-10-25T18:36:00.002-04:00

Mountain of richness; a series of strong color and marks in an abstract space. Here is an image between Chinese wording and abstract shapes.

Painting on board: mixed media on colored ground, gessoed board; ready to hang. The size is 10 by 9 inches. Will add my seal later on.

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The Mountain of Richness 02

2010-10-23T17:43:00.004-04:00

Mountain of richness; a series of strong color and marks in an abstract space. Here, the image exists without any excuse.

Painting on board: mixed media on colored ground, gessoed board; ready to hang. The size is 10 by 9 inches. Will add my seal later on.

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The Mountain of Richness

2010-10-22T08:37:00.007-04:00

Mountain of richness; mountain of gold. The energy is joyful and the quality is earthy. Heaven and earth are joined.

Painting on fabric: mixed media on golden color ground, gessoed board; ready to hang. The size is 10 by 12 inches. Will add my seal later on.

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Ever Land

2010-09-29T20:06:00.008-04:00

Have you ever been to one place and feel you have been there before? Have you ever met someone the first time, but feel that you have seen him or her forever? The landscape in my mind's eye is like that: I walk through it, fly over it, swim in the air within it... Everything is so familiar. It is never far away from me.

Painting: mixed media on Japanese wax masa paper, mounted on board. The size is 14 by 9 inches. Click for a larger image view.

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Autumn Colors

2010-09-20T09:26:00.005-04:00

Autumn is here. The trees, leaves are changing colors. Our life has seasons, too. From birth we start changing day by day. What an amazing journey!

Autumn color, rich, beautiful, a bit sentimental; transitional. The painting itself: mixed media on Japanese wax masa paper, mounted on board. The size is 15.5 by 21 inches. Click for a larger image view.

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Flower 02

2010-09-09T16:02:00.004-04:00

The artist shows us beauty. Beauty is everywhere. Beauty could be powerful, but it also could be so gentle like a spring breeze. Beautiful things are wonderful; however the long lasting beauty is an inner state of mind.

Painting: mixed media on Japanese wax masa paper, mounted on board. The size is 15.5 by 21 inches. Click for a larger image view.

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Autumn Flower

2010-09-06T17:38:00.002-04:00

The flowers blaze beautifully in the season of fall.

Painting: mixed media on Japanese wax masa paper, mounted on board. The size is 14 by 17 inches. Click for a larger image view.

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Red Mountain

2010-09-03T17:32:00.003-04:00

Burning heat; red mountain.

Painting: mixed media on Japanese wax masa paper, mounted on board. The size is 14 by 9 inches. Click for a larger image view.

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Gentle Land

2010-08-25T09:14:00.007-04:00

"Gentleness is key in overcoming the aggression that results from the process of fixating. We’re living in a time when even within our own mind, it is difficult to find peace. We label many faults in ourselves; we become harsh with ourselves. When we’re unable to find peace with ourselves, it becomes difficult to find peace with each other.

Therefore we begin to practice peace by being gentle with ourselves. That requires overcoming a level of our own fear. When we are gentle with ourselves, we are naturally gentle with others."

Written Teaching from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

Painting: mixed media on Japanese wax masa paper, mounted on board. The size is 16 by 7 inches. Click for a larger image view.

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Simple

2010-08-19T18:09:00.008-04:00

I never have doubt about this: despite the seemingly complexity of life, life can be very simple. If we live life one moment at a time, one day at a time, appreciate each day and everyone... then the ebb and flow of life wouldn't affect us too much. It wouldn't be so unbearable. It can be joyful.

Landscape. Sumi ink and acrylic on rice paper, mounted on acid-free fabric on board (archival); ready to hang. The size is 19 by 18 inches. Will add seals later on. (Click for a larger image)

Luminosity

2010-08-16T19:10:00.011-04:00

From Rangjung Yeshe dictionary: Luminosity ('od gsal). A key term in Vajrayana philosophy signifying a departure from Mahayana's over-emphasis on emptiness which can lead to nihilism. According to (Great) Mipham Rinpoche, 'luminosity' means 'free from the darkness of unknowing and endowed with the ability to cognize.'
Luminosity is the uncompounded nature present throughout all of samsara and nirvana.

