An Image Burnt Into Art

Pyrography is creating art by burning an image onto various materials, like paper, silk, wood, and leather. In China, this art has been around for over three hundred years. And in Beijing today, one of the best in the business is Mr. Luo Chengxiang, a talented artist with a studio at Bai Gong Fang – the Handicraft Museum.

I visited his studio recently. At the first glance, his works look similar to Chinese watercolor paintings. But upon closer inspection, I realized that it's raised on top of the surface. This gives more of a three-dimensional feel to the piece.

Mr. Luo started learning traditional Chinese painting at the age of six, and has had 50 years of experience with pyrography. One of his best works, called "The Great Wall" was collected by the President of Finland.

When I noticed how heavy his heavy brush weighed (half a pound), he told me that he has used it for thirty years, and he's used to it.

Mr. Luo, like many other studio owners here at the Handicraft Museum, works for the love of art. He opened this studio here also to allow people to enjoy these works of art. And often, Mr. Luo would make pieces for retired people for free.

Prices are not expensive. Some can be bought for only RMB 100.

What I appreciate:
Rare art worth collecting

What customers appreciate:
Work done by a master of the trade, beautiful art works