One of the benefits of our website, www.drawright.com, is the chance to communicate with readers, artists, and students from around the world. At this stage in my life, it is a delight to hear that my books have been helpful in opening up the world of drawing to so many.
This month, I have exchanged correspondence with China that I’d like to share. The artist, Zhang Cai Zhu, has clearly received great enjoyment and satisfaction from his drawing.
谢谢张蔡朱
~ Betty Edwards
Artist Zhang Cai Zhu
Date: Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 10:21 PM
Subject: Thanks for your inspiration
Message:
Dear Dr. Edwards，
My name is Annie, a book editor in China. I am about to publish a book called Painted History. Its author is an elderly man in Chongqing, China, called Zhang Cai Zhu. Mr. Zhang had a number of medical problems, including lymphoma cancer in 2006.
One day of 2012, in a bookstore, he read your book Drawing on the Artist Within, and he decided to start drawing his past. Now, he has drawn hundreds of paintings, which have recently been collected and published as books.
I want to tell you his story and say thank you, because your book inspired Mr. Zhang, gave him courage and hope. If you like, I want to send you his pictures and book. Hope you like it.
Best wishes,
Annie
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From: Betty Edwards
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2017 8:05 AM
Dear Annie,
Thank you for writing to me and telling me about Mr. Zhang and his book of drawings that you are planning to publish. I am very touched and impressed by Mr. Zhang’s courage and accomplishment as the author of his book, and I am most happy to learn that my book on drawing was an inspiration for his achievement. I will be grateful and delighted to receive a copy of his book so that I can see and appreciate his drawings myself.
Thank you, Annie, for your most generous offer to send me Mr. Zhang’s book. I hope it will be a great success and give pleasure to many readers.
Please extend my personal best wishes and regards to Mr. Zhang.
Sincerely yours,
Betty Edwards
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From: Annie
Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2017 10:22 PM
Dear Betty，
Thanks for your reply and greeting.
I gave your regards to Mr. Zhang. Your words are a great encouragement to him. He was very excited, and really wanted to know your opinion on his drawings. His book will be published in May this year, and I will send you a copy of this book.
I enclose a photo of Mr. Zhang himself and his drawings. Hope you like them. Thank you!
Sincerely yours,
Annie
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Dear Annie,
The drawings convey so well Mr. Zhang’s delight in being able to portray such complicated scenes. He seems to have an innate skill for composition, and also for figures in movement. The photo is also charming, presenting Mr. Zhang in his newfound occupation as an artist.
I wish him continued success and, to you, Annie, success with your publication. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing more of Mr. Zhang’s work in your book.
With sincere regards to you both,
Betty