Chinese calligraphy: Luminosity 明. The word itself is composed of Sun and Moon put together. Sumi ink on raw silk, mounted on acid-free fabric on board (archival); ready to hang. The size is 9 by 11 inches. Will add seals later on. (Click for a larger image)

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Peace and Harmony

2010-08-14T14:39:00.011-04:00

Peace and harmony to the world. May all beings be happy; may all beings enjoy true happiness and the root of happiness.

Chinese calligraphy: Peace, harmony 和. Sumi ink and watercolor on Chinese bamboo paper (a special kind of rice paper), archival mounted on acid-free fabric and on board; ready to hang. The size is 9 by 12 inches. Will add seals later on. (Click for a larger image)

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This World Is Not Just What We See

2010-08-09T18:23:00.013-04:00

This world is not just what we see. This world is not just what we feel. There are more things happening all around it. And we may or may not aware of it. So many components come together to make one thing happen; so many feelings behind one big strong emotion; so much past present and future weave together in order to manifest this moment. It is a magical world. It is a vast universe.

Sometimes there's no word for those intuitions... we feel love, we feel sad, we feel distanced... for no particular reasons. We look, and we see no special object. We think, and the thoughts are just mental chatters. There is something that we cannot describe. There is something that is much bigger and rounder.

Sumi ink and water color on Chinese bamboo paper (a special kind of rice paper), archival mounted on acid-free fabric and on board; ready to hang. The size is 19 by 20 inches. Will add seals later on. (Click for a larger image)

All We Have is This Moment

2010-08-01T12:03:00.018-04:00

All we have is this moment. No matter how shaky it may be. We walk, we talk, we sit, we do all kinds of activities. We think this and that, or we simply space out... Still, all we have is this moment. Past and future, are coming and going, yet this moment doesn't really stay. It is gone, immediately. Regret, longing, wanting to be somehow different, somewhere else but not here... No matter what it may be, this moment is all we have. Dot, dot, dot......

Trungpa Rinpoche, True Perception, the Path of Dharma Art:
"At this point, we are in a very powerful spot: being in the present, we can reshape the whole future. Therefore, shouldn't we be more careful, shouldn't we be more awake in what we are doing this very moment?"

Sumi ink and acrylic color on Chinese bamboo paper (a special kind of rice paper), mounted on acid free fabric and on board; ready to hang. The size is 9 by 9 inches. Will add seals later on. (Click for a larger image)

A Dot of Fearlessness

2010-07-29T18:50:00.004-04:00

A red dot; a dot of fearlessness. A dot that is gentle and bold, a dot that is humorous and brave. A dot that has many layers. A dot that is fun.

Sumi ink and watercolor on Chinese bamboo paper (a special kind of rice paper), mounted on acid free fabric and on board; ready to hang. The size is 12 by 9.5 inches. Will add seals later on. (Click for a larger image)

Where is This Lonely Child's Home

2010-07-27T21:41:00.006-04:00

I have been away from home for more than 25 years now. But my home is with me, in my mind and heart, in my dreams, in my memories, and in my reality. I know I am my parents' child. They are in my blood. Their kindness is always with me. Their happy and sad, and their love, are with me, too. I am never too far away from home. When I look at the mirror, I see my parents; I see my family.

Chinese calligraphy: Where is this lonely child's home. 何處是兒家.
Sumi ink and watercolor on Chinese bamboo paper, mounted on acid free fabric and on board; ready to hang. The size is 38 by 9 inches. Will add seals later on. (Click for a larger image)

Seemingly Unrelated Events (Summer Happy Dots)

2010-07-22T11:06:00.004-04:00

It looks like things are not connected; however all the events are related in a subtle way. We cannot see all the connections. But we know all things are inter-related. One thing affects the other.

Sumi ink and watercolor on Chinese bamboo paper, mounted on acid free fabric and on board; ready to hang. The size is 38 by 37 inches. Will add seals later on. (Click for a larger image)

Vast Landscape

2010-07-21T10:57:00.014-04:00

An open mind sees a vast landscape. Not confined by the little things in between - everything is part of the flow of life. Everything counts. Everything is within the big picture. Nothing is excluded.

