All these paintings are from the hand of painter and calligrapher Hao Xiaoshi. Mr. Hao, now 88, was born to an educated family in Zunhua, Hebei. He started to write when he was 6 years old, and by the time he was 8, he was already an apprentice of a local drawing master.

Mr. Hao specialized in Jiaomo paintings which means to use ink without adding water to it. It requires a lot of work from the wrist, and the stroke from the brush gives a natural touch to the paintings. Because of the hard work involved, this type of Jiaomo painting is not as popular with today’s painters.

This work contains 3 poems from Du Fu, the famous poet from Tang Dynasty.

Mr. Hao is determined to write 5 more poems to complete the famous 8 before he retires.

For 20 years, Mr. Hao has been working with foreign ministry officials and international businessmen in the calligraphy field. He wants to use his work to show the world this ancient Chinese tradition and for the world to share in our Chinese culture.