Fu Lirong paints at her studio in north China's Hebei Province. [Chinanews.com/Zhang Pengxiang]

A rural couple from Baixiang County in north China's Hebei Province has helped many local villagers increase their incomes by teaching them to create traditional Chinese paintings over the past few years.

Fu Lirong revealed that she was a fan of drawing ever since she was a child. At the age of 17, she started to learn painting at a professional art school in Ningjin County in the province.

Later, Fu spent 12 months studying in Hebei Academy of Fine Arts in the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang.

After graduating, Fu wrapped up her best 1-meter-long work and traveled to cities including Beijing, Shanghai and north China's Tianjin Municipality, hoping that someone would appreciate her product, the woman said.

To her surprise, the work sold for more than 500 yuan (U.S.$ 72), a high price above her expectations. She still has fresh memories of that time even though 10 years has since passed.

From then on, the woman concentrated on creating paintings at home. Due to her increasing proficiency, multiple customers from different parts of the country came to her home to place commissions, Fu explained.

As many neighbors often visited her home, they were attracted by Fu's works and also wanted to join her rank.

Therefore, Fu and her partner made an effort to open a painting studio, teaching local farmers to learn to paint free of charge.

"It not only helps villagers develop their interests, but also improve their lives if they have mastered the techniques," Fu remarked.

Lu Xiaohong, a local villager, said, "I have learned painting from Fu for six years. Now, I have acquired rather adept skills in producing works. I like my job very much as I live in relative freedom compared with others."

Lu added that she can earn more than 2,000 yuan (U.S.$ 288) a month by selling paintings, which is much better than being a migrant worker.

"My partner and I are farmers. The motivation for establishing the painting studio is very simple that more people like us can access to the traditional Chinese art while helping others earn some money to relieve their financial condition," Fu concluded.

Next year, the second painting studio will be established, Fu stated.                             (Source: Chinanews.com/Translated and edited by Women of China)     

Editor: Jane Wang