1960 graduated from the Fine Arts Department of Beijing Art Normal University and chose to stay as a teacher. In addition, he also has an identity, which is the secretary of the teaching and research group of Chinese painting. During his study and work at school, many famous teachers guided him, which laid a solid foundation for his painting. Engaged in art teaching in colleges and universities for nearly 40 years, during which a large number of outstanding students were trained. At present, the prices of Mr. Li Yan's works are not very high, and the prices remain basically the same. He may be the only famous painter in his time who did not raise prices. It can be seen that Mr. Li Yan's mentality is very peaceful, without any impetuous and pride.
First of all, Mr. Li Yan has always known that good works can never be produced to cater to the market, and good works need passionate creation. Secondly, he is full of confidence in his work. He believes that truly excellent works are accomplished through the creation and experience of this painting and the combination of many other aspects.
Mr. Li Yan spent his whole life studying literature, history and philosophy, especially the Book of Changes. In the books collected by my father, Mr. Milan Kucan, and the newly unearthed cultural relics, I constantly studied and combined with modern science, and formed my own unique views. In particular, the writing, annotation and painting of the first book in his creative history, The Book of Changes, are unmatched by anyone in today's painting world.