By Jinfu Zeng/ Tianhao
I am Zeng Jinfu, born in a remote village in Kanding, Zhubei City, Hsinchu County. My childhood was joyous and free-spirited, filled with rich, colourful memories. As a child growing up in the countryside, I herded cows, played by the stream, caught small fish, climbed trees to catch cicadas and scarabs, and picked wildflowers and plants. With the passage of time, I fulfilled my duty with the armed forces and later resigned from service. I settled in the north, Taipei Shilin, and started my own business. I spent a good portion of my lunch breaks practicing Chinese calligraphy or doodling. I met a friend whose wife is a Chinese painting teacher specializing in the Sijun technique. Her expertise in the area inspired my devotion to studying ink painting. After two years of studying under her guidance, she and her family immigrated to the United States. But this did not stop my eagerness to learn more about painting. I decided to seek another teacher to further my study of freehand paintings of flowers and birds. Throughout my childhood, I witnessed the natural changes and the seasonal dynamics of the vegetation, and these experiences greatly influenced my paintings of the flowers and birds. The landscape of the countryside brings me peace, giving me a deep sense of harmony and contentment.
