Title: Nesting
Size: 30"x 40"
Year: 2011
On a cold, snowy April day, Louise Chen found two geese making their nest in a ditch next to a noisy, heavily traveled road between businesses. The large dirty building does not show in her painting, however it remained in her mind as she worked. She felt the strong contrast between the stiff concrete erected by man, and the rhythm and repeat of the nesting birds. Man changed the background for their nests; Louise chose not to show it in her painting. By returning them to their natural setting, Louise showed her respect for the simplicity of nature. She admired the tenacity of the geese and through her art gave them back their original nesting place before littering, garbage, and rainwater run-off were added by man.
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As the geese wait for their eggs to hatch, snow gathers on their feathers. They look at each other with a great energy and love in spite of their snowy surroundings. They do not leave to seek shelter. Together they will do what needs to be done. The result of their strength will be new life.
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Louise tried to instill a sense of the simplicity and royalty of the couple in sharp contrast with the sharp spikes in the center blending to softer edges, just as life has challenging times balanced by harmony and peace.
She used only sepia and black to reflect the simplicity and harmony she felt in watching the gees.
Title: Facing Bitter Winter Together
Size: 40"x 60"
Year: 2015
Every stage of the life is beautiful. When snow covers all the ground , it leaves the dried cattail grass looking striking. The cattails look like they have a purpose to be there – to spread the seeds. They appear to be hardy and strong with leaves like sharpened blades. The tips of the leaves bend and twist in their own way, like winter dancers. Imagine when they were once green and straight. The snow enhances their earth-toned beauty at this stage of life.
These two turkeys were found at the farm where Louise always buys cage-free organic eggs. Louise was amazed by the way the tom displayed his feathers and projected the bright color on his head. After this inspiration, Louise tried to express the fluorescence and layers of turkeys’ feathers. The differences she found between the male and female turkey were intriguing.
Louise creates a touching atmosphere with the strolling turkey couple among the wild cattail clusters on a snow-covered, misty day. The yellow string on the male’s right foot symbolizes his freedom from limitations. For humans, this freedom could be retirement or relief from a burden, obligation, or when their souls are set free.
The misty, bitter cold makes the bond between this couple even stronger . They conquer the past and endure through the present together. Louise hopes that the viewers can be inspired and encouraged like she was.
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Title: The Beauty of Sharing
Size: 27"x 54"
Year: 2017
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Every year before Sandhill Cranes fly south, they rest in the corn field in the middle of journey. Farmers left some corns in the fields after harvest for the passing visitors - the beautiful Sandhill Cranes. What a beauty of sharing. Louise painted three cranes to imply the three sisters in her family. Feeling homesick and lonely, Louise is the only one of family living overseas in the cold Michigan.
Chant of the Lotus 24"x24" each 2016 Mixed Media ( Acrylic and Ink)
The Chinese character ”Tranquility” is carved on the stone. In the middle of the paintings is a Chinese seal that praises lotus’s unstained beauty. The life cycle of lotus is as comforting as a soothing song. The lyrics of the chant are about the roots of lotus growing from muddy water; it endures heat and storm, nevertheless, its petals remain unsullied: clean and perfect. In the end, the petals fall and lotus transforms into a seed pod that bears everlasting energy. Imagine that the energy of lotus is reflected on the ripples of the water.
Title: You warm up my heart
Size: 20"x 30"
Year: 2009
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To find the true beauty from the creatures in the wild is not too hard. By using detailed style techniques, the close bonding of mother-baby monkey was described delicately.
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The bitter cold is traveling In the air , this effect is made possible by many layers of wash and leaving the paper white carefully.
Title: Searching for the Hidden Wisdom
Size: 33"x 61"
Year: 2005
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Louise found wisdom in these rocks on a family visit to Mackinac Island from the symmetry of the rock down to the tiny lichen in the crevices.
Search the painting for your own wisdom:
Forgiveness Forgiveness makes two people fit together just as two rocks touch with melting curves.
Balance The rocks are balanced but not at all the same. They are not symmetrical yet they achieve perfect balance. The rocks represent permanence in contrast with the fragile praying mantises which represent life. Even the insects show a balance - one is ambitious; one conservative. While the rocks stay in one place, the praying mantises are free to explore the earth. In so many ways, this painting illustrates the concept of yin and yang, or opposites that together make a complete whole in harmony.
Acceptance Accept a diversity of shapes, colors, textures that combine to create this pile.
Harmony In spite of their diversity, the rocks share a harmonious earthy color. So too we humans can share one earth in harmony.
Righteousness This pile of stones is a landmark helping people searching for direction. Our conscience plays this role for us in our minds.
Kindness People are never too great to help the weak. Notice how the weeds find shelter in the shade of big rocks.
Love The moss and lichen cannot survive if there is no moisture gathering in the holes and gaps of the rocks. God's love brings life and hope to the world.
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Title: Believing That Spring Will Come
Size: 35"x 63"
Year: 2015
When wandering through the Smoky Mountains, Louise came across many splendid scenes. She found rocks, trees, waterfalls, streams, mist, moss, lichen and many more just waiting to be painted. Louise was determined to take on the challenge of using a full sheet of rice paper to express the magnificence of a waterfall.
The fox sits by the torrential current, yet still is able to enjoy listening the meek sound of the buds popping and blooming. He symbolizes a person who is calm, patient and wise.
The whole painting describes an individual enduring the loneliness and bitterness in order to embrace a warm, colorful future. The flower buds on each twist show signs of a coming spring. Also, the strong flow of water from upstream represents the already melted snow. Spring is approaching and hope will come, too.
Moss and lichen bring life to plants and rocks. Their colors are soothing greens. Louise follows the traditional washing technique. After the first wash dries, Louise keeps repeatedly washing at least ten more times to create a moist look.
The future is unpredictable, just like the fading spots of the background covered by mist. We should keep a strong belief – whether it’s trust in God or one’s philosophy – that leads us to do the right thing and gives us hope of what’s to come.
Title: Launching and Returning
Size: 22"x 28"
Year: 2016
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Life is a journey of sailing. Every life story has a beginning and an ending. A dock is the beginning of adventure , also a finalization throughout joyful, worried and troubled period of life. A little dog is looking back at the end of old wooden lock in the mist. Is it waiting the launching or returning?
Title: Moment Before Empty Nest
Media: Watercolor / ink on rice paper
Size: 24"x 30"
Year: 2016
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The nest holds the memories. One red feather stuck in the nest. It could be the symbol of hard working parents. Letting go and hoping the young birds will return someday....
Title: In the Cold Dawn
Media: Pencil and Ink
Size: 30"x 24"
Year: 2017
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When doing the experiment of drawing on the rice paper with pencil, I am experiencing living without kids living at home.The cockatiels snuggle in the cold dawn when waiting for the sunrise.
Title: Bouquet of passion
Size: 22x28
Year 2010
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Trying to take the challenge of breaking rules. A very centered and geometric composition. I carefully arrange the contour and negative space , hoping to give the bouquet a new look
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