Li Jin has experimented with ink painting over the past few decades. He has started to employ massive brushstrokes in his creations. His solo show, titled Being, in Beijing displays his latest ink paintings. [Photo provided to China Daily]

But for his latest show, the colorful food inside Li's basket has become black-and-white on rice paper－the original colors of Chinese ink-and-water painting.

Li has drawn cabbages, meat, fish, men and women, and self portraits in the traditional style.

"They do have colors since ink has long been said to have five colors. They are shades of ink," says Li.

He says he wants to open the next chapter of his career by going deep into his spiritual world after having lived and recorded a colorful life for years.

Li enjoys entertaining friends with delicious food at home. He calls each day a "festival", full of friends, food, alcohol, laughter and conversations.

This is reflected in his series, Eat, Drink, Men and Women and another, titled Feast. Long scrolls of his paintings are full of various foods and people.

"I used to be afraid of being alone. After years of experience, I reached a point where I had to be brave enough to look inside to find myself," Li says.