A place worth painting

Fu stayed in a guesthouse with artists specializing in clay sculpting, computer animation and doll-making. The guesthouse, which was opened by a local batik craftsman, is named Wu Ju Wu Shu, or, "No restraints. No restrictions".

"We learn from one another. We play and create together. We become good friends here," she says, while sketching a stranger's portrait in the guesthouse.

Fu has hosted a class for kids and their parents about her new book, Ash Dresses Her Friends, during the festival. It's a story of love and sharing.

"I hope they remember attending a drawing class in Guyan Huaxiang when they grow up," Fu says.

"If my story touches their hearts-well, that's what illustrating means to me."

Two exhibitions in the town's galleries showcased the best works that local painters have created over the past 30 years.

Thirty paintings and 30 photos capturing the people and the town were then transported to Paris' Center for Chinese Culture for an exhibition from Sept 4 to 20.

The art festival in the village culminated with a concert performed by folk musicians, including the band Landlord's Cat and singer Zhou Yunpeng.

Organizers say the influx of tourists has grown by 70 percent compared with last year.

About 280 small pictures drawn by visitors and artists were hung together to form a large landscape painting in the town's central plaza.

Li finished his paintings, too.

"I've portrayed all my feelings about the town and interactions with the tourists and locals," he says.

Collectors from home and abroad bought all the works he created in the settlement.

"Guyan Huaxiang's beauty has been shared through my paintings," Li says, smiling.

Contact the writer at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn