Chinese Painting

Artists:

Diana Meng (Master Artist)
Sarah Forsyth (Apprentice)

Patrick Chou (Apprentice)

Description of the Art Form

Chinese painting is a centuries-old art form using traditional materials and techniques to tell a story or express the vision of the Chinese artist. It is an important part of Chinese culture. It is taught in elementary and middle school in China and Taiwan, and is considered not only a painting lesson, but also a good mind training process.

Diana Meng (master artist)

Place of Birth: China
Current Place of Residence: Camp Hill, PA

1969, B.A., Chinese Culture University, Taiwan
1971, M.A., West Virginia University

Artist Statement

My teaching is especially geared toward children and teenagers. These students also include Chinese who were adopted by American parents. I feel that when these students take Chinese painting,, they not only learn how to paint but also to understand Chinese culture and heritage.

I am thankful for having the opportunity to have taught students born and raised in either my country or here in America.

Accomplishments/milestones

Diana Meng was born in Mainland China and grew up in Taiwan. She began learning Chinese painting during middle school. At the age of 18, she began private lessons with Mr. Yau, a famous Chinese artist. She and her husband Peter moved to Harrisburg over 30 years ago, and she has taught Chinese language and art classes in the area, including painting and calligraphy. She is currently a Business Analyst at Capital Blue Cross and teaches Chinese painting in her local community, including to members of the Central Pennsylvania Chinese Association and at the Chinese Cultural Arts Institute, to spread her knowledge of Chinese art and culture.

Sarah Forsyth (apprentice)

Place of Birth: Kentucky
Current Place of Residence: Harrisburg, PA

Artist Statement

My art form is Chinese painting. I started studying Chinese painting one year ago as an extension of my personal Chinese studies in language and dance. Chinese painting requires a strict technique: you hold the brush a certain way; you mix the ink a certain way; you dip your brush a certain way. I learned that once you paint a stroke, there is no going back—the ink has already stained the paper. Even though I was disappointed at the results of my first bamboo painting, I was hooked. I knew that I had to continue with Chinese painting.

To me, Chinese painting and the study of the art form is a natural progression in my growth as a Chinese-American. I hope to broaden my overall art experience and enhance my knowledge of the traditional art of my ancestors.

Accomplishments/milestones

Sarah Forsyth, a student at Central Dauphin High School, is Chinese-American. In addition to Chinese painting, she has studied the Chinese language and dance, and performed at the Chinese New Year celebration in 2000. She began taking Chinese painting classes with Diana Meng a year ago.

Patrick Chou (apprentice)
Current Place of Residence: Mechanicsburg, PA

Place of Birth: Kentucky
Current Place of Residence: Harrisburg, PA

Artist Statement

My art form is Chinese painting. I started studying Chinese painting one year ago as an extension of my personal Chinese studies in language and dance. Chinese painting requires a strict technique: you hold the brush a certain way; you mix the ink a certain way; you dip your brush a certain way. I learned that once you paint a stroke, there is no going back—the ink has already stained the paper. Even though I was disappointed at the results of my first bamboo painting, I was hooked. I knew that I had to continue with Chinese painting.

Accomplishments/milestones

Patrick Chou is a student at Cumberland Valley High School. He was raised in a bilingual home and can speak fluent Chinese, and was chosen to teach Chinese to students on the morning announcements at school during Chinese Month. He has been a student of the Chinese Cultural Arts Institute since 2004, where he is currently in the Chinese painting class taught by Diana Meng and a class on Chinese Yo-Yo. His art works have been displayed at the Whitaker Center, the Annual Student Recital at HACC, and the Harrisburg Music Fest. He also studies violin and piano, and has received numerous awards for his musical accomplishments.