ProjectsArt Exchanges – The Great Cincinnati/Liuzhou Paint Out (2019)

“The Great Cincinnati/Liuzhou Paint Out” (2019)

A Sister Cities cultural exchange project for CinLiu Committee. 8 Chinese and 5 Cincinnati artists joined company over five days in July for plein air painting around Cincinnati, culminating in a month-long exhibition of the group’s works at CAZA Sikes in Oakley, Ohio. Jan was Cincinnati lead artist with Cin Liu Committee support by Joe Hamrick and Beth Tu Hoffman Huddleston and Liuzhou delegation leadership by Prof. He Zhenhai. Images created ranged from 9” x 12” to 16” x 20” and were on paper, panel and canvas.

  • Day 1: CAZA Sikes and Basilica of the Assumption: The project begins at CAZA Sikes with Jan welcoming the group and Beth translating

  • Day 1: CAZA Sikes and Basilica of the Assumption: The Chinese artists were invited to demonstrate over 2 hours their methods of image creation.

  • Day 1: CAZA Sikes and Basilica of the Assumption: Huang Chao Cheng demonstrates wet into wet watercolor for the dramatic sky and middle ground of his landscape.

  • Day 1: CAZA Sikes and Basilica of the Assumption: Huang CanCan creates an oil portrait sketch of Cincinnati artist David Mueller based on an Iphone photograph he took at the demonstration session.

  • Day 1: CAZA Sikes and Basilica of the Assumption: The artists visit and work at the Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, KY

  • Day 1: CAZA Sikes and Basilica of the Assumption: Marlene Steele’s watercolor of David Mueller painting at the Basilica in Covington

  • Day 1: CAZA Sikes and Basilica of the Assumption: David Mueller’s oil on panel sketch of the Basilica

  • Day 2: Spring Grove Cemetery: Qin Jigang in contemplation of the pond

  • Day 2: Spring Grove Cemetery: Jan’s watercolor sketch at Spring Grove

  • Day 2: Spring Grove Cemetery: David Mueller’s oil painting at Spring Grove

  • Day 2: Spring Grove Cemetery: Huang Chao Cheng’s watercolor sketch at Spring Grove

  • Day 2: Spring Grove Cemetery: He Pingjing’s watercolor sketch at Spring Grove

  • Day 2: Spring Grove Cemetery: The outcome of a couple of hours of morning painting by one group including works by He Zhenhai, Zhang Jufang and Huang Jing

  • Day 3: Eden Park: photo in front garden of Krohn Conservatory

  • Day 3: Eden Park: watercolor sketch by Jan of zinnias and watertower

  • Day 3: Eden Park: Huang Chao Cheng at Eden Park

  • Day 3: Eden Park: Twin Lakes setting

  • Day 3: Eden Park: Jan’s watercolor sketch at Twin Lakes

  • Day 3: Eden Park: Zhang Jufang’s watercolor of trees at Twin Lakes

  • Day 3: Eden Park: Christine Kuhr’s oil study of the “Cormorant Fisherman” statue at Twin Lakes

  • Day 3: Eden Park: Li Xiang’s impression of trees at Twin Lakes

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: Huang Chao Cheng at

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: Huang CanCan’s oil painting of Roebling Bridge

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: Ellina’s painting at Spring Grove and Christine’s oil painting of Roebling Bridge

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: He Pingjing’s watercolor of Covington across the river

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: The setting in Smale Park’s Founders Garden

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: “Corrie’s Garden” watercolor sketch by Jan

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: Jan painting at Smale Riverfront Park

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: setting at a pathway at Smale

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: Jan’s watercolor sketch of the pathway

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: He Zhenhai and David Mueller converse via Google Translate

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: Marlene Steele and Bonbon sketching

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: Jufang and He Zhenhai painting

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: The fruit of the day at Smale Riverfront Park

  • Day 4: Smale Riverfront Park: A serendipitous interview with professionals from Chinese national media who were visiting Cincinnati on the same day. All of China learned about our artists’ exchange within hours of our interview.

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: Reid Sikes verifies his list of 75 paintings and drawings on display

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: Qin Jigang signs a painting

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: David and Nathan Mueller review the works

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: Half of the gallery is devoted to the Paint Out works

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: The Chinese at the opening

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: Beth and Jufang at the opening

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: Four guys in hats ready for the opening

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: The entire Paint Out team

  • Day 5: Conclusion of the Plein Air work and Artists’ Reception at CAZA Sikes: The Cincinnati artists are Jan Brown Checco, Ellina Chetverikova, Marlene Steele, Davis and Nathan Mueller and Christine Kuhr.