Yan Zaoshan, a gourd pyrography artist, shows off his latest work featuring oxen in celebration of the upcoming Year of the Ox in Rizhao, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

Various nicking tools are displayed at the studio of Yan Zaoshan, a gourd pyrography artist in Rizhao, Shandong province. Gourd pyrography is the art of decorating a gourd by burning a graphic design onto its surface. [Photo/IC]

Yan Zaoshan, a gourd pyrography artist in Rizhao, Shandong province, works at his studio. [Photo/IC]

A brush pot depicting an ox is created by Yan Zaoshan for the upcoming Year of the Ox. [Photo/IC]

Yan Zaoshan works at his studio in Rizhao, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

Yan Zaoshan creates a gourd featuring oxen at his studio. [Photo/IC]