蔡友   Cai, You   1947~

You Cai, style names Le-Shan and You-San, was born in Nantou, Taiwan, in 1947. He graduated from National Chiayi Teachers College, Department of Fine Arts at the National School of Arts, Department of Art at Chinese Culture University, and the Graduate Institute of Art at University of Tsukuba, Japan. After graduating from National Chiayi Teachers College, Cai began to learn painting under the guidance of Chinese painting master, Fo-Ting Lu, and was mentored by experts such as Juan-Fu Fu, Qin-Bo Jin and Feng-Nan Su during his study at the National School of Arts. During this period, he both absorbed the philosophy of painting and improved his skills with brush and ink. His career as a painter has since unfolded. Deeply touched by the vivid colors of the distinct seasons during his study in Tsukuba, Japan, he began to employ bold color palettes and a free style, which was also reflected in his unrestrained, graceful and drawing-like calligraphy works. In addition, Cai is fond of sketching. His paintings sing the praises of nature, featuring mist rising from the trees, old plum trees or hackberry trees, all exuding the charm of ink and poetic quality. You Cai retired as a professor and returned to Puli as soon as he bowed out as Dean of the Department of Painting and Calligraphy Arts, National Taiwan University of Arts. His works earned the First Prize of the 7th National Fine Arts Exhibition, the Zhongshan Literary and Artistic Creation Award, the Special Prize of the National Culture and Arts Award, and he has been invited to display many works in prestigious domestic and foreign exhibitions.