Blossom over the lake Painting

In 2024, the Year of the Dragon for Asians, the dragon is perceived as a creature balancing reality and illusion, making it challenging to represent with concrete imagery. Hence, I chose to paint a branch of cherry blossoms, symbolizing the spring atmosphere and the auspicious energy of the dragon. I depicted two intertwined cherry branches in the form of the "二龙腾飞" a pair of dragons soaring upwards, symbolizing the takeoff of one's career. In the Eastern tradition, the new year is often associated with the symbol of fish, as there is a belief that "年年有鱼(余)" (surplus year after year) brings prosperity throughout the year. The character "余" resembles the character "鱼" (fish), so beneath the water, I painted 12 koi fish. In Eastern beliefs, if a koi fish can surpass the Dragon Gate waterfall, it transforms into a dragon, hence the fish also embodies dragon-like qualities.