The painting "Retreat" not only gives one a unique perspective on a 'gorgeous, mysterious, serene and special mountain forest,' but also allows the observer to almost hear the sound of branches and leaves happily vibrating in the fresh mountain breeze...

The thick, compact branches and leaves of the mountain forest seem to vibrate, just like tens of thousands of birds fluttering their wings in retreat to their warm, pleasant, safe nests. The whole of this painting diffuses the humble yet overwhelming beauty of a quiet mountain forest.

In the upper left section of the painting, a naturally colored sky-blue tent that seems to have existed since the beginning of the cosmos lies calmly under a broad shadow. The earthy color of the ground seems to be baked dry while the crystal clear green leaves seem to emit a fragrant aroma. Although there is no bluish sky in the painting, the observer is still able to see the light radiating out from each and every green leaf.

Just like an uninhibited artist boldly playing with colors, Supreme Master Ching Hai concludes the painting in a light-hearted, happy manner. The shapes of the branches and leaves reveal the swift, unrestrained handling of the paint-brush. The deliberate strokes in the tree bodies using many varied colors, with an occasional twisting and leaning upon one another, creates lush greens among the forest as well as a forest among the greens. The leading and supporting colors both appear to happily return in unison to somewhere special, leaving the observer with a sense of lightness and a desire to dance like an elegant, serene swan with the radiating green foliage.

Those unfamiliar with the art of painting might say this about "Retreat "Oil painting is very easy. Where is the difficulty!?

It seemed that the artist Supreme Master Ching Hai finished this painting in an hour's time. This is both correct and incorrect. Some renowned art college graduates may not produce even one piece of art with spirit in all their lives. Some others might diligently study and spend lots of time researching the different methods of famous artists, both present and past, local as well as foreign; or humble themselves to become disciples of great artists, and yet never produce anything with artistic value. On the other hand, there may be someone who has never held a paint-brush since childhood, nor studied at an art college, never read an art book or studied under the guidance of a painting master, yet may produce outstanding oil, watercolor, crayon and pencil paintings. Such a person is the legendary artist Supreme Master Ching Hai. Her paintings prove that She is definitely a painting genius. This is obvious, just like Her talents in other areas like music, sculpture, drama and film.

/ By Brother Initiate Ho Cam Tam (Artist), San Jose, U.S.A. (Originally In Au Lac Language)

☆Hearing The Leaves, Trees And Breeze In Supreme Master Ching Hai's Painting "Retreat"
☆Celestial Jewelry Glorifies The Munich Jewelry Exhibition ☆ The Smiling Little Buddha
 ☆The Secret Of Lightning