Arriving at his apartment, we are warmly welcomed by Wang and his wife and a mixed chorus of insects - the katydids!

There are more than ten katydids neatly arranged in front of the window of Wang's painting studio. Each is separately kept in a fine bamboo cage. They sit or stand or hang upside down with seemingly tenuous claws. Sometimes, one sings, the others listen, or they sing together. If you approach them for a closer look, the little creatures will suddenly stop singing and stare at you with curious looks.

That is Wang's wife, Mrs. Wu. She says her husband loves the katydids so much, that he treats them as his own children.

Hmmm, truly he does!

Wang was born in a rural region of Cang in north China's Hebei province and settled in Beijing with his parents at an early age. However, he never forgets the good old days having fun with katydids in the countryside.

"'There were katydids everywhere in the fields. Green, black and purple, big and small. Caressed by a gentle breeze and accompanied by katydids' singing, we would chew a cornstalk and lay along the riverside in the sun. What an easy life!"

"However, now we live in the urban area where the tall buildings and noisy traffic drive away the fresh air. I so miss the simple living in my childhood village, that the dear katydid is the kind guide leading me back to the past."

So, Wang Zhongmin not only feeds katydids as his dearest pets but is also fond of drawing them as his greatest models. The recently released traditional Chinese painting book called "Ya Min Tu" (The Elegant Singers) is an elaborate painting collection of Wang's singing insects. Wang's teacher, Lou Shibai, a 92-year-old artist, inscribed a poem for each picture.

It is said that an overseas Chinese collector offered to pay 500,000RMB in cash for all the original paintings in the book, but was declined by Wang. Wang says he did not have the heart to sell them, which is evidence not only of his love for katydids and paintings, but also his teacher's great expectations of him.

"I often accompany and watch my teacher, Mr Lou, when he draws. And he gives me instructions step by step with patience."

Seeing is believing.

We are so honored, delighted and excited to be invited to see the original paintings at the studio. As Wang carefully takes out the original paintings of "Ya Ming Tu", we truly feel how precious the works of art are to him. Amazingly, all the katydids begin to cheerfully sing, as if they cannot wait to see their own portraits!

Every painting has a theme, and is laid out with a set of objects and an amount of katydids. All the objects are common everyday things, such as a set of tea pot and cups, vegetable and fruits, a traditional Chinese musical instrument or a tree. Most of them are simply outlined freehand as the background, while the katydids are meticulously sketched, colored and elaborately placed against the background. As you may observe, each katydid expresses their emotions using palpi and claws.

"This one is singing as you see its vaguely drawn wings are quivering, while this one is still. According to my observation, katydid expresses its happiness by raising one of its rear legs. They communicate with palpi too."

They are so alive that they seem to be about to jump out of the paper. With vivid emotional expressions, they are human-like creatures: This one is overjoyed while this one is satisfied; this one clings to the cup and is obviously drunk; the one fiddling with the string immerses itself in the beauty of music; the one jumping towards a hanging picture is longing for home, while this one calmly confronting a watchful cat is a brave warrior.

Wang Zhongmin says endowing the lovely creatures with human characteristics is a reflection of his own life too. As both creations of nature, we do have something in common.

Wang often places katydids with a background of fruits and vegetables in his paintings. Wang says this is a call for the environment.

"I truly believe that where there are katydids, there is the best ecological environment. Though being incapable of stopping man's abuse of pesticide and chemical fertilizer, for they are too small, they praise a good place by singing with honesty."

As a poem is composed along the painting of katydids and peaches, which literally means "Only big sweet peaches are a worthy offering to God."

"Only when we treat our environment in the right way, do we thank nature with our harvest with an innocent heart."

As a master in his traditional art field, Wang still prefers to be titled "one that draws katydids". Wang regards the insect as his teacher because he discovers the little thing gifted with virtues that human beings are after.

"Katydids are gentleman-like. With a peaceful mind, they are easy to get along with and can survive any circumstances. They are such joyful and urbane creatures that instead of fighting for a partner, they express their love through singing. With various colors and handsome postures, katydids bring you the amazing beauty of nature."

"I love katydids!"