yen's art blog

A is for Ainsa

2011-12-24T01:04:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-11-28T06:28:00.001-08:00

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..

2011-11-19T00:34:00.001-08:00

They say good things come in 2s..

This week, I received my copy of the International Contemporary Artists Volume III which isa 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..

2011-11-01T00:56:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-24T00:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-03T21:21:00.000-07:00

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).

1 comment:
jeffrey said...
This is lovely!

The Bull, The Landmark & The Cowherd

2011-08-22T22:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-17T03:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-11T02:52:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-26T00:20:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

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).

Windows of the Heart

2011-03-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

We were only here for a supplies refresh before we continued on our Camino pilgrim journey and to visit the churches in this once important medieval town. The churches were closed but the lyrical name - Villafranca del Bierzo - should have given us a hint of the delights we were to discover here. Beautiful nooks and corners, elegant balconies with flowing flora, unusual adornments and unique architecture..

Most of all, this house captured my heart at first sight. The different shapes and sizes of the windows and their seemingly haphazard placing intrigued me immensely. I wonder what the interior is like. Is each room also oddly sized? Who lives here? What are the stories behind each of them? Do they go to the church across whose long dome shadow falls on the walls? Like the passer-by, I can only stop to surmise in fascination.

Title: Windows of the Heart (O54)
Description: Spain Camino series. A window openeth; a window shuts. Every opening or closure tells a story which an observer can only wonder about. An expressionist work inspired by an unusual house in 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).

Solitaire

2011-02-25T20:23:00.000-08:00

After a particularly long hot day's hike on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James), we finally reached the village of Molinaseca. It wasn't just relief but a sense of pure discovery joy that greeted the tired pilgrims as we descended from the historic cobblestone Roman Bridge into the narrow main street of this wondrous place.

The quaint architecture and adornments seemed to lean over and speak to me, much like going into a city in ancient times, with the brick walls whispering sounds of pleasure and offering to share secrets from their glorious or perhaps decadent past, luring the visitor to uncover the mysterious charms of the place. Except that the merrymaking sounds were real, the freshness palpable, and the offer of cool respite from a hard day's journey very welcoming as we stepped into the fold of Molinaseca.

Too brief was the visit but I was determined to paint Molinaseca. So I have used a warm palette for the buildings and free colours for the objects, with everything coming alive in a reddish twilight setting to enscapulate the mysterious beckoning spirit of this magical gem of a village.

Title: Solitaire (O53)
Description: Spain Camino series. A work emoting the sense of wonder, the sense of marvel, the sense of possiblities.. as pilgrims descend into this magical gem of a village on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route called Molinaseca. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 91 x 61cm.
Price: $900 (~US$692).

1 comment:
teri close said...
This is Bodegon in contemporary form. Beautiful work of art!

Little House On The Prairie

2011-02-19T22:23:00.000-08:00

It was our first long day hike in the mountains of Bierzo on the pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James), walking 19 kilometres from the abandoned village of Foncebadon to the pretty village of Molinaseca. There were many historical landmarks, interesting tidbits, and picturesque moments on the way but this little brick house along the path stayed in my memory long beyond..

There was a quaint little sign leading to it but it seems deserted.. or not .. I do not know and did not venture to find out. Content was I to admire it from the distance, with its little bobbing chimney, and golden glow in the sun. I loved the way the whole structure seemed to dance with the whimsical clouds on the prairie and this is what I seek to capture - the carefree spirit of the moment on this memorable trek.

Title: Little House On The Prairie (O52)
Description: Spain Camino series. A delightful little house in the Bierzo Mountains captivated me as I was trekking on the pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James). It seems deserted.. or not.. I do not know. But I loved the way it seems to dance with the whimsical clouds on the prairie and the carefree spirit of the moment is epitomized in this work. 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 70 x 50cm.
Price: $550 (~US$423).

Orchid Joy Series

2011-01-28T02:02:00.000-08:00

We all delight in blooming flowers, the flourishing beauty of it all - so brilliant, joyous, glorious, and yet so brief as if to purposely make its admirers regret and grieve over their withering and mortality when it's over. Much like fireflies whose lifespan are so short (to us humans anyway) yet always striving to shine as brightly as they can in their fleeting illumination. I often wonder if flowers can speak, what would they say?

And it was especially so with this beautiful pot of orchids that was a gift to me from a bunch of special friends. I love not just the blooms, the buds, the arcs, but the leaves, the pot, the decorative bits, even the sticks holding the stalks, the totality of it
all that was so expressive and seem to speak to me in a thousand soundless words.

And so I seek to capture the colour, the angles, the poses, in first my photography and then this series of 3 paintings, the moods, the language, and most of all, surely the joyous celebration of the moment of their lives. Because even if there were a second bloom, sadly the flowers would not be same as the ones that faded and died.

