Farmers paint in a field of flowers (COURTESY) 

The fertile soil of the countryside is also rich in artistic inspiration. “If farmers pick up a brush, they can become artists. If one devotes oneself wholeheartedly to something, a stroke of genius will follow,” said Miao Huixin, a cultural envoy to Shengfeng Village in Youchegang Town, Xiuzhou District, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. 

Miao, acclaimed as “China’s rural Picasso,” was once featured by Time magazine as one of 10 outstanding Asian artists. 

As a national demonstration zone for common prosperity, Zhejiang has pioneered the cultural envoy system, selecting renowned cultural figures to assist townships in advancing cultural development. 

Cultural symbols 

Xiuzhou farmer paintings have become some of the most striking cultural symbols in the region, known for their exaggerated forms, vivid colours, rich compositions, and distinctive water-town charm. In March 2025, a farmer painting class opened in Shengfeng Village, where 22 students were taught painting and creative techniques by Miao, transforming scenes from everyday rural life into vibrant works of art. 

According to Miao, 90 percent of the students come from nearby villages, including children and seniors living in nursing homes. “Some students had no prior painting experience. For them, painting serves as a way to express their inner emotions through colours and images. Through this process, they develop their own aesthetic judgment, which in turn becomes a form of self-cultivation, observation, and reflection.” 

Thanks to municipal funding, the painting class not only waives tuition and materials fees but also provides participants with subsidies. 

‘Everyone can create’ 

Wu Haimei is one of the students in Miao’s painting class. Years ago, she was deeply moved by Miao’s works, which sparked her interest in painting. “I am a native rural girl from Youchegang Town and work in social security. I paint in my spare time, infusing my works with my love for my hometown.” 

In 2017, Wu participated in a painting class in Youchegang. This year, she rejoined the programme and created four self-portraits, impressing viewers with bold colours and freestyle brushstrokes. 

“Since I started painting, I’ve become more patient in dealing with people and feel a great sense of accomplishment. I’ve attended many training sessions with excellent teachers, and their unwavering passion for painting deeply moves me,” Wu said. She runs a small studio in neighbouring Maijia Village, where she offers locals free training. She firmly believes that “everyone can create.” 

Since 2001, Xiuzhou has held a farmer painting festival every two to three years, showcasing more than 2,500 works. The district has also taken these paintings abroad, organising exhibitions in more than 20 countries.  

Beyond exhibitions, Xiuzhou has successfully integrated this folk art into its rural economy. By establishing a dedicated painting arts company, it has developed nearly 200 cultural derivative products, generating an output value of 25.66 million yuan ($3.6 million) and turning local creativity into sustainable income.