Li Caiwang's Apprenticeship

1990 After the Dong Shouping Art Museum was completed in Jinci, Taiyuan, Li Caiwang visited it many times, studied it carefully, and became long-term friends with Dong Shouping. 1in the spring of 993, Cai Wang went to Beijing on business and visited Dong Lao with Cui, deputy director of Shanxi Beijing Office. At that time, Dong Shouping, who was nearly ninety years old, was painting for the State Guesthouse at Diaoyutai. After listening to Cui's introduction, I put down my pen and repeatedly said, "I am a fellow villager, welcome, welcome." Li Caiwang held Dong Shouping's hand and said, "Dong Lao, I have admired your old man for a long time. This visit has two meanings: first, it is entrusted by the provincial leaders to see you; Second, I like painting and calligraphy, and I want to learn from you. Dong Shouping asked Cai Wang's age and said, "I am forty years older than you, so let's forget to visit the teacher. Li Caiwang was deeply impressed to see a generation of masters of painting and calligraphy so modest. Cai Wang and Dong Lao hit it off the first time they met. They talked about books, paintings and life for more than an hour before saying goodbye.

Li Caiwang came to the door with his homework for the second time. Dong Lao commented: "There is strength, temperament, courage and atmosphere."

After Li Caiwang bid farewell to Dong Lao, he thought all the way: I worship Dong Lao as a teacher, and Dong Lao hasn't seen my works yet. Back in Shanxi, he carefully wrote down the word "master" and prepared to give it to Dong Lao. Not long after, Cai Wang went to Beijing again, just walking with a photographer. Thinking that Dong Lao was old, I discussed with him to take pictures of Dong Lao. At this time, Dong Lao has been admitted to the China-Japan Friendship Hospital. Li Caiwang opened the banner and said, this is my word, the first assignment I gave you. After careful study, Dong Lao said, "Well, I have strength, temperament, boldness of vision and great atmosphere."

Although in the hospital, Dong Lao talked with Li Caiwang for more than two hours. Since then, Li Caiwang has had "three wonders" in Beijing: China Art Museum, Rong Baozhai and Chef Dong. He talked with Dong Lao about the principle of being a man first and then writing and drawing. Contrary to Dong Lao's claim that painters and painters should stress character and have good cultural accomplishment. Cai Wang was deeply gratified when he looked back on the road he had traveled. He said that he accidentally took the right path, that is, writing poetry first, then learning books, and then learning painting. In the poem "To Mr. Dong Shouping, a Master of Calligraphy and Painting", he expressed his reverence for Dong Lao: Dong Mei, Dong Zhu and Dong Laosong were always affectionate, obsessed with calligraphy, and pursued Gu Zhuo, creating a master style. After studying under Dong Lao, Li Caiwang's painting and calligraphy art has achieved a new leap.

In April, 2005, Jin Baozhai of Taiyuan and friends in the painting and calligraphy circles suggested that Li Caiwang hold a solo exhibition of painting and calligraphy, but Wang was worried that someone would gossip and make up his mind. Just have the opportunity to travel, he came to ask Dong Lao's opinion. Later, Li Caiwang made up his mind, and calligraphy and painting hung up. The original week-long exhibition was delayed until the end of the month because of the sea of people at the entrance. I specially entrusted my grandson and painter Dong to congratulate me.

Although Dong Shouping is famous all over the world, he is indifferent to fame and fortune all his life, and has contributed many precious paintings and calligraphy to the war of resistance, disaster relief and the construction of the motherland. In 1994 alone, he donated 400,000 yuan for painting and calligraphy. Over the years, whoever asks Dong Lao for calligraphy and painting has always tried his best to satisfy him, never paying for it, and even has no spare money at home. In 2003, Cai Wang, one of Dong Shouping's favorite students, accompanied Chairman Qiao Shi, who was visiting Shaanxi, to visit the Dong Shouping Art Museum. During this period, Chairman Qiao Shi happily wrote an inscription for the Art Museum: "Shou Ping is a treasure of art garden". In mid-June, Cai Wang reported to Dong Lao the happy event of President Qiao Shi's inscription for the Art Museum by telephone. Dong Lao is very happy. Just a week before Dong Lao died.

On June 2, 2006, Kloc-0, Dong Lao passed away at the age of 93. On July 7th, when Cai Wang went to Beijing to attend the farewell ceremony of his body, he received a copy of Dong Shouping on Art printed by the Commercial Press. When Cai Wang was reading, he couldn't help but burst into tears. On the title page of the book, he wrote: Mr. Dong Shouping, a contemporary master of painting and calligraphy, died unfortunately when this book was published. His outstanding achievements attracted the attention of the world, and his death made the people of China sad. As a teacher, I feel sad.

To Cai Wang's great relief, at the farewell ceremony of Dong Lao's body, he was lucky to meet Mr. Qi Gong again. Cai Wang, who had close contact with Qi Gong, endured grief and sent the teacher the last journey.