Leaving Blank Space --

A Painting and Living Wisdom

The concept of 'liu bai' (留白), or leaving blank space, is a profound living wisdom rooted in Daoist emptiness (虚) and Buddhist void (空). It's also one of cornerstone aesthetics in traditional Chinese painting. Unlike traditional western paintings that usually fill the entire canvas, Chinese paintings intentionally use blank space to evoke an ethereal feeling, allowing

the painting to 'breathe' and viewers to imagine. I believe this unique approach to 'liu bai' marks one of the major distinctions between Chinese and Western art.

Having been born and raised in China, Chinese philosophy and art have left an indelible mark on my heart, they run in my veins. Less than seven years ago, when I transitioned from watercolor to oil painting, I needed a subject that was both personally engaging and not overly intimidating as I explored the new medium. Birds immediately came to mind. Not only are they a familiar sight in my own backyard, but they're also a beloved subject in traditional Chinese and western painting—a perfect choice, embodying the saying, 'though the sparrow is small, it possesses all vital organs' (麻雀虽小五脏俱全). This made them an ideal vehicle for me to practice my oil painting techniques and brushstrokes, and the lessons learned can be applied to other subjects I believed.

Traditional Chinese Bird Painting

Though I was using the traditionally western medium of oil paint, I decided from the outset to infuse the series with 'liu bai' Chinese philosophy and aesthetics. My aim was to achieve 'xing shen jian bei' (形神兼备)—the balance between the likeness of form and the essence of spirit. In the Chinese view, an overemphasis on spirit can lead to a loss of form, just as too much focus on form can diminish the spirit.

Seven years have passed since I painted my first bird. During this time, I've completed well over 200 bird paintings, learning invaluable lessons about oil painting techniques and brushstrokes. As a result, I've grown significantly as an oil painter and artist. I've developed a distinctive and cohesive bird painting series that uniquely embraces Eastern aesthetics and the philosophy of 'liu bai,' effectively capturing the balance between spirit and likeness.

For many westerners, however, 'liu bai' can be a quite unfamiliar concept. I recall one instance when a customer bought a bird painting from me. After taking it home, she was surprised by the amount of visible blank canvas and returned it, hoping I could fill that 'empty' space with more paint.

Ancient Chinese wisdom holds that art, particularly painting, is inseparable from the wisdom of daily living. Indeed, painting is often viewed as a vessel for spiritual enlightenment and a form of meditation. 'Liu bai,' with its origins in Buddhist void and Daoist emptiness, extends beyond the canvas into our lives in many aspects. When applied to daily routines, it encourages us to keep our schedules uncluttered, always leaving time for leisure and spiritual renewal. In homemaking, it inspires us to create 'breathing room,' making our houses uncluttered. This timeless concept is beautifully echoed by today's simple living and minimalist movements.

I've since selected some of my favorite bird paintings and transformed them into a greeting card series called “Simplest Joy”. These cards have been very well-received and serve as a personal reminder of simple living, bringing the wisdom of 'liu bai' and its calming blank space into our everyday lives.