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; 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.
Price: Each $125 (~US$99).

Jello & Yolk

Was I thinking of food when I painted these two? Maybe.. unconsciously ;p  The idiosyncratic names seem to stick whenever I look at them.

Together, the works depict the quaint stone buildings in the little village of Ainsa, capital of the medieval Sobarbe Kingdom, at once mystical and drawing in its aura yet strangely familiar oriental to the asian in me.  Maybe it was the mix of influence of the Celts, Romans, Muslims, and Christians, who in turn left their mark here.  I almost thought the Chinese were here as well.  And the Chinese phrase 古色古香 (literally, antiquity colours and smells) came oft to me as we explored the Spanish medieval town, unlike any other I've seen before.  And come sun down, the spectacular drama of the village lit in orange by the unfolding pink skies was simply unworldly.  Just like the unworldly sanctuary that is Ainsa.

Title: Jello (O72)
Description: The medieval buildings in Ainsa, once Sobarbe Kingdom, each seems to tell a different story, western yet familiar oriental, and evokes deep affection in me like this one. Much like an old friend, hence the name. Spain Vignettes 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.
Price: $750 (~US$577). 

Title: Yolk (O73)
Description: At once meditative and brimming with emotions and outworldly possibilities, the enigmatic medieval kingdom of Ainsa beckons under its dramatic dusk skies. Spain Vignettes 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.
Price: $750 (~US$577).

A is for Ainsa

I thought I was done with painting Spain but a re-visit this year traversing the aragon pyrenees to the south rekindled the passion, and so it was that I started with the most memorable place that embellishes itself into my mind, and heart, forever.. Ainsa.

A little village in the Camino Aragones (see my Spain Camino series), Ainsa was once the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Sobarbe.  With a colourful tumultous history, the town saw in turn the imprints of the Celts, the Romans, the Muslims and finally, the Christians in the Reconquest of the Middle Ages. I fell in love with it at first sight, drawn to its beckoning mystique and sense of history, and knowing that I would paint it, I went about taking postcard pictures :)

Strangely this was a canvas that I had tried painting a city landscape that didn't quite work.  On impulse, I painted over it straight, and either the colours of the original canvas, or my strong emotions on reminiscing Ainsa, took over.  It was pure delirium to translate the aura of Ainsa on canvas.  And thus, the happy result where I discovered a colour tone that I have not used before but sets out the feel of the medieval architecture perfectly.

Title: Ainsa (O71)
Description: A is for Ainsa, a little village in the Camino Aragones, once the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Sobarbe and seeing the imprints in turn of the Celts, the Romans, the Muslims and the Christians in the Reconquest of the Middle Ages. I fell in love with it at first sight, drawn to its aura of mystique and history, and knew that I would paint it. Spain Vignettes 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.
Price: $800 (~US$615).

Timeless.. like a pink elephant!

I am often asked why I don't paint Singapore. The truth is, it is probably too close to heart. Even in my younger days flirting with art club and pencil portraits, I could do perfect strangers but not close ones. Maybe older is wiser for I've finally overcome the strange malaise and found an emotional arc about my homeland that I have an urge to express. 

But sorry folks, it's not going to be pretty nostalgia nor heritage, for that is never my inclination.  I call the theme Mirage Island for we are forever in a state (or being told we are so) of flux, change, crossroads, survival, etc.. What is real, what is imagined?.. What is just glittery?  What can we really hold on to?

The piece featured here should not be too hard to recognise. As for the title, your guess is as good as mine. 

Title: Timeless.. like a pink elephant! (O69)
Description: Mirage Island series, exploring the myth of Singapore whether we are real or imagined. The subject building was the General Post Office historically but is today a luxury hotel retaining the Fullerton name. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 51cm.
Price: $550 (~US$423).

A Tale of Two Publications..

They say good things come in 2s..

This week, I received my copy of the International Contemporary Artists Volume III which is a juried collection of contemporary artists' work and information that I successfuly submitted to some months ago. I know I will be featured but the quality of the volume was a wonderful revelation!  Both in terms of print quality as well as the artwork selection and array.  I spent an entire afternoon flipping through the beautiful 1-inch thick publication re-living the journeys of other artists from all around the world - some established whom I am honoured to be featured with, others emerging like myself where the thoughts resonated strongly - and being inspired by their works.  The very next day, I visited the Affordable Art Fair currently held in Singapore, and was pleasantly surprised to see the distinctive works of a fellow featured artist from South Korea, Lee Kyunglim, who uses cardboard to create object works in a Korean patchwork composition of Seoul scenes.  Print can never fully meet the exuberance of viewing the actual pieces but they give an excellent idea and representation and spur one on to want to see the originals.  That's the beauty of art!  

