A grandmother nicknamed “Grandma Vincent van Gogh” for her paintings passed away on August 1, aged 83.

The Sunflowers painted by Chang Xiufeng (Photos: People's Daily)

Chang Xiufeng, from central China’s Henan Province, drew colorful paintings to show countryside scenery, and melted the heart of her readers. Through her pure and touching strokes, many people said they felt nostalgia.

Chang Xiufeng, the“Grandma Vincent van Gogh”

Chang, who had no education and couldn’t read and write, had lived in the countryside in Henan Province for most of her life. After her husband’s death, she moved to her son’s house in the city of Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, where she found herself uncomfortable with city life.

Countryside scenery painted by Chang Xiufeng

Spending most of her time in the city with her granddaughter, Chang often told the girl stories about their hometown. One day, Chang picked up her granddaughter’s paintbrushes, and painted the hawthorns to illustrate how her hometown looked.

Countryside scenery painted by Chang Xiufeng

Since then, painting became part of Chang’s life. Her works were well-received when her son shared them on Internet.

Chang was dubbed “Grandma Vincent van Gogh” because of her most famous piece, The Sunflowers.

“My sunflowers, nourished by the soil and water, are very happy, just as my mood when drawing it,” she said. “The artist called Vincent van Gogh must be unhappy, since his sunflowers seem bitter, not stretching themselves.”

Countryside scenery painted by Chang Xiufeng

Chang held a charity exhibition in Hong Kong in 2007, and donated money to impoverished areas through selling her art.

“As long as I can pick up a brush, I will try my best to express my heart,” Chang said.

(Compiled by Zhan Huilan)