An ancient beast with an eagle-shaped head in the book Mythic Beasts. (Photo provided to China Daily)
A trip to Dunhuang in Gansu province also inspired Shi. When he visited the Mogao Grottoes, a shrine containing Buddhist art treasures in Dunhuang, he was deeply moved by the supernatural and spiritual scenes depicted in the frescoes and the statues.
When Shi was painting his mythical beasts he retreated from city life and the internet to create his art.
Then, he went to live in Yunnan province to see animals and plants in the wild, including the animal totems of ethnic groups.
Ma Changyi, an expert on Chinese mythology and the Shan Hai Jing, says that mythology is the spiritual force of national vitality.
Meanwhile, Shi hopes his book offers a way to decode the classic that is suited to a modern audience, especially children, who tend to absorb information through pictures.
Speaking about how his art can help, Shi says: "The Shan Hai Jing has more than 31,000 words and the myths are scattered through it. So, modern readers may feel at a loss if they read it for the first time."
Referring to his book, Shi is happy that children appreciate the details in the pictures, such as swirling clouds.