As to what happened to my beloved pot of orchids, and if there was indeed a second bloom, sigh.. read my musings for its ill-fated destiny. Sob!

Titles: Serendipity, Reverie & Chorus-y (A29-yellow, A30-blue & A31-red)
Description: If flowers can speak, what would they say? This Orchid Joy series explore the moods of a pot of flourishing orchids as they embark on a liberating journey of self-discovery, indulging in dreamlike fantasy, and climaxing for a rousing song finale. 2011.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas with sides painted.
Dimensions: 46 x 46 x 3.5cm each.
Price: $380 (~US$292) each;
$980 (~US$754) for whole series.

1 comment:
jeffrey said...
Lovely series! I like the "scribbles' on each of them. The haphazard (?)lines add a touch of sophistication to the works in its entirety And I like the poem too by the way

Picturesque Arrival

2011-01-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

My pilgrim's journey on the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage (aka the Way of St James) began at the Spanish Meseta (plateau), starting the hike from a small village called Hornillos. It was a beautiful walk, lined with many pretty wild flowers amidst a backdrop of rolling green hills and valleys. "Buen Camino" (good way) was the greeting we call out to fellow pilgrims on this lovely hike as we journeyed on, listening to many a wonderful tale about the area, from the history of the boulders remnants along the path, to even conservation help for the path from quarters as far away as, amazingly, south africa.

But nothing beats the joy in our hearts as we approached the picturesque village of Hontanas, nestling comfortably in a beautiful valley and with the pilgrim's path going beyond up a hill yonder. The village dome building in particular seems to leap and speak to me, as with the trees on the distant hill. I knew I had to paint this scene, this feeling of jubilance. So I got my trusty camera out and took many pictures as we walked the pretty path into Hontanas, a wonderful stop for pilgrims to rest and unwind, and not forgeting to collect a stamp or two from the local tavern, before continuing on with the pilgrim's journey. Much like the journey in life, we encounter beautiful surprise highlights along the camino way, and this was a memorable one.

Title: Picturesque Arrival (O50)
Description: Spain Camino series. An exuberant piece featuring the Meseta (high plains) section of the pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James), which passes through many a picturesque local village like this one called Hontanas. 2010.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
Price: $750 (~US$577).

2 comments:
alice said...
Lovely!
demeter gui said...
Wonderful landscape, excellent painting!

Rhapsody

2010-12-11T01:58:00.000-08:00

Rhapsody is the first work in my Spain Camino series. I had revisited Spain in June this year, this time to the northwestern part to hike the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage (aka the Way of St James), well at least bits of it. My journey went from Bilbao en route through several historic towns before reaching Santiago de Compostela where the tomb of St James lies. Burgos was our first "great Gothic cathedral" stop and a fave of mine :)

I love the winding streets, the poetic window sills, the bustling yet leisurely and relaxed atmosphere, with people from all over - pilgrims, adventurers, tourists, residents - all merrily enjoying the place and interlude in time. And this is the theme of Rhapsody - unconnected, rambling, yet naturally in harmony and peace, like a carefree bohemian song.

Title: Rhapsody (O48)
Description: Spain Camino series. A lyrical expressionist piece inspired by the bohemian atmosphere in the streets of Burgos, the historic capital of Castile, and on the famous pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James). 2010.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
Price: $800 (~US$615).

Those Were The Days ( 小时候 )

2010-11-16T23:14:00.000-08:00

小时候，我喜欢看电影的感觉。不，应该说我喜欢去那种旧式戏院看电影的感觉。当我们走近电影院，就会看到那超大型、把宣传片画得栩栩如生、十分动人、人物好象随时会从画面里跳出来的手绘海报！旧时的海报，就是那么精彩万分、富有充满想象力空间的立体感觉，让人不期然地对那继将上映的片子充满期待，太美妙了！

而小小的我，一直奇怪为什么那海报可以在某一天突然象魔术般地换画，这么高、这么大，他们是怎么办到的？再来，旧的海报又如何处理，好东西都给谁拿去了？好多的好奇，又没有人可问，或好意思问… 当时的我，甚至立志长大后，要做那画海报的伟大画师，那我就可以天天挥一挥大彩笔，制造一出出美丽的神奇，让世人惊叹，还可以寻找出我那许许多多问题的答案… 当然小时候的我，志愿天天变，比电影院换画还要快，哈哈！

唉，如今新加坡已极少或没有这种电影院了。所以，这次台湾行在台南的街道拐个弯突然看到这间超好玩的“全美戏院”，欢喜的不得了，好象找回失而复得的儿时记忆。真想把整座电影院搬回家！想一想，除了过关卡有点小问题外，在新加坡它恐怕难逃被拆的命运吧… 只好拍张照留念，回到家再把那小时对旧戏院的情忆结，构成一幅画。

Title: Those Were The Days (O46)
Description: A surprise encounter with an old cinema during a visit to Tainan, Taiwan, evokes many a happy childhood memory of the cinemas of old in Singapore. I love the old cinemas for their handpainted cinema billboards and wanted to be a billboard artist when I was young. 2010.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
Price: $750 (~US$577).

