Dreaming to be an artist may not be that special, but hanging onto that dream for decades is unique. A security guard in southwest China's Sichuan Province has taught us how to keep one's passion alive.

At first glance, his paintings of ordinary scenes may not seem all that impressive. But behind them is a decades-long passion for art.

Lyu Yue, 50, works as a security guard at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. But for him, the campus is not only a workplace, but also where the inspirations for his paintings come from.

Lyu said his love for the arts began when he was a kid. He failed to get into an art school, but that didn't stop him from pursuing his dream. In 2009, he quit his job and decided to stay at home to create his own art pieces.

"My family told me I cannot make money this way and what I have been making cannot be called art. I don't expect them to understand me. But I think this is worth doing," said Lyu.

Earlier this year, Lyu found another way to follow his aspiration – working on the campus of an art school. He loves to create and believes in the value of hard work. His passion for art has even brought him new friends.

"I think he's very professional. It's hard to believe he has done so much for what he loves," said Lyu Zhaocheng, a student at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute.

But Lyu said he still has many goals to achieve, with his wholehearted love for art.