Sumi ink on raw silk, mounted on acid free fabric and on board; ready to hang. The size is 38 by 43 inches. Will add seals later on. (Yellow background is the color of the wall; click for larger image.)

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Three Gentlemen

2010-07-13T16:58:00.008-04:00

Confucius once said: "If there are three gentlemen travel together, I am sure that someone may serve as my teacher." (三人行，必有吾師焉。) Since everyone is so different, if we can truly see others' qualities, we can learn from every person.

Abstract line works, it is like wording but not real wording in any sense. Sumi ink and watercolor on rice paper (bamboo paper), mounted on board. The size is 38 by 15 inches. (click for larger image.)

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Dot in the Space

2010-07-09T11:51:00.003-04:00

A dot in the space. Before everything begins. Before our thoughts get complicated and tangled. Before we start getting into emotional, worried, offensive or defensive, like or dislike... A dot is a dot; a dot only. All other line and shape and form come after that. A dot is free.

Sumi ink on rice paper (bamboo paper), mounted on board. The size is 8.5 by 10 inches. (Ready for hanging.)

The Land of Rainbow

2010-07-07T11:22:00.010-04:00

The land of rainbow. Where everything is jewel-like. Rich and joyful.

Sumi ink and watercolor on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 37 by 15.5 inches. Signed with my name "Chin's heart"; the seals are an image of a lotus and a fish. (Click for a larger view.)

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The Conversation of Four Dots

2010-07-06T09:05:00.002-04:00

The conversation of four dots. Sumi ink and watercolor on rice paper (bamboo paper), mounted on board. 38 by 14 inches. (click for a larger image)

Happy Summer Dance

2010-07-04T18:17:00.008-04:00

Just some happy notes without particular meanings - happy dance, without purpose. Summer dry wind blowing, birds singing, fire works popping... things have their own places. Past, present, and future, all is happily co-existing.

Sumi ink and watercolor on linen, mounted on frame. The size is 18 by 20 inches.

Why Enthralled by Beauty

2010-06-14T23:52:00.003-04:00

Chinese calligraphy: "Why enthralled by beauty?" 醉心，何以故？Why we enthralled by anything? A temporary relief from ourselves? An escape from the mundane? A gateway to another dimension? Or, just a place to visit again and again?

If that is the moment of eternity, why not?

Sumi ink on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on board. The size is 14 by 16 inches.

Far Away

2010-05-26T17:46:00.009-04:00

The great thing of travel is you visit many places. Some are new, some are just old place but re-visit again. However each time everything looks different. I always love that each place is unique; each place has its flavor, its atmosphere, its people and smell, its food, and its light and color... No matter where you go, you will meet new people that speak same or different language. They live by the mountain, by the sea, or on the plains. Every place has human habitat.

If we can see the beauty of others, and appreciate our differences, this world might be a better place. But most of the time we just want to think we are "the only one", the God's chosen one - we don't want to see that every one actually has their own spot on earth. We especially don't want to see others' pain - and our pain as well.

Sumi ink and watercolor on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 33 by 17 inches. (Click for a larger image view.)

Life and Death, Coming and Going

2010-04-23T14:02:00.005-04:00

Chinese calligraphy: life and death, coming and going. 生來死去，死去生來.

We are, simple human beings, standing in between the heaven and earth. When we come, we are naked; when we go, nothing we can bring with. Just a simple person, no name, no fame, no status, no material gain... Just a simple person coming and going, going and coming. If every lifetime we can gain some wisdom, learn some lessons - we are doing good.

Just a simple life, a life that is full of wonders: happy and sad, sweet and sour. Every moment is so precious! That is the one and the only moment of life. The sunshine, the wind, the bees, the birds, the smile, the tears... every emotion, every memory.

Chinese calligraphy, sumi ink on rice paper. The size is 19 by 26 inches. The seals are an image of a bird at the top, and my name "Chin's heart" at the bottom.