5 comments:
beibei said...
Wow.. i love that billboard.
jeffrey said...
This is THE cinema that Lee Ang used to frequent when he was still in High school in Tainan! And the painting rocks btw..
sookliang said...
在脑海里的回忆，一触不可收拾。那俊男美女的布画让我遐想到画师是如何画得栩栩如生。。。。那被丢弃的彩画是如怨妇般的可怜。。。忘了一时多少人的如此的欣赏。。
wilson said...
very artistic feel...
jiajia said...
love this new piece!

$5 U&Me Christmas Charity Promotion !!!

2010-10-29T02:26:00.001-07:00

Here is how it works. All works purchased directly from my online art shops enjoy *$5 or 10% discount from now till Christmas. For each purchase, *$5 or 10% from the sales proceeds that I receive will be donated to World Vision Singapore for their Life-Changing Gifts programme, where as little as $12 can provide a warm jacket & $20 can purchase a pair of winter boots for children in developing countries in Asia. I hope to bring some cheer to the children in time for Christmas and some of these items are urgently needed, do support! * Items < $10 or > $100 will enjoy 10% discount (instead of $5) and I will donate corresponding amount.
My online shops: artfire, etsy, fineartamerica & ebay (prices are discounted in the shops).

PostScript: Merry X'mas All & a BIG THANK YOU for supporting the Christmas Charity Promotion, which drew to a close with a S$135 (approx US$103) donation made to World Vision for several urgent/life savers gifts to needy children in 6 developing countries :)

The Way ( 道 )

2010-10-24T01:11:00.000-07:00

An expressionist piece that I had to paint twice to get the feeling that I wanted to achieve right, which I will leave to the viewer to interpret.

The scene was inspired by a picture that I took at the beautiful Confucian Temple in Tainan, south Taiwan. Red is a colour that I have found to be very beautiful and expressive since I started this Taiwan series and never more evident than in this work which I thoroughly enjoyed its richness in my execution.

Title: The Way (O45, SA30)
Description: An expressionist piece inspired by the Tainan Confucian Temple in Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行台南孔庙之“道”。
Medium: Oil on Ready-To-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76x60cm

Price: $750 (USD577).
Mini-Acrylic Work 18x12cm: SOLD.

Enlightenment ( 悟 )

2010-10-17T02:08:00.000-07:00

The Longshan Temple in Lugang, central Taiwan, dedicated to Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy), is one of my fave temples on this trip to Taiwan. The structures are ancient yet elegantly beautiful and well-preserved, maintaining the feel befitting of its history and age. Like a grand old dame. Indeed it is known as the "Forbidden City in Taiwan", dating from the Ching Dynasty.

I especially love the exquisite wood carvings and colourful paintings. This corridor was filled with streaming light even though it was not a particularly sunny day, epitomizing a sense of tranquility and enlightenment. Hence the inspiration for this piece.

Title: Enlightenment (O44, SA33)
Description: The light-filled corridor at the Longshan Temple dating from the 1786 Ching Dynasty in Lugang, central Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行鹿港龙山寺之“悟”。
Medium: Oil on Ready-To-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76x51cm
Price: $550 (USD423).
Mini-Acrylic Work with brown cardboard frame 25x20cm: $35 (USD27).

Colours with Passion Exhibition 17, 19-30 Sept

2010-09-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

Do drop by if you can, admission is free. The opening is this Friday 17 Sept and the exhibition will play daily 19-30 Sept. I am privileged to be a part of a wonderful group of ladies and we had both fun and challenge putting together:

An exhibition by 5 women artists, with diverse backgrounds and styles, converging together for a unique showcase of their works depicting a variety of subjects and themes, yet unified by a common passion for colours.

The exhibition will feature my Taiwan & Scotland -inspired works.

Date: 17,19-30 Sept 2010, 11am-7pm
Opening: 17 Sept 2010, 7pm-9pm
Venue: Tembusu Art Gallery
140 Hill Street #01-05
MICA Building
Singapore 179369
Tel: +65 63371027
Website: www.tembusu-art.com.sg
Nearest MRT: City Hall & Clark Quay

Blooming Happiness ( 满满的幸福 )

2010-09-10T21:34:00.000-07:00

Flowers, flowers, flowers everywhere! Gleeful were my friends and I when we discovered this field while taking a walk in the countryside at Jiji in Nantou, central Taiwan.

