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kwang's blog
A love of art and determination forced this Chinese man into using his mouth and feet to create some of the most sought after paintings in the world.
Huang Guofu, 41, was involved in a tragic accident in which an electric shock forced him to have both of his arms amputated at the age of four.
But undeterred and inspired by beautiful surroundings he forced himself to learn how to paint using his feet at the tender age of 12.
Sometimes spending all night awake trying to perfect his stroke he eventually improved and began selling his work.
'It took time and I eventually became better and better and there were times when I stayed up all night in order to get better,' he said.
At the age of 18 Mr Guofu's father fell ill and he quit school and spent hours painting and selling his work on the pavement to try and help pay towards his father's care.
But undeterred and inspired by beautiful surroundings he forced himself to learn how to paint using his feet at the tender age of 12.
Sometimes spending all night awake trying to perfect his stroke he eventually improved and began selling his work.
'It took time and I eventually became better and better and there were times when I stayed up all night in order to get better,' he said.
At the age of 18 Mr Guofu's father fell ill and he quit school and spent hours painting and selling his work on the pavement to try and help pay towards his father's care.
He would sell his art on the streets where some people openly admitted buying his work out of sympathy.
Mr Guofu then travelled around China trying to sell his work but was told he needed to change his technique to try and improve his work.
He then that he taught himself to paint using his mouth.
Mr Guofu is now so highly regarded as an artist he was appointed the vice-curator of the newly opened Chonging Talents Museum.
His paintings are regularly bought by dealers and art lovers across the world.
Despite the deformity Mr Guong says he is a happy person who 'appreciates what God has given me'.
