Analysis of the Painting

The inscription in the painting is a Chinese proverb: “萝卜茄子各有所爱”

This small ink-wash painting features everyday vegetables, brimming with the charm of daily life and Eastern wisdom.

First Layer: The Beauty of Form—Simple Abundance

Using the “five shades of ink” technique, the painting depicts the most common household vegetables:

Chinese Cabbage: With its unfurled veins and fresh, lustrous ink tones, it symbolizes integrity, simplicity, and the warmth of home.

Radish: With its sturdy form and distinctive purple hue (purple radish) set against the ink’s texture, it symbolizes the earth’s bounty and unadorned sweetness.

Shiitake Mushrooms: With their round caps, they serve as an accent in the composition and symbolize the natural flavors of the mountains and fields.

Placed side by side, these three ingredients—unpretentious and free from extravagance—form the most fundamental yet abundant backdrop of the Chinese dining table. The varying shades of ink express the most direct tribute to the land and the labor of cultivation.

This is a humorous sketch brimming with the Zen of daily life and Eastern wisdom. By depicting the most ordinary radishes and cabbages and inscribing the phrase “To Each Their Own,” it reveals two profound truths:

Finding true flavor in the ordinary: True beauty and abundance are often hidden in the simplest, most everyday details of life (such as radishes and cabbages). To appreciate this simplicity is to understand the art of living.

Finding harmony in diversity: “To Each Their Own” advocates a life philosophy and wisdom that respects differences and embraces diversity. It humorously reminds us that the world is enriched by diversity, and life is shaped by our choices. There is no need to force uniformity; appreciating each other’s differences is the beginning of harmony.

Therefore, this fan not only brings a cool breeze but also a breath of life wisdom—one that evokes a knowing smile and is filled with a spirit of inclusivity.

Materials and medium

Ink, watercolour, rice paper, backingpaper.

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Shipping

Standard Registered Mail (Traceable):

10–25 business days (typically faster for Japan, South Korea, and Singapore; may be slower for the EU and remote areas, depending on the country and customs clearance)

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Estimated 3–7 business days

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A PROMISE TO COLLECTORS

Hand-Painted Originals: Each piece is an original work hand-painted by the artist and is one-of-a-kind.

Signature/Seal + Certificate of Authenticity Number: Clear and traceable artwork information (dimensions/medium/year/serial number)

Customizable: Typically ready in about 15 days (excluding international shipping time)

Framing and Delivery: Available framed or unframed; we provide framing recommendations and secure packaging solutions for international shipping to ensure the artwork is ready for display. Specific details can be discussed further based on the client’s needs.