Memory of Home, Sweet and Vast

2010-04-07T17:31:00.006-04:00

Memory of home - mountain, river, and sea. Moist, rich foliage, powerful. Never-ending changing scenery. Heaven and earth connect together. It is a natural, green island on the Pacific - Taiwan, also known as Formosa.

Sumin ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper with gold flakes tan ground. The size is 18 by 26 inches.

Mountain and Water

2010-04-01T17:01:00.006-04:00

Mountain and water 山水. Mountains and rivers. Human beings come and go; sentient beings come and go - so is the nature. "Everything changes." Suzuki Roshi talked about what the Buddha taught. We cannot stay forever. Every living moment is precious.

Landscape painting. Sumi ink on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 38 by 18 inches. Will put seals when purchased.

Primordial Energy 02

2010-03-29T15:59:00.003-04:00

Chinese calligraphy - Primordial Energy - 元氣.

Rainbow color of energy; vitality. If we find the source, it is abundant.

Chinese calligraphy. Sumi ink and watercolor on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 13 by 19 inches. Will put seals when purchased.

Primordial Energy

2010-03-27T15:24:00.002-04:00

Chinese calligraphy - Primordial Energy - 元氣.

People think "Chi" is a mysterious thing, but it is not. It is in the living things, all sentient beings. In China, Japan and Korea, people use this word a lot. We see a person's health from his chi, his yun chi - primordial energy. It doesn't need to be loud and bold, it can be gentle and strong. And that will last for a long time.

Chinese calligraphy. Sumi ink on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 13 by 19 inches. The seals are my name Chin and an image of a rabbit.

Just Be

2010-03-26T15:52:00.002-04:00

"Give yourself a break. That doesn’t mean to say that you should drive to the closest bar and have lots to drink or go to a movie. Just enjoy the day, your normal existence. Allow yourself to sit in your home or take a drive into the mountains. Park your car somewhere; just sit; just be. It sounds very simplistic, but it has a lot of magic. You begin to pick up on clouds, sunshine and weather, the mountains, your past, your chatter with your grand-mother and your grandfather, your own mother, your own father. You begin to pick up on a lot of things. Just let them pass like the chatter of a brook as it hits the rocks. We have to give ourselves some time to be.

We’ve been clouded by going to school, looking for a job — our lives are cluttered by all sorts of things. Your friends want you to come have a drink with them, which you don’t want to do. Life is crowded with all sorts of garbage. In themselves, those things aren’t garbage, but they’re cumbersome when they get in the way of how to relax, how to be, how to trust, how to be a warrior. We’ve missed so many possibilities for that, but there are so many more possibilities that we can catch. We have to learn to be kinder to ourselves, much more kind. Smile a lot, although nobody is watching you smile. Listen to your own brook, echoing yourself. You can do a good job.

In the sitting practice of meditation, when you begin to be still, hundreds of thousands, millions, and billions of thoughts will go through your mind. But they just pass through, and only the worthy ones leave their fish eggs behind. We have to leave our-selves some time to be. You’re not going to see the Shambhala vision, you’re not even going to survive, by not leaving yourself a minute to be, a minute to smile. If you don’t grant yourself a good time, you’re not going to get any Shambhala wisdom, even if you’re at the top of your class technically speaking. Please, I beg you, please, give yourself a good time."
~Extract from Chögyam Trungpa, The Great Eastern Sun

Chinese calligraphy: Just be 祇是存在. Sumi ink on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 20 by 19 inches. The seals are a red dot and an image of a rabbit.

"Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes"

2010-03-23T17:56:00.006-04:00

The unstoppable yearning of going somewhere... anywhere... be free. What is freedom? Which land is the final destiny? We keep searching and searching, for food, for love, for some little warming heart. Where is the journey leading?

Blind Willie McTell sang: "Hand me my travelin' shoes..." We just let ourselves traveling on and on. But, if we cannot find it here, we cannot find it anywhere. No place will be home. That is sad.

Sumi ink and watercolor on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 19 by 19 inches.

