3 Benefits by Good Characters

5 PM to 8 PM at 7638 N. Ingram Ave., Suite 109, Fresno, CA 93711. FREE. This is probably the smallest ArtHop studio you’ll visit in Fresno. And it may also be one of the most unusual. What you’re going to see and do are very simple. You will see some of my works. Everything I do is related to Chinese symbols, also adopted in Japan as kanji and in Korea as hanja. But, more interesting, I’ll show you how to grind ink with an inkstone and an inkstick, you’ll learn how to hold and use a Chinese calligraphy brush (you might think it’s harder than holding chopsticks!), and you will practice writing Chinese symbols such as the character for Love. I will answer questions you might have. In essence, this is less about what I do and more about introducing you to the world of Chinese calligraphy. It’s a casual workshop and a hands-on experience.

Above: True Characters of Love. Blend of ancient and modern art forms and styles and Eastern and Western thought carries timeless message. Traditional red-bordered scroll has large modern Chinese character for “love” formed by the skillful composition of small, traditional characters that spell out the true meaning of love from the Bible (1 Corinthians 13).

It’s the custom to call or visit friends on the lunar New Year’s day, which is Monday, January 26 this year, and say Gong Xi Fa Cai (pronounced goong ssee fah tsign) or simply Gong Xi Gong Xi (goong ssee goong ssee).

Our offices will be closed December 25-26 as well as January 1-2 for the holiday season.  Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding deadlines or project schedules. We appreciate your business and will work to accommodate all requests.

Merry Christmas 聖誔快樂. Happy Holidays 佳節快樂.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Learn how to say and write Happy Thanksgiving in Chinese.

Scheduled maintenance has been completed for all servers and the service has been turned back on to full capacity.

On October 21, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. (PDT), we will be conducting upgrades to help improve system performance. Some shoppers may be unable to use coupons when placing an order during the upgrade period.

Chinese “Alphabet” for Chinatown Festival

The Chinatown Music and Art Festival in Fresno was a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who let me show you my Chinese version of the English alphabet. I hope you found writing these 26 Chinese characters a good introduction to Chinese calligraphy. I also hope you will continue learning the grace and beauty of this art form.

If you were at the festival and received a free brush, please take good care of it:

• Don’t forget to soften the brush tip in water before you use it for the first time.
• Be sure to discard the plastic cap.
• Keep the brush clean between uses by holding under running tap water.
• Let the brush air dry.

I enjoyed sharing my love of the Chinese language and art with you. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for learning with me.

PRESS RELEASE: Chinese artist and linguist to present hands-on demonstration of Chinese “alphabet” and calligraphy writing at Chinatown Music and Arts Festival

Good Characters, an international Chinese naming and branding company headquartered locally, will present “Fun with the Chinese ‘Alphabet’” at the Chinatown Music and Arts Festival in downtown Fresno on Saturday, September 20. Artist and linguist Andy Chuang will show festival attendees how to write their names with Chinese characters. Visitors will receive complimentary cards displaying the Chinese “alphabet,” a collection of 26 Chinese characters that resemble the letters of the English alphabet. They can try their hand writing their Chinese name on a calligraphy roll with Chinese brush and ink. They can also try using the alphabet card to decipher a message written in Chinese. Those who solve the riddle will win a Chinese calligraphy brush.

Chuang, founder and president of Good Characters, is skilled in the look, the sound, and the meaning of Chinese words. His company specializes in Chinese brand name development.

In addition to Chuang, the Chinatown Music and Arts Festival will feature other artists from around the country, live performances of jazz and blues music, and a barbecue. Sponsored by Chinatown Revitalization Inc., it will be held at the new Fire Department Headquarters, 911 H Street, beginning at 4 pm.
 
September 20, 2008 (Saturday)
911 H Street at Kern
4 pm
Cost of festival: $25. Parking free