"Sun Flower" by Chinese "Van Gogh Grandmother", Chang Xiufeng. [Photo: blog.sina.com.cn/m/changxiufeng]

Three years ago, a 73-year-old illiterate woman named Chang Xiufeng learned to paint and was later nicknamed the "Van Gogh Grandmother." This talented elderly woman is now preparing to publish books of her artwork.

During her life in the countryside, Chang Xiufeng never learned to write, let alone paint. It was by chance that she became interested in painting after trying out her granddaughter's crayons. Chang's son was amazed by his mother's talent, and he posted her painting on the Internet.

"Wild Cats"

Within just one month, the number of "clicks" by viewers of Chang's artwork exceeded 80,000.

Chang's post-impressionistic painting style earned her the nickname "Van Gogh Grandmother," though Chang learned later that Van Gogh was a famous Dutch artist, and his painting"Sunflower"was sold at auction for an amazingly-high 70,000,000 US dollars.

Now living in Guangzhou with her son, Chang usually feels lost among the big city streets, so she mostly stays at home to paint. Once in a while when she goes out, she is surprised and confused by how other people recognize her as the Van Gogh Grandmother.

"One family on the peach flower tree"

This modest lady also doesn't believe that her blog has gotten so many visitors, as she quipped, "I think there are only 40 people maximum reading my blog."

Now watercolor pens and crayons are this grandmother's best friends. She has painted more than 100 pieces of artwork over the past three years. Famous France-based photographer Klavdij Sluban even collected Chang's "Guava Tree," and said, "Just like me - Chang and I both are showing art with heart, not with machines and pens."

"Spring comes"

Chinese "Van Gogh Grandmother" , Chang Xiufeng.

Editor: Wing