Painter Liu Shuai draws a picture. (File photo)
Painter Liu Shuai has become an online celebrity in China not just for his art, but for his unyielding attitude toward life.
The 26-year-old, who lives in a village in Shenze County, Hebei Province, has cerebral palsy.
His disability, which restricts his movement and requires him to use a wheelchair, has not been his only challenge in life. Liu's only brother, the rural family's main breadwinner, died in a traffic accident 12 years ago, and his 69-year-old father suffers from serious diabetes.
The young man never attended school because of his condition. When he was nine, his father took home several watercolor brush-pencils he picked up from a garbage site.
The pencils changed Liu's life. He trained his left hand to paint every day as his right hand has little strength. His love of painting helped him forget his physical limitations.
"In 2002, a senior county official visited my family and after learning I like painting, he introduced several famous painters to help me improve my skills," said Liu, wearing a pair of glasses and simple clothes.
The sudden death of his brother struck a heavy blow to the family. Liu decided to sell his works to support the family, which owed debts of 30,000 yuan (4,885 U.S. dollars) for his brother's marriage.
In 2010, he opened an online shop on e-commerce platform Taobao. He sold two paintings in his first online sale for 100 yuan.
Liu's work includes portraits and landscapes, and he sells two to three pieces every month via the online shop, earning 200 to 300 yuan. Buyers include art lovers and those who just want to help Liu.
After Liu held an exhibition at the Shijiazhuang Museum in the provincial capital in 2011, a businessman started purchasing three of Liu's paintings every month for 600 yuan in order to help him.
Liu's father's disease worsened this year and he was confined to bed. The family had no money to continue treatment, so Liu had no choice but to create as many paintings as possible to sell.
"I have had a dream since childhood to realize my value through painting," said Liu. "Aid will not address poverty. Man has to rely on himself. I believe I can do this."
Liu has won wide acclaim online for his inspiring story.
Netizens praised his work and sent kind wishes to Liu and his family. Some have asked to make donations to him.
"Good boy. I show my respect to you," read a microblog post left by "chuqingyixiao" on Sina Weibo, a Chinese microblogging service.
"He is very sane. Those who earn their own livings always deserve aid and respect," said another netizen posting under the name "yinguolunhui."
Dozens of Liu's works have been sold in the past few days after Liu's story was widely reported by the media. Liu has received donations from the local county government and the Hebei provincial handicapped persons' welfare foundation.
Grateful for the support, Liu said he is working hard to produce more paintings, although each one takes him a long time.
A hospital in Shijiazhuang has decided to offer free treatment to Liu's father. Liu said he himself hopes to receive medical treatment in the future to be able to care for himself.
