My Life
我这大半辈子(中文)

Generally speaking, I am a “materialist.” Although it is difficult to explain how I came to be this way, I won’t be afraid when I go to my grave. I believe we can divide our destinies into 3 parts: one, god decides who you are and what you will become; two, you succeed through hard work, and; three, if you’re lucky you’ll have very good friends to walk your path with you. I was born in the 1950s and my life was very hard. When I was young and needed food to grow stronger, along with so many others, I suffered through my country’s natural disasters of no food and nothing safe to drink. Today, I am not tall or strong.

I studied hard when I was a teenager, so I could get a good job and enjoy life in the future; but then I suffered through the “Cultural Revolution”… and there was no time for me to study. When the government “called,” I went to a rural town to do some farming work. I’m lucky that I had the chance to go to school and study there, or I don’t know what I would be doing now. After the Cultural Revolution, I did manage to go to college and graduate. I then got a job that provided me a living for the future, but it wasn’t easy. As a man in my twenties, it was a very “practical time,” when people would look down on you if you married for something as frivolous and “impractical” as love. I was afraid and only married later.

When I was 28 years old, it was the “right time” to find a wife, and I did; but the law then was “one couple, one child” - regardless if it’s a boy or a girl. (it was probably a good thing, since if I had more children, I don’t know how I could have fed them). My life then, was as a plain glass of water with just a few crystals of sugar. My salary was low, just barely enough to live on, but I did not care about fancy clothes or gourmet foods, and I could enjoy my beer and alcohol with all kinds of simple foods. I enjoyed this life-style for several years. There is one thing that I could not forget and it is still quite clear in my mind. During the period of massive layoffs and unemployment, I was lucky enough not to have been fired from my job, and so my family and I survived. How time flies, my children are grown up, they’ve gone to elementary school, middle school, high school and college. It was so hard to pay their tuition, and my life continued to be difficult. But that was the past, and now I am enjoying my life. I am the oldest of four sons. My Dad died 2 years ago and my Mom is quite old and her body is not strong. I took over the responsibility for taking care of my three brothers. I contributed as much as I could to help the family, and I also made good advancement in my own job. However, though I am just nearing 50 years old, I think I look much older than I really am.

It is very hard to live the life you want, when you must live for others. At the same time, if you just live for yourself, perhaps your life is empty. For better or worse, I tried to handle my responsibilities and be unselfish, while also being “true to my self.” At the start of the year 2000, I said goodbye to my Mom and came to Dalian for business; it was soon after that I joined the Baishiwan Art Salon. Oh, and it was quite great here. I had no idea there could be such a comfortable place in the entire world. We have dinner together here, sometimes with no food dishes, but only alcohol. We go fishing and enjoy it very much, and each time we catch a lot of fish, we cook it up and enjoy a great meal together. My taste of life now is quite different and interesting. If I’m feeling down, I go to the Salon’s studio and lose the sadness in the joy of my painting. When I’m painting, I’m not lonely any more, I’m happy, and sometimes forget when it’s time to go home. Whenever I have free time I like to paint, and I don’t care if others like what I paint or not… I just do it because I like to do it. I feel free, I’m happy, and fulfilled.

Thinking about my life before now -- it was hard, but that is the past. It is said that: “into each life a little rain must fall,” and when I understand life this way, I can feel a little better. I have also come to understand that, if you want to live in this life, you have to deal with whatever the gods throw at you. But you never gave up your dreams, and there are always people to help you when things get really tough. So, I am a lucky man. Although there are still a lot of difficulties in my life, I will follow my path, try my best, and always be the best friend I can be for my friends.

Liu Peibo wrote in Baishiwan Jan. 6^{th 2004}　

 
Liu Peibo

Liu Peibo biography
Born in Wulanhaote in Neimenggu province, native in Liaoning province.
Graduated with a Painting and Fine Arts major from Dongbei Normal University.
Worked in a Factory for 5 years.
Worked in the Culture Department for 5 years.His paintings were featured in national exhibitions.
His works have been exhibited and collected in foreign countries.
He’s a member of Neimenggu Artist Association, and Vice Professor of Dalian Artistic College for Fine Arts majors.
Address:3#-2-1-2  BaiShiWan Dalian Development Zone
Post code:116600         Tel:0411—87616572    13898409529

  
 
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