Things never came easy for celebrated artist Huang Yongyu, but hard work has made him a master even in old age, Lin Qi reports.

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Asked to reflect on his decades-long art career, Huang Yongyu stresses every word of his reply: "It has been so toilsome."

His voice is imbued with uncommon seriousness, rather than the humor and wit he usually speaks with.

"I didn't receive adequate schooling, neither did I attend a regular art school. I acquired all my techniques by picking up a little bit from here and a little bit from there," says the accomplished painter, writer and poet.

"It's like an architecture that is not built on solid foundations and has a twisted appearance. It is a weak point but also has formed the distinctive style of my works."

Having just turned 90 in August, Huang still works as diligently as he did in his youth: He spends eight to nine hours a day writing and painting.

Lotus has been a recurring object in Huang Yongyu's works, such as Lotus and Red-crowned Cranes (top) in 2007 and Nine Lotuses (below) in 2011. Photos Provided to China Daily

He is celebrating his 90th birthday with two publications, a complete collection of his literature and artworks, and the first part of his autobiography. He also has a retrospective exhibition currently on show at the National Museum of China.

At the same venue, he celebrated his 80th birthday with an art show that also toured to Hong Kong.

At a glance

Huang Yongyu is hailed an art genius among the artists of his time. He spent his childhood in Fenghuang, a heavenly county with landscapes and folk culture that continues to inspire his artistic creations today. More...