A Silk Painting, a Mentor, and the Unexpected Weaving of Lives

Many years ago, Fred Hsia left China, embarking on a new journey in pursuit of greater opportunities. With ambition and determination, he built a remarkable career as an architect, designing structures that would leave a lasting impact. But beyond his professional success, Fred also became a mentor to many—including my husband, who deeply admired him during his early years. Their connection ran even deeper—my husband’s first long-term relationship, which lasted four years, was with Fred’s daughter. Life took its own course, and years later, my husband traveled to China, where our paths crossed.

We spent six beautiful years together in China, welcoming our daughter, Opal, into the world. Recently, we returned to my husband’s hometown, Topeka, to start a new chapter as a family. One afternoon, as I wandered through the Topeka Art & Guild Gallery, an unexpected encounter brought Fred Hsia back into our lives.

Left: Fred Hsia | Right: David Beckley

There he was, the man I had heard so many stories about, standing amidst the artwork. It felt like stepping into a chapter of my husband’s past. When I introduced myself, Fred’s eyes lit up as he recognized the connection. My husband soon joined us, and the two spent time reminiscing, their conversation flowing easily, while Opal, now a spirited 1.5-year-old, darted around the gallery with the boundless energy only a toddler can muster. The moment felt almost poetic—a convergence of past and present, drawn together by chance in this quiet gallery.

As we spoke, I mentioned the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year Gala & Dinner hosted by the Topeka Chinese-American Association. Fred immediately offered to donate one of his watercolor paintings for the event. He shared that after retiring from his successful architectural career, he had become a dedicated student of watercolor at Washburn University, where he studied for over a decade. Coincidentally, his teacher happened to be Ye Wang, our past association president. It was yet another sign of how interconnected our lives had become.

A few days later, Fred, now nearly 90 years old but as sharp and vibrant as ever, called me after finishing his outdoor exercises. Despite the icy roads, he insisted on delivering the donation himself. When I offered to pick it up, he politely declined. “I can manage,” he said with quiet pride.

A silk embroidery painting enhanced with watercolor and ink, depicting a traditional rural family lifestyle in China

When Fred arrived at our door, he brought not a watercolor painting, but something even more extraordinary—a silk painting from his personal collection from another artist. He explained its intricate process: silk threads had been delicately embroidered onto the fabric, creating a textured foundation before the artist added ink and watercolor. The scene it depicted was serene and timeless—a peaceful gardening lifestyle beside a flowing river, with a couple fishing from a small boat.

A couple of days before the Chinese New Year Gala, I happened to visit a massage store in Fleming Place. The moment I stepped inside, I felt an immediate sense of tranquility. The air was filled with the soothing scent of lemongrass, and the ambiance exuded warmth and relaxation. It was the kind of place where time seemed to slow down, inviting people to breathe deeply and unwind.

On January 25, 2025, during the Gala & Dinner, Fred’s painting was part of the silent auction, which I was managing alongside June Sun. I had my heart set on bidding for it myself, but before I had the chance, a man named Matthew placed the winning bid. A pang of disappointment hit me, but curiosity took over, and I asked him why he had chosen this particular painting.

Left: Luyao (Mia) Zheng | Right: Matthew

Matthew smiled and said, “I want to hang it in my wife’s massage store.”

It took me a moment to realize—he was talking about the very place I had visited just days before. His wife, a lovely Chinese lady, owned the massage business I had so admired. It suddenly made sense. The peaceful gardening scene, the flowing river, the couple fishing—it all fit perfectly with the calming energy of the store.

"With gratitude, Fred Hsia" – A handwritten thank-you note from Ye Wang

It felt almost fated—this painting, with its serene depiction of nature and tranquility, had found the perfect home. Though I hadn’t won the bid, I couldn’t help but feel that everything had unfolded just as it was meant to, weaving together people, places, and moments in a way that only life can. Fred Hsia, the architect who once built grand structures, was still leaving his mark—this time, through his art, connecting generations and cultures in ways even he might not have anticipated.