A photo of Zeng Renzhen. [Photo provided to China Daily]

His first name, Renzhen, is a homophone of the Chinese word that means "conscientious", which is the common impression he gives his friends.

"He is the same as I imagined. He is reserved, focused and self-disciplined," writer Gu Yesheng says.

Although he takes his work very seriously, Zeng also places a particular value on "fun".

"Paintings must offer inspiration, never cease to surprise and amaze, and express a hopeful vision. Otherwise they would just be a chore to do."

He says that starting from next year, he plans to spend more time on architectural design. He stresses that care for human living conditions is the focus of his work, no matter what form of architecture he chooses to convey that.

"My ideal vision would be to exhibit my own paintings in a building or garden that I have designed, so that the viewers can feel the relationship between my paintings and reality in a tangible space. After all, my imagination comes from my consideration for real-life issues and observations of nature," Zeng says.