Kungfused Studio

Art Inspired by Kung Fu

Creativity is an art form, and everything is Kung Fu. While my story began when I first travelled to China to train at a rural school in the Song Mountains, with my continued training, I began to fall in love with the surrounding temples in the Henan Province. In quieter moments, I draw the landscapes by hand. Drawing has become an extension of my meditative practice — and also a creative way to cultivate my qi.

The quote ‘气韵生动’ (Qì yùn shēng dòng) originates from a 6th-century Chinese text by Xie Hie called Six Principles of Painting. It expresses the idea that artwork itself should carry the essence of life from creative practice. The philosophy suggests that with every stroke of a brush in painting or calligraphy, this movement is a form of expression imbued with energy from your spirit, much like each move in Kung Fu.

This creativity is said to be born from internal energy, or the life force known as Qi. With this thought in mind, all creative endeavours can be seen as inspired by the energy of movement and the practice of Kung Fu, whether through a brushstroke, a pen, or a sword.

A hand-drawn image of the Fawang Temple with black pen on a white background. There is fine detailing of the staircase leading up to the temple and some memorial stones with Chinese writing on. There are beautiful paving stones with lotus flowers on.
A hand-drawn and digitally painted picture of the Fawang Temple Moon Gate in bright red with detailed roof tiles featuring two stone dragons. The opening from the stairs through the temple is a great circular entrance.

Fawang Moon Gate

Towards the edge of the Fawang Temple are moon gates, with traditional tiled roofs and dragons decorating the top. For many years, the Fawang Temple was home to Kung Fu students who lived and trained there.

A hand-drawn and digitally painted picture of a golden incense holder stand with ornate golden dragons curling around the four posts surrounding the pit in the middle.

Dharma Blessings

Standing in front of each prayer hall in the temple are large incense holders for giving prayers and blessings. Many people will light incense and bow to pray here for their families and loved ones. There is a feeling of calm surrounding these incense stands.

A hand-drawn and digitally painted picture of a proud looking stone guardian lion statue in pale blue with a large, beautiful gold collar across his chest and a golden bell hanging from it. The lion has his teeth out and a small lion sat at his feet.

Shaolin Lion

Guarding the temples around China are large stone lions, also known as foo dogs. They are strong presences and are thought to be the guardians of the temples. The vibrant characters of the statues bring the culture to life.

Fawang Wall

Skirting the edges are the walls of the Fawang temple, rich with colour and emblems resembling the historical relevance of Kung Fu within the grounds. The Fawang Temple is thought to be founded in 71 AD, making it almost 2,000 years old.

A hand-drawn and digitally painted picture of the Fawang Temple outer walls in burnt red with dark grey tiles on the roof of the wall. Two golden yellow emblems featuring large black Chinese characters and detailed designs bring a richness to it.
A hand-drawn and digitally painted picture of Mount Song, featuring the very peak of the mountain. The mountain is coloured in a variety of greys and creams and browns to detail the rock formation and on the top the Shaolin Monastery amongst trees.

Mount Song

At the top of the Mount Song sits the peak of the mountain called Lián Tiān Fēng, where the Songshan Buddhist Monastery resides. The Song mountains are a beautiful sight to behold around the Henan Province. Chinese astronomical mythology believed Mount Song to be "the centre of Heaven and Earth."

Shaolin Temple

Known as the birthplace of Shaolin Kung Fu, the world famous Shaolin Temple has been visited by warriors, emperors, monks and martial artists alike for hundreds of years. This temple is rich with history and Chinese culture and is truly the home of Shaolin.

A hand-drawn and digitally painted picture of the Shaolin Temple, with deep red bricks and emerald-green tiles detailing the roof. There is a stone staircase leading to the entrance, and gold details on the edges of the roof.
A hand-drawn and digitally painted picture of the beautiful red pavilion at Zhongue Temple with blue, green and yellow details and two curving tiers of terracotta-tiles.

Zhongyue Pavilion

At the opening of Zhongyue Temple stands this beautiful pavilion. Zhonyue is a very old Taoist temple, predicted to be built around 220 BC. The pavilion itself seems to emanate peace, spreading a gentle atmosphere throughout the grounds. I once hid in here from the rain.

Monastery Pot

A hand-drawn and digitally painted picture of a large brass cooking pot in rusty bronze and golden-black colours. The pot has lotus flowers and details like Chinese clouds decorating the metal. A small door with a latch leads to the fireplace.

While climbing up Mount Song, on the many stairs leading to the Shaolin Monastery, you will come across a small temple. Stood proudly outside in all of its rustic antiquity is this giant cooking pot, about ten feet tall, surviving through all the many weathers.

Yin Yang Tigers

The push and pull of two tigers reflecting the balance between the two forces of Yin and Yang. Yin being soft, feminine, water, night; and Yang representing the strong, masculine, fire and day. There is balance in everything.

A hand-drawn and digitally painted image of two tigers, one black with white stripes, the other orange with black stripes, fighting in exact opposites in the shape of the Yin Yang symbol. They both chase each other’s tails.

Note from Holly:

In the future, I might make some of these artworks available to purchase. If this is something you would be interested in, please let me know by adding your name and the piece you like to the mailing list at the end of the ‘Training Resources’ section.