Road to golden mountain

Written By Laura Beaton

After starting this painting 9 times from scratch I completed and framed ‘Road to Golden Mountain’. It is based on the memoir of Alan K. Joe’s ‘Of Ox and Unicorn’, available on Kindle via Amazon or via paperback through Alan Joe. It

Road to Golden Mountain depicts Alan’s life journey from a young boy in China during WWII through to his life as a retired dental surgeon in Toronto.

When Alan was a young boy, his family was starving due to the ravages of WWII. Despite this, Alan’s mother rejected an offer of 8 bushels of rice from a childless woman who wanted to adopt him. Instead, she planned her son’s emigration to Canada. At that time, Canada was known as the Golden Mountain because of the abundance of wealth and how the roads were considered to be ‘paved with gold’.

Alan’s mother was unable to afford a Visa or passport so she remained in China while sending her son to live in Canada. In 1950 at the age of 13, Alan embarked on a lengthy journey to the North America: First by boat to San Francisco, then by train to Vancouver, and finally by train to Toronto, where he was welcomed to his new home by the beautiful snow-covered trees. In Toronto, Alan began to build his new life. He worked as a server at Lichee Garden to fund his university education and support his family. Through his hard work, Alan became a dental surgeon at Sick Kids Hospital.

This painting depicts Alan’s journey via a series of symbols and imageries that represent the significant milestones in his life trajectory.

Of Ox and Unicorn, memoir by Alan K. Joe; painting title 'Road to Golden Mountain'

Alan K. Joe, author of ‘Of Ox and Unicorn’. Painting title: Road to Golden Mountain, Chinese Ink on Washi (Japanese paper)

Laura Beaton

Laura Beaton is a Canadian visual fine artist working in Chinese Brush Painting, Sumi-e, mixed media, and Western contemporary abstraction. Her practice brings together Eastern brush traditions and expressive Western abstraction through colour, movement, atmosphere, and intuitive composition. Using earth tones, vibrant accents, organic forms, and layered gestures, she creates works that feel both grounded and expansive, inviting calm, reflection, and emotional connection.

 

Her abstract compositions often suggest natural rhythms, trees, landscapes, and structures of growth without relying on literal representation. Through a thoughtful balance of stillness and energy, soft tones and bold movement, Laura creates visual harmony across the surface. Her work reflects an ongoing interest in presence, coexistence, resilience, and the relationship between nature, culture, and personal experience.

Laura has exhibited in Canada and internationally, with work shown in galleries, museums, juried exhibitions, cultural institutions, and community arts initiatives. Her paintings are held in private, corporate, and public collections, including collections connected to Canada, China, and international patrons. In addition to her studio practice, she contributes as a speaker, juror, consultant supporting artists through mentorship, professional strategy, and community engagement.

https://LauraBeaton.com
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