This is a painting created for the show China Minorities-American Perceptions.  We often think of China as being on the opposite side of the globe from us.  The language, both spoken and written is about as different as you can get.  It seems a challenge to move past our preconceived ideas of people with such different ways.   And yet, when we stand close and look into the eyes of a child we see that we all have dreams; dreams for a happy life with peace, prosperity and special people to love.

The Miao people (Hmong in their dialect) are one of the largest ethnic minorities in Southwest China. Most Miao villages are just of a few families. They are nestled on hillsides among mountains and rivers.  The weather is mild with a generous rainfall, and the area is rich in natural resources which made it easy for these villages to prosper independently for centuries.     The traditional hats are made of a shiny foil that does not weigh down the dancers and embossed with symbolism and topped with the shape of water buffalo horns.