Spanish Vignettes

Just created this slide video for my Spain Vignettes photography 2011 and paintings 2011-2012 collection, brings back a lot of fond memories about the Spanish cities and towns. Starting with B is for Barca, Barbastro, G for Girona, A Ainsa, C Cadiz, Cordoba.. going on to Ronda with an unforgettable flamenco night, Montserrat, Morella, Valencia, and ending with Z for Zaragoza. Enjoy the spanish dance! 

Pink City

We had a lovely time by the city lake of Reykjavik called Tjomin (the pond).  The reflections of the Icelandic city buildings on the pristine ice make for a pretty picture, much like those little glass orb ornaments with a picturesque village picture in it complete with snow flakes a-falling.. :)

I especially love the church with the tall green tower spire that is unique to Icelandic churches. The structure makes a nice anchor to my lake reflections photograph as well as this acrylic art piece.  For the painting, the feel is decidedly whimsical as I gave the scene an intentional eliptic spin, reflective of our feelings on that idyllic afternoon stroll by the lake as we discovered to our delight the water has frozen over, courtesy of a cat walk on ice (literally), and later diving kamikaze ducks..  Yes we had fun, and serene peace.

Title: Pink City (A41)
Description: Warm landscape painting of Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, with the colorful architecture, church spire and sun set clouds reflecting on the city lake Tjornin.  Icelandic Series 2013.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 30 x 30cm.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik - it took me a long time to learn how to spell the most northernmost capital of the world ;p But the landscapes of the Icelandic terrain are definitely unforgettable. 

This was a distant view of the city from Perlan hill where the wintry shrubs gave a perfect frame to the unique Icelandic architecture, spires and all, with the faraway mountains and sea bay completing the composition that reminded me of an impressionist painting.  

This was the scene I most wanted to paint from the trip and it was with great joy that I finally put paint to canvas, meddling with the colours and shapes until I think I got it right.. enjoy!

Title: Reykjavik (A40)
Description: Colorful landscape painting of the Iceland capital, with the city view from Perlan hill. Icelandic Series 2013.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 30 x 30cm.

Solace

After a hiatus, I am finally back to painting with a change of scenery, literally :)  And lotsa inspiration from the surreal place called Iceland from my latest travels..

Where the elements strike stunningly close, where mother nature is omnipresent in its immense powers, and most of all, the fascinating Icelandic sun..  ever so close to earth, ever so bright, as if tempting one to touch its unseeable whiteness in the cold wintry air.

So it is that I started with painting the unforgettable Iceland sun. Which is strange as I rarely paint sunsets, a rather cliche subject to me.  But the Land of Fire and Ice changed my mind. And this may be the start of many more, in hopefully the start of a series that explores the feelings that this indelible abstract harsh lands in the cold volcanic north stirred in the artist in me..

Title: Solace (A39)
Description: A soulful piece depicting the unforgettable Icelandic sunset at the surreal wetlands of the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters in Mývatn, North Iceland. Icelandic Series 2013.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 30 x 30cm.

A Charitable Spirit for Christmas 2012

Yes it's that time of the year again, even as the mood is a tad sombre compared to previous years.  Disasters apart, natural or manmade, let's not forget the more disadvantaged amongst us. 

For this year's Christmas drive to raise funds and awareness for the World Vision Singapore Life Changing Gifts program which purchases basic necessities for needy children in the Asia developing countries, I am pledging 50% of my holidays sales proceeds to the cause.  I do hope to be able to generate a decent donation this year, as escalating inflation appears to have made the individual catalogue items costlier than previous years: http://www.worldvision.org.sg/giftcatalogue

There is a great selection of art merchandise available that will make nice holiday gifts, so have fun browsing through my Etsy or Artfire shops, especially the colorful gift sets :)  For local customers, I have started a new ShopCity outlet with Singapore prices. Do use or quote coupon code: CHRWV12 for 20% off till 30 Nov.  Happy holidays shopping!

P.s. Drop by Public Garden's Christmas Fair on Sat 1 - Sun 2 Dec 2012, 1-7pm @ MICA Building.  I'd be sharing a booth there with fellow artist, Janet Chui.

PostScript: A BIG THANK YOU to all who supported the drive!  A total of S$196 (approx US$160) donation has been made to World Vision for 11 Life Savers/Urgent gift items to needy children in 10 developing countries :)  Have a blessed Christmas, everyone!

Bell City & Uneven

Yes, bell city.  That was the impression that the southwestern port city of Cadiz gave me.  Maybe because one of the first and most exhilarating views that I had of the place is up from the windy Torre de Poniente where the distinctive tower bells of the Catedral de Cadiz overlook in various sizes over the panorama that is the glittering white Andulasian enclave of Cadiz lined by a blue Atlantic strip.