For the record, my feature is at Page 185 with 2 works from my Spain Camino Series featured, "Rhapsody" and "Bluesy" :)

On the local front, I just learned that I am featured in the Singapore Art Gallery Guide (SAGG) Nov 2011 issue, which is a pocket sized publication for easy carrying when visiting the galleries and is available at all the major art museums and galleries in Singapore.  The work featured here is my "Destined" cathedral piece, also from my Spain Camino Series :)

Title: International Contemporary Artists Vol III
Description: International Contemporary Artists is a series of art books, a source for artists, galleries, museums, art collectors who seek for the new trends in the world of art. They include distinguished samples of the featured artists' work and information, each one representing different trends of art. The book has been created by Eve Lemonidou and Olga Antoniadou, publishers and curators.
Publisher: ICA Publishing.
Dimensions: 11.4" x 8.2" x 1", museum quality full colour paperback 324 pages.
Price: US$120 available at Amazon.com

Title: Singapore Art Gallery Guide ~ Nov 2011
Description: SAGG is a comprehensive guide to the art and cultural institutions of Singapore, offering a wide-ranging talk about the arts - visual arts, performing arts, film and photography - in addition to providing detailed information about art galleries, performance centres, artists, exhibitions and events in town.
Publisher: René Daniels.
Dimensions: 11.5 x 21 cm, 68 pages.
Price: Free copy available at leading arts and cultural venues all over Singapore, or subscribe at S$50 for doorstep delivery of the10 issues per year. 

An annual christmas pilgrimage..

Every year this time - it almost feels like an annual pilgrimage, I start a Christmas drive to raise funds and awareness for the World Vision Singapore Life Changing Gifts program where various items of need can be selected for children in the Asia developing countries. The amount can be as little as $12 to provide a warm blanket, $20 for a pair of winter boots, or a hygiene kit or food pack.  To me, these are necessities, yet they are wanting and dependant on donors. With the floods in the region this year, the urgency is even greater. It is cliche to say this but I think whatever little help here and there that can be done, please do. The catalogue will be available soon and contribution can be made directly at: http://www.worldvision.org.sg/giftcatalogue

For my part, $5 out of every $10 sales proceeds for the month of November will go to the kitty which I will then tally at the beginning of December to make the donation.  I am starting early this year so that the donation, as well as item deliveries, can be made in time before Christmas. And oh yah, use Coupon Code: CHRWV11 for a 20% or $5 discount for purchases from my Etsy or Artfire shops respectively during this period.

Enjoy the holiday shopping!

PostScript: A BIG THANK YOU to all who supported the Christmas Charity Promotion!  A total of S$282 (approx US$220) donation has been made to World Vision for 18 items including urgent/life savers gifts to needy children in 15 developing countries :) 

The Chef

It has been a long time since I painted a portrait. I am seldom tempted as the face has to have a lot of character for me to be inspired. But when I stepped into this quaint little tapas pub on my Spain Camino trip, the traditional character of the place immediately struck me, and even more so when I caught sight of the fiesty chef-cum-owner in a whirl of activity entirely in his element.. I knew I would paint him.

But first I had to get his picture executing his fine art.  It was no easy feat as he was aware and the movement simply heightened to a blur. I could only muster a couple of quick shots aimed at the overall pub setting so as not to be rude and hoped for the best.  Blessed was I to get one clear shot below of the dignified master in action, which incidentally my guide has sent the picture to him.

When it came to painting, my expressionist tendencies and colour instincts took over but the essence of the character - a fine artisan in his element - must come through. In fact an artist remarked that the pose reminded him of a portrait of a certain young Rembrandt.  Yes, indeed.  No wonder I was attracted to this interesting character; he had reminded me of a master artist.. and my own vocation :)

Title: The Chef (O67)
Description: Spain Camino series. Expressive rendition of a tapas chef in his element, in a cool tapas pub as full of character as its animated owner. Tis a memorable encounter in old Leon on the artist's sojourn on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
Price: $750 (~US$577).

2 comments: 
su f tan said... 
Love the style of this painting! 
doreen said.. 
your style has become more free, great work!

Camino Art Journey

Just uploaded my 1st youtube video ever and it features the fotoart and paintings from my Camino de Santiago (aka Way of St James) trip created over the past year.  Must say it's a lot of work but fun experimenting with my new macbook to do this.  Enjoy!

Destined

It has been a year long art journey painting the Spain Camino de Santiago, re-living my Way of St James pilgrim hike as I go along, so it was with trepidation and exhilaration that I approached the painting of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral - the penultimate destination of the 1000-year-old pilgrimage and holding the sacred shrine of Saint James.

Arrival at the city itself initially wasn't quite the emancipating experience I expected, not with the terrifying hordes of pilgrims, tourists, and just so many people that it was disorientating. But making the way through the clutter for the first sight of the Cathedral dispelled everything. The feeling was indescribable, akin to when I first saw Angkor Wat.. It was medieval architecture at its utmost glory and no photograph could quite capture its grandeur. And so instead of snapping blindly, I chose to feel the place.. and to capture those feelings on canvas one year on..


Title: Destined (O66)
Description: Spain Camino series. A bold expressionist piece echoing the artist's emotions on arrival at the famous Santiago de Compostela Cathedral - the penultimate destination of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 91 x 76cm.
Price: $950 (~US$730).

