The Versatile Master Artist

Koizumi Katsuko found a picture of the ”Lu’an Cathedral” on her phone and handed it to Gu Tongxiang, explaining,

”Lu’an Cathedral is the most magnificent Gothic structure remaining in France. Mr. Monet once created more than thirty works about this cathedral, painted under different sunlight at dawn, noon, and dusk. The sky’s base color varies from blue, yellow to rose. This thunderstorm theme, however, even Mr. Monet hadn’t painted.”

Koizumi Katsuko stared at the frame in her father’s hand, then turned her head to look at the oil painting drying by the door.

She finally could not hold back and spoke.

”It seems like there are only two colors: the white church and the dark sky, yet the colors change subtly everywhere. How is this thundercloud painted? This rolling and flowing feeling, it’s as if it’s alive. It’s painted so well.”

Koizumi Katsuko said this to Gu Weijing.

Her father had told her that the biggest flaw in her current works was the lack of emotions.

Always hollow and lifeless objects—it was Uncle Sakai’s critique.

Koizumi Katsuko could feel what her father meant, but knowing was not as easy as doing.

No matter how many different brushwork techniques she tried in the studio, there was not much progress.

But how should emotions be expressed?

She had been troubled by this question for a long time.

Koshiba Tarou’s award-winning piece at the art exhibition, ”Sunrise Osaka,” was the best expression of emotions among young painters she had seen.

No matter whether she liked her mother’s hint about connecting with Xiaosong Gallery or not.

Koizumi Katsuko would not deny that Koshiba Tarou was a pretty good painter.

However, the Austrian separatist painting style influenced by his father, almost completely abandoning line expression, with large areas of color spread freely, the vague and ambiguous emotions presented, were completely incomparable to the difficulty of Gu Weijing’s copied work.

Even judging from the theme alone.

”Sunrise Osaka”—this subject itself is quite clever. The red sun, the light blue sky, the dark blue sea. These color combinations almost allow you to paint freely without deviating from the theme.

But Gu Weijing’s replication of the feeling from ”Old Church Under the Thunderstorm Night”—the sense of thunderclouds swirling in the dark clouds with a hint of lightning not fully revealed, gave Koizumi Katsuko a completely new impression.

She originally thought there wasn’t anyone among her peers who painted better than her.

Seeing Gu Weijing’s painting at this time, even though it is a copied work, besides admiration, she also had a slight competitive spirit.

”How did you paint the base color... mixing red, blue, and gray...? No, you don’t need to tell me. Can you give me a palette and canvas? I want to study it myself.”

Koizumi Katsuko knitted her brows slightly, contemplating the expression in the oil painting.

Gu Tongxiang brought over the paint box and palette.

Koizumi Katsuko received the painting tools, found a cushion, sat cross-legged in front of Gu Weijing’s replicated work, and began trying color combinations.

”Then Professor Yakai, what do you think is the market value of this painting?”

Although this question was a bit tacky, Gu Tongxiang still wanted to know how much money the painting could sell for.

”A few tens of thousands of dollars.”

Uncle Jiu Jing roughly estimated.

”In terms of market trading, collectors actually value investment prospects and the creator’s fame more. This piece itself is very good, but the painter is somewhat lacking. It falls under the category where artistic value exceeds market value. This can’t be helped.”

Uncle Sakai thought for a moment: ”If you want to sell this piece, I personally would be willing to offer sixty thousand dollars. I can also recommend a few friends among Japanese collectors. But that’s probably about it.”

Gu Tongxiang took a deep breath through his nose.

Sixty thousand dollars,

In Yangon, the average monthly income is over a hundred dollars; sixty thousand dollars is equivalent to someone working without eating or drinking for fifty years.

The first painting bought by his grandson created the most expensive price record for any artwork handled by Gu’s Calligraphy and Painting Shop over the past five generations.

Professor Yakai seemed to genuinely like this painting.

For a piece by a small painter with no story to tell, carrying only artistic appreciation attributes, the price was quite generous.

Even putting it up for auction probably wouldn’t sell for a higher price. In fact, if buyers came with the intent of making money through art speculation, it might even end up unsold.

But the old man still didn’t express his opinion and turned to Gu Weijing: ”This is your painting, you decide on your own, don’t feel pressured.”

”Sorry, Professor Yakai, I don’t want to sell this painting. I really like the dialogue with my painting. I want to spend some time properly copying it.”

”Think carefully, there’s always an opportunity for replication, but not everyone will offer such a high price.”

Uncle Sakai wasn’t angry, just gazing at Gu Weijing.

Gu Weijing shook his head.

He knew that Uncle Sakai had already offered a very high price, but he still didn’t want to sell.

”Sorry, Professor Yakai.”

Uncle Sakai seemed not only unoffended but even more appreciative of Gu Weijing. He patted Gu Weijing’s shoulder.

”It would be unjust if you don’t become a good painter. I suspect Professor Lin might not give me a chance. But if you really don’t have better options after graduating from college, you’re welcome at my studio.”

Since the person didn’t want to sell,

Uncle Sakai did not insist either.