At the age of 78, Wang embarked on her painting journey under the guidance of Shen Jianhua, an artist who traveled and resided in Dali. Shen encouraged her and other female students to draw inspiration from their everyday lives and create their own compositions. The women took their teacher's advice, depicting farm animals being fed, children being cared for, dancing in celebration, and other scenes from their daily routines.

Among the students is 63-year-old Zhao Xinlian. She and her husband spent nearly a decade fishing on Erhai Lake, setting out each evening and returning by the next morning. These memories have become scenes that Zhao frequently paints.

For these elderly women, painting is more than just a passion; it's a crucial source of income. A single piece can fetch anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of yuan, enabling them to live a better life.

Duan Suhang contributed to this story.