Chan Lim Family and Students' Exquisite Chinese Paintings in Naga City

Naga City - The Chan Lim ® Family of Artists and Students opened its gallery of Chinese Scroll Painting and Oil Painting  last August 20 and will run until September 5 at the event center of SM City Naga as part of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. 

The Chan Lim Family of Artists has been actively involved in the arts for more than four decades now. The family patriarch, Chan Lim, has dabbled in Western art, specializing in Oil and Watercolor. The Chan Lim siblings Alex, Rolex and Jolex are all engineers by profession and are actively engaged with multinational companies. Bound by their passion with the arts, the Chan Lim family of Artists has conducted numerous art classes, workshops, seminars, and on-the-spot painting demonstrations. They have joined several exhibits locally and internationally. The 3rd generation Chan Lims follows in the footsteps of both the family patriarch and their fathers nurturing their artistic talents. To date, the family has staged thirteen family painting exhibits.

The Chan Lim brothers during the presscon.

Painting is Chan Lim's another way of giving back to the community. Apart from their own professions as owners of prestigious companies and as providers of employment, painting is a nourishing way of giving back to the community. Through painting they are able to help nourish the artistic ability of people. Painting is at the same time therapeutic allowing us to let loose our inhibitions by the use of strokes and ability to combine colors. SM has supported Chan Lim back in 1995 with the first exhibit at SM Megamall and until now by showcasing their work in the different SM Supermalls around the Philippines. Truly, when passion throbs in the heart of this family, sharing it to the community comes next. There are about five Bicolanos by blood in the group sharing their time and effort in teaching Chinese painting.

A demo on how to paint a bamboo and flower was amazingly done by one of the Chan Lim brothers, Felix Chan Lim of Stanford University. I noticed that when he paints, he paints from the picture of a bamboo and flower from his mind. No models or pictures but just pure visualization of a bamboo and flower where it's all natural and free flowing. The creative energy just flows out in every stroke thru his brush and paint. 

Notice the combination of colors? In one brush there are two colors when painted. 

And so after the demo, we indulged ourselves in experiencing Chinese painting. The mopit / brush is a familiar tool for me since I am also an alumna of Saint Joseph School. Back in the days we have never experienced using the water color because we only used the black ink for Chinese characters or words. So to speak, this was an entirely a different experience for me. As a first timer, of course I was nervous. Good thing Ms. Dolly was very patient in teaching me how to paint a bamboo. Shout out to her!

Presenting my very first Chinese painting, nakakahiya haha. 

(This photo was taken by Frances of www.francesandflair.com)

For me, I realized that the key to a Chinese painting is to be free from all anxieties or worries. Just relax and go with the flow of energy. I noticed that, the more I was relaxed, the more that I was able to at least follow the instructions of Ms. Dolly. Practice pa more!

The free workshop was participated by students from St. Joseph, Naga Hope Christian School and other organizations such as Salingoy Art Group.

Presentation from the students of Naga Hope Christian School.

The kids had fun under the supervision of the Chan Lim Family and students. 

The paintings in the gallery are there for us to appreciate, but remember not to touch them so that they may last for more decades to be appreciated by the next generations.

The middle portrait with blue birds was done by my teacher Ms. Dolly. Galing!

The Chan Lim students who were very excited to teach the kids. Happy to meet them too!

The #ChanLim family is one of the few remaining notable Chinese brush painting artists in the country today, and is sought after in this field. Art classes are conducted in the family studio located in Pasig city. Their paintings can be found in private collections here and abroad. 

You may email them at chanlim@yahoo.com or view their artworks at www.chanlim.com. Don't forget to visit SM City  Naga, the gallery is open until September 5.

More power to Chan Lim Family and Students and Dios Mabalos for the unique and nourishing activity! May you continue to inspire more people through your passion.