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I recently returned from a 10 day painting trip to Southern China. What an absolutely wonderful experience it was.

I feel very honored to have been invited by my friend Wei Jason Situ to join a group of about 15 fabulous artists traveling to China to paint. Painting in Jason's hometown and surrounding villages and cities, we witnessed the quickly disappearing old-world way of life as China moves towards modernization.

Among some of the most endangered are these old fishing boats. Many people still live in them, but the government is moving these people into modern apartments. On the surface it sounds like progress. But the issues are more complex (this isn't the place for the debate).

But capturing these boats in paintings is critical, since they may be obsolete in a few years. They've been an important historical way of life for centuries.

Who can resist capturing an iconic image of a Chinese worker in the rice paddies?

From my vantage point, this woman appeared to be working in the rice field. In reality, she was raking/spreading the drying rice on pavement between 2 golden fields. After her chores were done, she rested under a tree near where I was painting.

Despite the air being heavily polluted in Southern China, it makes for gorgeously moody, hazy sunrises. Getting out of bed at 5:30 on day 2 when I still had jet lag was worth it to capture this sunrise.

From the quiet stillness of this scene, you wouldn't know that less than a block away there was a lively, bustling market with thousands of people crammed in the narrow streets and alleyways bartering while others tried to pass through on mopeds, bikes, cars, trucks, and every homemade vehicular contraption you could imagine.

China is a country of contrasts. From ancient to ultra modern on the same city street. With dingy grey buildings adorned with brilliant red decor and signs. It's a place where bucolic farms and gardens are intertwined with increasing urbanization.

It is a country of enchantment. The people are beautiful, warmly welcoming, generous, and overall happy. It was an experience I will treasure. It was an inspiring trip that will influence my art for years.

To see a few more of my favorite paintings from this trip, click here.

Final note, it was a real honor to paint alongside great artist friends (both old and new) such as Jason Situ, his brother Michael Situ (who have both lived in the U.S. for about 30 years), Calvin Liang (who also grew up in the nearby city of Guangzhou but now lives in California), Kevin Machperson, John Cosby, Joe Paquet, Andy Evansen, Bryan Mark Taylor, Joshua Clare, Eric Bowman, Ken Caldwallader, and Chuck Kovacic. Mian Situ, another China-born California artist who was mostly visiting family, joined us for a couple days. Also, several local Chinese artists, teachers and students painted along side us each day.

The camaraderie was wonderful. Unlike many competitive plein air events, we all just had fun painting, forging friendships, and eating new foods together (pigeon heads for example).

Click here to see more China paintings.