《好朋友》布面油画 60x80cm 2009年

Innocence and passion
---The paintings of Xiongyi Li

It is possible to become an artist without formal training and education. There are many skills that need to be developed to become a good painter. Painting, like other arts, has two levels, one is skill, and the other one is measurement. These skills can be taught at a formal art school or college. It is possible to learn certain skills to become a good artist. However, in fact the formal education may stifle the intrinsic creativity of a talent artist, especially when the Arts Education becomes a solidified and rigid system. The technical skills of composition, placement and color mixing can be learned in a formal Arts Education program or informally by yourself.

To be successful as an artist, it is essential that you possess both talent and persistence. The talent is something that great artists are born with; often you will hear the phrase “he was born to be an artist”. To become truly great, you cannot rely on talent alone, it is also important that you work hard and hone your talents. To hone your talents you must practice your talents and skills on a regular basis.

Xiongyi Li is an artist who learned by self study, using a step by step learning guide to add skills to his naturally occurring talent. When you see Xiongyi Li’s paintings, you will observe that he has a keen sense of how to paint in a manner which captures the object’s shape and also the internal characteristics. His brush strokes create lines that are smooth and richly varied, the usage of colors are dramatic and yet harmonious at the same time. The composition of his painting is also unique and unconventional.

What attracted me the most were Xiongyi Li’s composition, lines and color choices which reflect his enthusiastic attitude towards life.  These enthusiasms came from the heart without pretense, and come across as completely natural and friendly. Xiongyi Li has a natural talent and has proven himself as a savvy artist.  Using the power of observation, he studied great works of previous artists and learned what great art looks like. He realized the basic principles and skills of drawing. Next he practiced his natural creative talents and developed it into a skill. His artwork reflects his own feelings for freedom and nature.

The important thing which makes me emotionally is that Xiongyi Li enjoys painting; when it is fun to do something it does not feel like hard work, it is more like playing. So when he is painting, he is having fun. He draws with such ease and it comes very natural to him. He is always sub-consciously exploring a variety of painting methods. From being obsessed with visual impression or indulging in fantasy art, or includes a measure of philosophy into his work. In his art, we can see his innocence and passion.

I think about that all the time. If he continues to do the following: continue training his natural born talents and maintain his creativity and heavenly-mindedness in nature and art, Xiongyi Li has a very bright future as a painter,

Dajian Shao
HuiGU Apartment
July, 2010