I feel compelled to paint the city in light and imbued these 2 pieces with the hues of the place.  There is no one single overwhelmingly stunning feature but the sum of Cadiz is a pleasant one and we loved the atmosphere and festivities, enjoying the architecture of the narrow streets, the parks, vistas, the laid-back ambience that can only come with a port city.  And it is this light feeling that sustained my paint strokes.    

Title: Bell City (O81)
Description: An interesting portrayal of Cadiz, a southwestern port city of Spain, inspired by tower bells at the Torre de Poniente of the Catedral de Cadiz.  Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.

Title: Uneven (O82)
Description: The buildings and architecture along the undulating narrow streets of the old town of Cadiz in southern Spain make for an interesting imagery study.   Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm. 

Corner Building

The last of my 3 Cordoba paintings, this one is a contemplative piece of a corner building that spoke to me amidst a mysterious bustling of festive activity one day in the southern spanish city.. 

It was a balmy evening and bevies and bevies of lovely Spanish ladies kept appearing, in vintage cars, horse carriages or by foot, all decked to the hilt.  Are they going to a huge fancy dress party in some grand palace?  We wondered.  So we followed.  In merriment and excitement, infected by the joyous air even though we don't speak the language.  

From the buildings to the streets, from the streets to the bridge, from the bridge to a long party crowd train, and finally to a large clearing..  It turned out to be a weeklong festival and public holiday at that, and there's a carnival going on :)  That's all.

Yet isn't this what life is about?  A celebration.  In this age of endless global economic woes and frequent natural calamities, may we learn from the Spaniards.  Treasure the moments with friends and families, treasure the caveats of peace.  Carpe diem, come what may :)

Title: Corner Building (O80)
Description: A corner building speaks to the artist in Cordoba, witness to the life and celebrations in the southern city of Spain. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.

The Spanish Courtyard

The quintessential Spanish Courtyard.. which we got an 'overdose' of at Cordoba, a gregarious city that positively overdoes itself when it comes to patio contests every spring, with the central patio of homes - an architectural feature in fashion since the days of the Romans to combat the hot climate and continued by the Moors - being decorated to manic hilt with loads and loads of overhanging pots of blossoms and plants.

The overflowing embellishments do attract attention, notably the touristy type, but what truly intrigues me is the fascinating courtyard structure itself which, like a stage, seems to beckon with mysterious drama abound, perhaps a secret rendezvous, and evokes imagination of luxurious times gone past where pleasure, or decadence, might have lain.  I half expect a court jester to jump out any minute.  

So this dark piece was created, drawing inspiration from a cordoba patio with mezquita-influenced archways, sans the distracting flora. 

Title: The Spanish Courtyard (O79)
Description:  A surreal evocative piece of the quintessential Spanish courtyard, inspired by the central patios of homes in Cordoba in southern Spain. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.

A Backstreet in Cordoba

The subversive mood just got a little darker. For reasons unknown, I am attracted to this street in Cordoba, an otherwise boisterous city in southern Spain teeming with tourists at the famous Mezquita area.  I love the place, but it gets a little heavy at times, and this quiet lane beckons with the odd fountain of an animal atop, a mythical beast I think.

Again I am painting over a previous canvas that didn't work well. Strangely, I love the green glow it provides which I leave simmering through the whites giving a rich undulating texture to the piece.  It's probably an acquired taste to like this one but it's a personal favourite. 

Title: A Backstreet in Cordoba (O78)
Description: A moody surrealistic piece inspired by a quiet lane with an odd fountain in Cordoba, an otherwise boisterous city in southern Spain.  Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.

Juxtaposition

After doing a sweet impressionist painting on Girona, I had to do something a little subversive on the spanish enclave.  I am not sure why, it's just an emotional outlet for me.  So Juxtaposition was created.

The buildings and structures are from the Girona jewish quarter but placed in a surreal swathe of matisse-influenced, almost carnival, colours.  Girona wasn't always picturesque postcard pretty.  The city is said to have undergone 25 sieges and been captured 7 times.  

Therein lies the contradiction and strangely, also the aura behind the ancient architectural pieces of this historic place.  Saccharine yet tumultuous, present quietude versus an agitated past, every pretty remnant tells a story or does it hide a secret? That is the essence of this piece.

Title: Juxtaposition (O77)
Description: A surreal take on Girona's historic jewish quarter, with buildings and structures placed in a swathe of matisse-influenced, almost carnival, colors.  Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.

Singapore Icons

I am oft asked if I have anything on Singapore, so I thought it's time I do something with the sketches I did a year ago on the Fullerton Heritage area.  And it also helps that I recently invested in a professional printer which allows me to produce and control the quality of prints of my art (incidentally an art in itself!), but also as a tool to create art :)  I'm thinking collage, I'm thinking aids for painting, I'm thinking digital art, I'm thinking functional art, the possibilities are endless :)

So this is one happy result.  I am not sure what to call the medium, maybe digital art is the apt term for want of a better description.  It's derived from my ink sketches on paper, colour painted and enhanced on my Mac, and finally formulated back into form as giclee prints.  The process is no less tedious compared to painting with brushes; there are times when I felt like splashing a real brush on the screen ;p  But there are advantages as well, for eg. it is easier to undo things that don't work.  And I can experiment colours with mad abandonment, whereas for real painting, I am slowed down by having to mix the physical paints.

