Created in 2008 and titled Pine Whispers in a Silent Valley, this horizontally elongated composition unfolds a sense of expansive depth. Ink tones follow the tension and release of the paper fibers, drifting
like mountain mists, with pine forms emerging and receding in quiet resonance. The brushwork—at once fractured and diffused—evokes a hushed stillness, as if the wind has just subsided. Vital energy circulates between presence and absence, articulating a dialogue between nature and inner consciousness. At this stage, Liu continues his experimental approach to modern ink, integrating techniques such as
rubbing, crumpling, and washes to emphasize texture and the spontaneity of natural effects. Transforming traditional brush and ink into a near-abstract visual language, the work transcends representational
landscape, embodying his mature stylistic shift from form toward atmosphere and qi-driven expression.