Spring Dog

2010-03-11T09:50:00.004-05:00

The spring is almost here... Chinese calligraphy: Spring Dog 春犬. Calling of the spring...

Sumi ink on bamboo paper, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 7 by 16 inches. The seals are a red dot and image of a rabbit.

Calming the Mind, Seeing the Reality

2010-03-09T18:52:00.004-05:00

If you can calm the mind, you can see the true face of the reality. It will be like the reflection of the mirror; clear, reflective, with depth. We can see through the materialistic outlook - seeing through the layers. We can hear more - longing, pain, joy, asking for help... We can see ourselves and others. Calming the mind is the first step.

Chinese calligraphy: Calming the Mind 靜心. Sumi ink on rice paper. Mounted on board. The size is 16 by 9 inches. I will add my seal later on.

Nature is Endless

2010-03-05T17:47:00.005-05:00

Mountains and rivers are endless; human life has its limits. 山川無盡，人有窮.

Chinese calligraphy with landscape on rice paper. The size is 19 by 14 inches. The seal is "walking in the sky."

Spring is Coming 02

2010-03-03T18:30:00.003-05:00

Chinese calligraphy with landscape: "Spring is coming; snow is melting like feather; winter has gone." 春生化雪如片羽；冬已去.

Sumin ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper with gold flakes tan ground. The size is 17 by 26 inches. Stamped with an image of a bird, and my name "Chin".

Spring is Coming

2010-02-27T15:15:00.005-05:00

Chinese calligraphy with landscape: "Spring is coming; winter is ending." 春生，冬盡.

Sumin ink and watercolor on Chinese rice paper with gold flakes tan ground. The size is 12 by 13 inches. Signed with my name "Chin", stamped. Framed.

Joy of the World

2010-02-24T23:28:00.002-05:00

Joy of the world. I can sing a song every day for you. The song of dancing color and form.

Sumi ink and water color on silk, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 17 by 21 inches. The seal is an image of a bird, which is part of my first name.

A True Heart, A Genuine Heart

2010-02-20T16:03:00.011-05:00

The meditation practice softens our heart. It leads us to our true heart. If we cannot get in touch with our own heart, and feel others' heart... why do we practice? Are we just trying to kid ourselves ant think that we are doing something important? Are we thinking we are a better, superior person? Are we pretend to be different from others?... We are not so different, after all: we eat, we sleep, we love, we worry. We long to connect to each other.

Our true heart, our genuine heart. The most precious thing; the wish-fulfilling jewel. It is genuine and light, full of joy and sadness.

Chinese calligraphy "true heart, genuine heart - 真心." Sumi ink on paper. The size is 12 by 16 inches. The seal is an image of a lotus.

Answer of the Buddha

2010-02-19T16:33:00.006-05:00

"Yes, there are lots of pain, suffering, and unhappiness in the world. But if you open your eyes, if you look around, if you look at the sky - you will see an open sky with birds and clouds flying by... You will see other people's suffering. And you will feel you are part of everything. You are not so alone like you think."

This is the conversation that I imagine Buddha would answer to some inquisitors.

Sumi ink and water color on silk, lined on canvas and mounted on hard board. The size is 17 by 21 inches. The seal is my name: "Chin's Heart."

Joyful Marks

2010-02-17T21:52:00.004-05:00

I often forget how simple life could be. I forget all I have is this moment of breath - breathe in, breathe out. My mind is always somewhere else, or no where to be found. I often lost in my chain of thoughts, emotion dramas, hopes and disappointments.

The immediacy of brush works would bring me back to this moment. It shows, when my mind is mindless. It is a good combination of mindfulness and awareness practice - aware of the marks n the empty paper space - each mark is a mark of living.

Sumi ink on Japanese drawing paper. The size is 12 by 16 inches.

Light Snow, Still Air

2010-02-04T16:50:00.005-05:00

Light snow, still air. 小雪；靜空。

Back to art after finishing editing a book. Remembering watching the light, white snow falling in the still air yesterday morning. All quiet.

Chinese calligraphy. Sumi ink on paper. The size is 24 by 18 inches. The seal is an image of a bird (part of my first name), signed with "Chin".