Oin Bailan’s reputation as one of China’s most highly acclaimed artists preceded her visit to Troy and Troy University.

Those who were privileged to view her exhibit at The Studio in Troy Wednesday will say anything they had heard about her artistic talent was an understatement.

Forty-five of Oin Bailan’s paintings were exhibited, giving those in attendance a bird’s eye view of the thousands of paintings that she had done during her 40-year career.

Speaking through an interpreter, Oin Bailan first expressed her appreciation for the invitation to show her work at The Studio and Troy University.

She told her audience that her love of painting started when she was a child. However, she contracted an illness at age 18 that left her legs paralyzed. She later turned to artwork as a way of healing and fulfillment.

Coupled with her passion for Chinese history, art became an expression of who Oin Bailan is and the legacy of her people.

China is one of the world’s four ancient civilizations and Oin Bailan’s art traces the country’s history back 5000 years.

She said she is fascinated by everything in China’s history, from its cartoons to its operas.

Oin Bailan is a student of Chinese history and she learned much about ancient Chinese history from her maternal grandmother. She has also traveled extensively learning about history and the folklore of China.

Oin Bailan has an affinity for children, heroic females, noble ladies and the mythical characters of her country.

One of Oin Bailan’s paintings on exhibit is of Liang Hongyu, an ancient Heroine. The painting is supported, as all her paintings are, with a thumbnail description of the painting. “Liang Hongyu was wise and resourceful and won a great battle against the country of Jin with a far weaker military strength. As a result, the whole country sang victory songs about her.”

Viewing Oin Bailan’s watercolor paintings is an exercise in art appreciation and a lesson in Chinese history.

Joan Word, Johnson Center for the Art docent vice president, attended Oin Bailan’s art talk and demonstration at The Studio.

“I looked at her exhibit and thought, how could she do this?” Word said. “Her artwork is really amazing. It is a style unto itself. What impressed me most was the detail of her work and the beautiful shading of colors. A major difference in Chinese watercolor and ours is that the figures are outlined in ink but the line is so fine that you don’t even notice it.”

Word said Oin Bailan’s demonstration of her technique was fascinating.

“She took us step by step and it is a very complicated art form, at least to me it seemed to be,” Word said.

Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. expressed his welcome to Oin Bailan and said having her come is just another way that the university is bringing about better understanding between the United States and China.

“Understanding fosters appreciation and appreciation strengthens relationships,” Hawkins said. “Troy University has 1,000 international students, which is the largest percentage of international students in this part of the world.”

About 350 of the university’s international students are from China, which Hawkins described as ambitious and hardworking.

Oin Bailan’s artwork will move today to Suite 329 of the Rosa Parks Library and Museum on the Montgomery Campus, where it will be available for viewing March 4 – March 8.