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Hi,Dear Friends
How are you? Did you have a good week and start a new week with a big smile? I do hope you did.
On my side, I am still on my 12th American trip and had a rather tight week.
I drafted two letters of intent for cooperation and signed one of them, as well as another contract.
According to the plans from September and November 2024, my first and second "Cross-cultural and Comprehensive Art Workshops" have more than fulfilled their tasks (the first one was planned to provide lessons for 24 hours, but I actually offered 44 hours; and the second one, which was planned to provide lessons for 20 hours, I offered 50 hours). Both were supposed to be completed by February 22 and February 28, 2025 (last Friday and Saturday), but they are still ongoing and will not be finished until next Thursday and Sunday (March 6 and 9, 2025) or possibly later.
Why?
The first reason is that I did not think my students -- all beginners in Chinese painting, could master the techniques of Gongbi (Traditional Chinese realistic) painting by practicing just one piece – the Lotus you have seen in my previous letters. They need to practice at least one more time, completing a second piece to solidify what they have learned.
The second reason is that I was moved by my students' enthusiasm for studying Chinese culture and art. Can you imagine? Last Friday, the second group of students worked from 12:00 pm until 10:45 pm for the second time, and last Saturday, the first group of students worked from 2:00 pm until 8:30 pm as usual.
I am glad to see that after undergoing a somewhat challenging 5-week Chinese Gongbi Painting training totaling over 38 hours and 28 hours for the first and second groups respectively, they have shown obvious improvement in their color sense, especially with Chinese ink. For example, when I distributed the Chinese ink mixed with water for their flower leaves and branches, they remarked, "Wow! The concentration of this ink is much different from what you prepared for the lotus leaves the first time. Why?"
 Right now, when you walk into our classrooms, you may find that no one is working on a piece of thin paper as many students did on their first Chinese Gongbi Painting. Now, everyone knows how to attach Chinese Shu Xuan (Cooked Rice Paper) to a board using the necessary process and the correct method, allowing them to work in a very formal style. Also, I showed the second group of students how to stretch a piece of silk over the painting frame last Friday.
The most important improvement is that these students first completed their initial Chinese Gongbi paintings under somewhat poor and informal working conditions but have now started their second works in improved and more formal settings. Now, they have reached a new level where they are not only experimenting with and enjoying the process but have also developed a deep respect and great love for ancient Chinese culture and art, taking their practice much more seriously.
This is one of the stories: Last Friday, the second group organized by Mrs. Yan Weirong, a senior instructor and coordinator of Asian arts at Missouri State University, worked at my house (they moved into here because a Chinese Gongbi Painting requires extensive time, and it was difficult to find a place that allowed them to stay for an extended period, of course I offer the place for free ) for over 5 hours until 5:30 PM. I needed to have a work dinner with one of my former work partners, Mrs. Wanda, at a restaurant. However, they did not want to leave and requested to stay at my house to continue working until I returned, promising not to “tear up” my floor while I was out. After I came back, we worked until 10:45 PM. Subsequently, after the farewell lunch at the church, they worked for 6 hours until 8:30 PM last Saturday,
 As for the farewell lunch held by the Chinese Springfield Church for me last Saturday, it was filled with so much sincerity, warmth, and friendship. A group of parents of child students cooked or bought a lot of delicious food; children and young students created beautiful cards for me and recited/sang a favorite Chinese ancient poem. In return, I gave gifts and chocolates to every child.
In the delightful atmosphere, Pastor Philip Cheuk presented me with a certificate. Dr. Yuhua Qiao read it and translated it into Chinese. Every adult student offered me warm encouragement and friendly wishes. All of us were very happy and looked forward to studying Chinese paintings and reading poetry in the upcoming year of 2026.
With a grateful heart, I am going to do my best to repay these kind brothers and sisters by not only helping these participants (both children and adults) but also contributing to this world through gradually building our small “Cross-cultural and Comprehensive Art Workshop” into a long-term cooperative project, thereby making due contributions to cultural and artistic exchanges among纠
 The last but not least important thing I did in the past week was to meet people and have working meals. In this past week, I met with four groups of people: art professors, an art gallery receptionist, a missionary, and a lawyer, and had working dinners four times.
I have reconnected with some long-lost work partners and am building or trying to build some new professional connections.
What a tight and meaningful week it was!
How about you? Do you have anything special to share?
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Sincerely, I am just a lifelong learner in the arts of painting, music, English, management and Chinese art teaching, and work on the website in my free time. I would really like to do something with what I have learned and make this website a little electronic bridge for cross-cultural and integrated/comprehensive art and Chinese language studying. This way, I can help others while improving myself.
Thank you always for your understanding, guidance and assistance and if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to write to info@ebridge.cn .
Shirley Yiping Zhang
March 4, 2025
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