Farmers paint a brighter future for themselves

JINAN — Seated in his courtyard, Zhang Zilong uses a traditional Chinese fan as his canvas, and with meticulous strokes he paints a vivid rural landscape depicting distant hills and vibrant apricot blossoms.

Zhang, from Houhuangma village in Qingzhou, Shandong province, has battled physical disabilities since childhood. He initially earned a living through ceramic and glass painting. When the Qingzhou government arranged art training sessions for farmers, Zhang eagerly enrolled in the hope of further nurturing his artistic talent.

Farmer painting is an art form rooted in agricultural life. To seek inspiration, Zhang frequently ventures outdoors to capture scenes of rural landscapes, harvest festivals and local customs with the strokes of his paintbrush. He then reinterprets these scenes in his unique style. As his skills improved, Zhang began selling his paintings and eventually established his own studio.