chinese

Free Photo Download: Chinese Calligraphy Pattern

in asian / background / chinese / free download / photo / shaire productions / shaireproductions / sherrie thai / texture / www.shaireproductions.com May 14, 2010

Chinese Calligraphy Pattern

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Here is a simple photo of Chinese calligraphy that could be used as a background for both commercial and non-commercial/personal work. Simply click on the image above and go to “All Sizes” to download various sizes. This is part of my Creative Commons library of free backgrounds. Enjoy!

Photos: Angel Island Immigration Station

in chinese / documentary photographer / photography / www.shaireproductions.com November 13, 2009

Carved Chinese Poetry at Angel Island

Fence and Building

Building Interior

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

Here are some photos of my visit to the Angel Island Immigration Station near San Francisco. Despite the notion that it was the “Ellis Island of the West”, Angel Island was about “exclusion”, mainly for the many Chinese immigrants. The poetry carved into the walls were visual lamentations of some detained.

Photo: Protection Spell

in chinese January 28, 2009

Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and rememberence — memories, relationships, and the deceased. I was lucky enough to celebrate Chinese New Year with my grandparents. They are practicing Buddhists, but also incorporate Taoist traditions.

After bowing three times to honor the ancestors, joss or spirit papers were burned as an offering to the ancestors–so they would have “money” and other items to use in the afterlife. After the items were placed in the flames, a “protection spell” was chanted. During this, my grandfather poured wine while walking in a circle. In many old religions and mysticism, a circle is a commonly used symbol–protecting everything within a circle and preventing negative energies from corrupting the elements.

Artwork: Chinese Lion Dance

in art / artwork / Chinatown / chinese / digital art / mixed media / shaire productions / shaireproductions / sherrie thai January 24, 2009

Posted by Sherrie Thai of ShaireProductions.com

Chinese Lion Dance

Chinese Lion Dance is in honor of the Chinese/Lunar New Year, so many happy thoughts going out!

Like many of my recent pieces, this was created initially by hand with pen/ink, then scanned and cleaned up in Photoshop. I created the elements, primarily the lion and ground, separately (see Chrysanthemum Floral Design post), then collaged them together and added slight color highlights. I wanted to keep the colors of the lion very subtle, so the viewer could concentrate on the details of the patterns, rather than be distracted by lots of color. Red is the Chinese color of luck and the symbol in the top right represents happiness.

I’ve been meaning to create an illustration of Chinese Lions and the Lunar New Year is a great opportunity. They’re always so fascinating, especially after performing with a troupe with some folks in Oakland (many moons ago). I never tire of the tradition nor the pageantry.

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