Most folks know I love art. When I lived in China I was
lucky enough to take classes with art professor. She spoke as much English as I
spoke Chinese meaning NOT MUCH.
My teacher and I met at an art auction.
I converted her work but the price quickly went well beyond
my budget. I was horrified that the man who won didn’t seem to appreciate her
or her incredible talent. He just wanted the status of donating that much to
charity.
In my broken Chinese I told her how much I loved her work.
She gave me her number and address.
My friend called for me and scheduled a time for us to meet.
I thought I was going to her gallery but she had invited me to her home.
I found out that she was a retired art professor at one of
Suzhou’s colleges. I had nothing to lose so I asked if I could persuade her to
take me on as a student.
My friend translated.
The artist ran out of the room.
Had I insulted her?
Within 30 seconds she returned with a chopstick in hand and
held it out to me.
HOLY FUK! This was my karate kid moment. I could feel it
deep in my bones. The pressure built. I didn’t want to screw this up.
I took a deep breath and grasped the chopstick between my fingers
and thumb.
She snatched my hand and studied my finger placement.
I started to sweat. Did I do it right?
She looked me in the eye and said, “I teach you.”
I wanted to dance around the room but I settled for shaking
her hand and calling her teacher… or mouse because the words sound almost the
same.
Over the next six years while I lived in China, I created
seven pieces. Chinese Brush Stroke (or water color) is time consuming…
especially if you don’t know the language and have little talent for painting. She
taught me through demonstration and at times with hand over hand.
I included a few of my pictures.
Fun Facts:
*Many of the shades of green are made from Indigo Blue and
no yellow needed to be added.
*Chinese Water color is done with mostly water.
*You’re supposed to hold your water and your ink brush in
one hand (though if you’ve just had carpal tunnel surgery like me that’s not
possible).
*Students are not allowed to create original pieces. You
learn by reproducing what the Masters before you have made.
*My paintings were made by her tracing other artists designs
and then I was to paint them after practicing exactly what to do off page.
*My chop (signature stamp) was too “mannish” for my
teacher’s liking.
*After every class she made me eat watermelon > I don’t
like fruit. I ate it weekly for six years.
In The Temple of Heaven, Jordon Davis takes art class
from my teacher. While once I got past the idea of copying someone else’s work,
he does not. We see him struggle with her demands that he adhere to the rules.
In the end he negotiates and addresses his issues with drawing his own
boundaries.
The Temple of Heaven’s Blurb
Music is Tian Di’s life and his love, and he’s made plenty
of sacrifices. His career is finally taking off with his band, Made in China,
and he’ll continue to put music first... until he meets Jordon. Then insta-
lust becomes insta-love and a commitment to the future—no matter how difficult
it might be.
Jordon lives in a bubble constructed by his overprotective
older brothers, who are so controlling that they’ve kept him from dating. A
talented artist, Jordon managed to keep his success with a Japanese manga
publisher a secret from his family, but now he fears discovery. It’s easier to
let his brothers handle everything, but Jordon has reached his limit. He’s
ready to draw some boundaries so he can be his own man and face all the
challenges that come with that.
Their families and careers aren’t the only obstacles. Jordon
must accept his identity as a gay man who doesn’t top or bottom. Fortunately,
Tian Di—and his special talents—help Jordon open up to his sexuality in an
erotic adventure that spans Japan and China, and with love, luck, hard work,
and open minds, will end in a happily ever after.
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