Green wine 1951

Qi Baishi made this ink painting, "Green Wine," with delicate washes and bold strokes. Imagine him there, brush in hand, contemplating how to capture the essence of these simple objects. There’s a playful dialogue between the flower, the cups and the calligraphic script, all rendered in such different tones. I like how the flower is a burst of red energy, pushing against the monochrome. And those cups – so unassuming, yet placed with such care. Qi Baishi was clearly thinking about mark-making; those quick, confident strokes, laid down with a deep knowing. It reminds me that painting isn't just about representation, it’s about feeling your way through the world. It’s about intuition, and about finding new ways to express yourself. I always feel like painters are in conversation, reaching out and responding to one another across time. This painting, with its curious composition, makes me want to pick up my own brush.