Comments: 
rob delves said...
nice expressive work Yen!
xueling zou said...
Wonderful painting, so well done!
jeffrey said...
This is lovely!

The Bull, The Landmark & The Cowherd

Occasionally, I get into fauvist moods where I am inclined to push colour to the extreme to see how far I can go. And so it was with this experimental piece.

Maybe it was the subject matter - the bull - a beast so quintessentially a Spanish symbol that had me charging forth. Maybe it was the setting - the age-old Camino pilgrim path that has been threaded on endlessly since medieval times.

So like the emblematic lines of the Camino scallop shell signifying the various routes to Santiago, I too mapped out this work assiduously. I am still not sure if I am pleased with the result but the journey was a challenging and worthwhile one, as with the Camino sojourn.


Title: The Bull, The Landmark And The Cowherd (O64)
Description: Spain Camino series. A bold vibrant piece with strong fauve colours and mapping imagery, the work depicts an age-old rural scene of a cowherd passing at the famous landmark on the Camino de Santiago Compostela pilgrim route, near the village of Ferreiros, marking 100km or another 3-4 days to Santiago. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 102 x 76cm.
Price: $900 (~US$692).

Lonely Road

The lonely road beckons..
“Come”, whispers the lil' houses ahead, “ your dreams and wishes are just around the corner.” “Don't be afraid, we'd prop you up”, says the merry crossing. “Yes!” sinister sign gestures. “We're just a little shadow, we won't hurt you”, murmurs looming darkness.. And so lonely road goes. Because this is his existence, his destiny, to go on regardless. From beginning to end. Somewhere, somehow, it'd end eventually. Even if it feels like neverending, as it oft does, an illusion nevertheless. What is life but a path. What is freedom but a choice. Lonely road will just go on..


Title: Lonely Road (O62) 
Description: A surreal expressionist piece inspired by the artist's travels on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James) pilgrim route. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm. 
Price: $550 (~US$423).

Soulful

Buildings have souls, or so I believe.  How can they not when they are created by the imagination of humans who surely would have infused their emotions into their handiwork?  How can they not when they blend into the earth and root their existence with nature for time immemorial, oft longer than its creators?  How can they not when real living families dwell within their healing shelters and whisper untold secrets into the walls?  
And so it was that these beautiful dwellings spoke to me when I chanced upon them by the river in the lil' town of Samos, famed for its monastery on the Camino route. And I had to render it thus.

Title: Soulful (O60)
Description: Spain Camino series. An emotive expressionist work inspired by riverside houses sitting prettily in the lil' town of Samos on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 80 x 60cm.
Price: $750 (~US$577).

minimART-an artist market in Singapore, 2 July

The art and crafts flea markets in Singapore usually sell only crafts, bags and the like, rather than fine arts, so this is a unique 1-day event for those interested in affordable paintings and the like. I will be taking part with some of my smaller canvasses, miniworks and photography, and looking forward to an exciting day ahead with my fellow artists supporting the event :)

Do come by and join the fun!

Date: 2 July 2011, 10am-9pm
Venue: The Substation,
45 Armenian Street,
Singapore 179936 
Tel: +65 6337 7535
Event Link: http://minimart.yolasite.com
Venue Link: www.substation.org/contact-us/
Nearest MRT: City Hall, Bras Basah or Clark Quay

Sanctuary

I am not sure why but visiting the Benedictine monastery of Samos was a surreal yet serene experience altogether that touched my heart. The sacred walls and architecture seem to emanate comfort and solace to all who go in, leaving all our troubles at the door and bestowing our souls with a stillness of heart that was to stay throughout my all-too-brief sojourn in this beautiful little village on the Camino route.

And strolling along the river with the sunset rays dawning on the monastery, I could not help but be taken to capture its beauty on film.. and then again on canvas when I got home..

Title: Sanctuary (O60)
Description: Spain Camino series. Inspired by the Benedictine monastery of Samos, a place that emanates serene calmness and meditative restfulness, offering much needed solace for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 91 x 61cm.
Price: $700 (~US$538).

Bluesy

Another work inspired by the lyrical village of Villafranca del Bierzo on the Camino pilgrim journey.  We were here very briefly but the pretty architecture left an indelible impression -  not the stunning sort but with delicate poetism that grows on one. 

I was attracted to the light play on these buildings and intrigued by the plaque on the right, wondering if it was an ancient clock. But when it comes to painting, the composition lines inspired by the scene took over with colour to play a big part in the mood created which is central to me for this piece.  I always feel buildings have souls and wonder if they can speak, what would they say? A bluesy melancholic expression feels right here, at least to me.

Title: Bluesy (O55)
Description: Spain Camino series. Melancholy was the feeling given me by these lyrical buildings, not deeply sad but a poetic rendition of their souls. An expressionist work inspired by the village of Villafranca del Bierzo on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
Price: $750 (~US$577).