Enough on the process, I enjoyed making these 'paintings' and think the exuberance shows.  I dub them "Singapore Icons" after the requests I get ;D 

Title: Marina Bay Sands; One Fullerton; Fullerton Hotel; CBD (D1-4)
Description: A series of digital 'paintings' depicting Singapore's architectural icons around the Fullerton Heritage area. Mirage Island series 2012.
Medium: Digital Art.
Dimensions: 5"x7", A4 open ed & A3 limited ed prints.
Price: $12 / 22 / 42 (~US$10 / 18 / 35).

comments: 
su f tan said... 
Abstract and beautiful!
saw han said... 
I love the prints! 
comments for MBS:
steve dawson said...
Very Much like
plain yow said...
Love the vibracy...looks like our national flag for this big day today with the red background...
madhu kumar said...
Nice one

On A Latte Afternoon

On a latte afternoon.. that was the feeling given me by Girona, a city in northeast Catalonia Spain.  A photographer's paradise, historical architectural gems a-plenty, lyrical botanical gardens, not outrageously stunning, but quiet and soothing.  Dancers on the cathedral steps, a spontaneous street band by the river, a lady with a baby pram strolls by, a wedding couple posing for their most precious moments, the sounds of celebration, nobody's in a hurry, all inter-mixing like a lyrical dance play, alluring and addictive, much like the many ice-cream palours on its streets :)

So that was how I painted Girona..

Title: On A Latte Afternoon (O76)
Description: On a latte afternoon, a chance mix of passer-bys and dancers on the street, lulling on the medieval stone steps, fleeting amongst the ancient buildings of a beautiful historic jewish quarter, much like a hypnotic dream or a lyrical play, therein lies the charms of Girona. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.

B is for Barbastro

Barbastro, a little place that we passed by en route to the Spanish Pyrenees, was quiet and run down in some parts.  But the buildings and architecture hint at a rich history of times gone by when it must have been a lustrious place.  The ancient walls and passageways must have seen many a battle from its Celtic origins, then Roman times when it got its name, to Islamic conquest as part of the Visigoth kingdom, then the Christians, reconquering by the Moors, and finally the Reconquest again when it became a bishopric seat..

I especially love this building and its narrow archway, full of antique elegance and magnetic character, like an enticing gateway to the tumultuous dreams of its glorious past, which is the essence of this surreal piece.

Title: Barbastro (O75)
Description: A surreal piece inspired by Barbastro, a city with a tumultuous past from the Celts, Romans, to the Christians, Moors, and subsequent reconquests.  Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 92 x 46 x 4cm.

Spain Camino Series@Bilbao Restaurant

If you are in Singapore and have a yearning for all things Spanish, do drop by Bilbao Restaurant and Gastrobar in Orchard, where we have a happy collaboration of Spanish food, wine AND ART.  Eight of my Spain Camino works will be here for a short stint in a genuine Spanish setting :)  Bilbao's wonderful owner, Umberto Vizcaino, is an ardent Camino lover who also shared with me his extensive knowledge of Spanish architecture and culture, but of course.  Would like to express my appreciation and thanks here :)

The Spain Camino Series created from end 2010 through 2011 is an expressionist journey inspired by the artist's sojourn on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of Saint James) medieval pilgrim route in Spain in 2010.

Spanish Dancers

I missed seeing the Spanish flamenco dancers 13 years ago when I first visited Spain.  Twas a funny tale on its own as my backpacking mate and I searched high and low for this out of the way bar famed for flamenco according to our 'gospel' guidebooks without knowing that it also means singing only.  So we happily downed a couple when we found the elusive hideout and waited all night only to learn that we are already hearing the flamenco ;p

Well this time round to Spain, I made sure we also see the flamenco.. And what a sight!  Words cannot quite describe our enthralment at the whole performance together with the vibrant singing (cante) and guitar playing (toque).  The swirls, the stances, the atmosphere, the energy, all combine for a pulsating staccato act of rich drama and passion electrifying to the senses, and that must also epitomise the Spaniards.

My rendition is quieter and more abstract but no less passionate, seeking to explore the femininity and sensuous personality of the art form through line, shape and colour.

Title: Spanish Dancers I, II (SOLD); Spanish Dancer I, II (A34-37)
Description: A series of 4 little paintings inspired by the Spanish flamenco dance, exploring the femininity of the art form through line, shape and colour. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: Each 30x 30cm.


2 comments (Spanish Dancers I): 
sagarika sen said... 
really really nice 
stella marie capao said.. 
love the color