The River Merchant's Wife Painting

I painted ‘The River Merchant’s Wife II : And I will come out to meet you’ in 2017. It is a layered piece: the sky and sea in the background is one painting; the figure is another painting which is floated above and the broken porcelain is laid to represent the sails of the merchant's ship coming into view. This painting was inspired by a poem* I learned at school when I was about 11 years old. It has stayed with me ever since. I was captivated by this beautiful tale of love and romance simply told by a young woman who is waiting for the return of her beloved husband. The idea that a poet writing in eighth century China can portray thoughts and feelings comparable to twenty-first century experience shouldn’t surprise me…but it does! This is the second painting in the series which depicts the moment when she sees that his ship is in sight and soon her beloved husband will be home. I use ancient art media which have stood the test of time - beeswax, pigments, gold. Beeswax gives colour a beautiful translucence making it seem as if light glows from within the painting. Working with gold leaf is a delicate business needing patience and practice to place that filigree just as I want it. Colour suspended in beeswax, paired with pure gold, makes for an opulent visual experience. The paper support is Fabriano made from 100% cotton fibre (300gsm / 140lb). I deliberately tear the edges to appear as a fragment. My signature is etched into gold in the bottom right of the painting. *The River-Merchant’s Wife: A Letter Translated by Ezra Pound (1885 – 1972) from Li Po (701- 62). This is the final stanza: If you are coming down through the narrows of the river Kiang, Please let me know beforehand, And I will come out to meet you As far as Cho-fu-Sa.

Painting:Color on Paper

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:15 W x 15 H x 0.3 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.