Donald Blue’s interest in Chinese culture began in the 1950’s when he lived in Taiwan with his family for a 3 year period. He began making pottery in the early 70’s and soon after took up the brush as a pottery decoration technique. A home-built clay slab-rolling machine and subsequent commitment to two-dimensional ceramic projects, further cemented Donald’s dedication to brushwork as a way of life (and livelihood). Two years of intensive study of painting and silk scroll mounting in Japan and Taiwan in the late 70’s broadened Donald’s interest in brushwork to include the classical medium of Chinese rice paper.
Recently, after 30 years of painting on porcelain and teaching brushwork, Donald has returned to the medium of paper and silk. Presenting his interpretation of classical Chinese themes (as well as Australian ones) in the traditional way, silk brocade is used to frame the paintings. Materials of the highest quality are used in the wet mounting process, using skills and techniques acquired at the Palace Museum in Taipei.
Donald Blue signs his work in the traditional way using a pen name he received from his teachers. The characters refer to both his first and last name and carry the poetic interpretation of “the happy painter”. The red seals serve to balance and authenticate the painting and reiterate Donald’s signature in classical seal script.
