Weiming Zhao applied to many different universities across the country and after plenty of talks with his family, Zhao moved to Brandon nearly 30 years ago from China.
Growing up in China, Zhao often found himself painting as it was something that not only provided him with something to do but also allowed him to get outside. But back in 1979, Zhao stopped painting completely and it stayed that way until 18 years ago when he was inspired to pick back up his brush. And for the last 18 years, Weiming hasn't missed many days putting his creations together.
Zhao began painting on Remembrance Day in 2003 and since that day, the Brandonite's portfolio includes more than 6,600 paintings.
"It's honestly a part of life now, I look forward to painting every single day," said Zhao. "If we're in the vehicle, my wife will drive so I can paint, it brings me so much joy."
Most of Weiming's paintings are scenes in Brandon, but he always also made Riding Mountain National Park a frequent stop of his. Over the course of the past 18 years, Zhao figures he has completed about 1,000 paintings while touring RMNP. Whether it's a painting of a beautiful sunrise to a bear on the side of the street to anything in between, Weiming has done it all with his brush and easel.
This painting was done by Zhao at the Clear Lake Golf Course.
Zhao says although the past year and a half has been very tough because of the pandemic, he finds peace in painting and he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.
"I can't imagine stopping, I really can't," ended Zhao. "Just thinking about stopping makes me sad. This is what I love to do and people are always telling me how beautiful my work is, so that means a lot."
He's now urging fellow Manitobans to paint, saying all it takes is a brush and a canvas and the options are endless.
"Paint anywhere, I've even painted on vacation in Mexico and Hawaii in the past," ended Zhao. "The process is a lot of fun and it's always rewarding when people talk about your work after."
Weiming has also painted many times in Dauphin.
