Accidental artists

"Painting is a way to relax and distract myself from anxiety and worries," she adds.

Chen, who has run the children's painting class since 2004, decided to have a class for adults in September 2012 because of increasing demand from the children's mothers. Now, he has more than 100 mothers in his classes.

Chen says the classes for adults, like those for children, do not follow a strict structure.

For mothers, he says, painting is a way to get their social life and confidence back after the arrival of their children.

The artist, who graduated from Minzu University of China in oil painting, started giving art classes after he became a father himself a decade ago. He loved watching the way his daughter paints, which does not follow any particular technique.

He says children's paintings are the most beautiful works in the world. "My daughter only had hair after she was 3 years old, and so in her paintings, all the girls have no hair. As she grows up and starts having hair, she paints girls with long dark hair, colorful skirts and even high heels," says Chen.

"Children have the inborn talent to paint. It is natural," he says. "Painting should be fun and not a burden. I believe that applies to adults in the same way."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn.