Stove paintings in Nanxun district, Huzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Traditional stove paintings, once common decorations in rural kitchens, are finding new life in Nanxun district, Huzhou, Zhejiang province, through the efforts of veteran craftsmen and young artists.

At a village house in Shicong town, 64-year-old stove painting artist Zhong Guilin continues to create auspicious designs on old-style kitchen stoves. Using traditional pigments such as ochre, azurite blue, cinnabar, and earth yellow, he paints flowers, fish, and other motifs with a worn brush, relying on skills refined over decades.

The craft was once an important part of rural life, as families invited painters to decorate newly built wood-fired stoves. But with modern kitchens replacing traditional stoves, the folk art gradually declined.

After being included among Nanxun's local intangible cultural heritage items, stove painting has experienced renewed interest. In Yaoli village, young creators have launched the "Matisse Kitchen" project, blending traditional compositions with modern colors and artistic styles.

By combining the dedication of veteran artisans with the creativity of younger generations, Nanxun's stove paintings are gaining fresh expressions in contemporary life.