Rinchen is the second of the first years. He is 19, and the only student from Gansu. He is from a nomad family just 30 minutes drive from Labrang. He had also studied thangka, but wanted to learn western art as well. He had been the best artist in his little local school and was definitely a big fish in a small pond there, so joining the school was a bit of a shock to him at first. Once he had settled into the family, his talent, fearlessness and sense of humor became a wonderful addition.