And the warmth and joy of that afternoon was what I seek to capture in this piece, with a touch of enigmatism added to the final oil work, as I wondered what was the source of our happiness that day. Was it the flowers? Was it the setting? Was it the company? Was it the strange shaped building yonder? Or was it simply the surprise bouquet combination of it all?

Title: Blooming Happiness (O43, SA37)
Description: Taiwan series. From a visit to Jiji, Nantou, in Central Taiwan, where we literally stumbled on this blooming field with beautiful flowers to our utter delight. 2010.
台湾行集集之“满满的幸福”。
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76x60cm
Price: Pl enquire. Painting currently with Tembusu Art Gallery.
Mini-Acrylic Work 18x12cm: SOLD.

Contentment ( 简单的快乐 )

2010-09-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

Happiness can be so simple. I was moved by the serene scene of sunrays falling warmly on some houses at the Yangmingshan National Park where a gigantic overhanging white cloud seemed to be sheltering and protecting the humble abode. Hence I took a picture and created a longitudinal bookmark shot of this sunset scene, from which my painting was born.

I had thought it would be a simple painting to do. In the end it took longer than expected as I experimented to re-capture the wondrous feeling of that evening. It seems the path to happiness is not easy, but it is good when I get there :)

Title: Contentment (O42, SA38)
Description: Taiwan series. Simple living, simple happiness. Inspired by a dusk scene at theYangmingshan National Park in Taipei. 2010.
台湾行阳明山之“简单的快乐”。
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76x51cm
Price: $550 (USD423).
Mini-Acrylic Work with grey blue cardboard frame 25x20cm: SOLD.

An Old Port Town ( 鹿港老街 )

2010-09-04T23:09:00.000-07:00

We almost didn't make it to Lugang. There was a hiccup finding transport to get us there from Central Taiwan. Lucky we did get there eventually because it was a nice laidback charming old town with historic archictecture and many nooks and corners to explore.

I especially like the old street and this sign that leads to it, the bustling yet serene old port town atmosphere, which I seek to capture in this semi-abstract piece.

Title: An Old Port Town (SA31)
Description: Taiwan series. An abstract piece epitomizing the activities of the Old Lugang Township on the west coast of Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行之“鹿港老街”。
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 51cm.
Price: $550 (USD423).
Mini-Acrylic Work with maroon cardboard frame 25x20cm: $45 (USD35).

Messages From The Past ( 古老的信息 )

2010-08-15T00:34:00.000-07:00

The old township of Lugang in central Taiwan is a charming place to visit, not too touristy and most of all, the character of the old shops in all kinds of odd shapes and sizes are retained and selling a fascinating array of colourful knick-knacks and stuff.

I was thoroughly enjoying myself browsing the shops with my friends when I spotted a Japanese photographer taking a picture of a beautiful door of a closed foresaken-looking storefront. With the whistling winds, the fluttering red pieces of paper gave the place a mysterious feel that seem to transport me to the days of old. I decided to shoot the storefront from the side in order to capture the effect of the wind, with the swinging red lantern adding to the atmosphere.

It was this romantic windswept feel of ancient Chinese times that I seek to capture with my strokes when I painted the piece, with the postbox adding the touch and link to modernity, as if the past is whispering its mysterious messages to the present.

Title: Messages From The Past (O40,SA29)
Description: Taiwan series. Inspired by the Lugang Old Town in Central Taiwan, this atmospheric piece uses strong contrast, bold colours and swift movement to juxtapose the romantic past with the present. 2010.
台湾行鹿港之“古老的信息”。
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76x60cm
Price: Pl enquire. Painting currently with Tembusu Art Gallery.
Mini-Acrylic Work with biege cardboard frame 25x20cm: $45 (USD35).

1 comment:
zemphira said...
i like your messages from the past.

Secret Bliss ( 美丽的秘密 )

2010-07-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

It was the first day of a brand new year, after particularly bad weather and a freezing night on New Year's Eve at Jing Gua Shi near Juifen in north Taiwan. The weather has calmed somewhat and the air fresh and crisp, so I decided to take a walk in this mountainous region and chanced to come across this window ruins.

I was simply intrigued by its beauty - the beckoning layers of windows and doorways within left standing and the intricate pattern of planks and wild plants lit by the filtered light. One wonders what this residence used to be like, who used to live here - was it a family? were there young children? how did they make a living? did they have a garden? what was their life like? And above all, why it lay in this mysterious ruinous state today.

Title: Secret Bliss (O39,SA34)
Description: Taiwan series. Depiction of beautiful window ruins in Jing Gua Shi, North Taiwan, with an intriguing sense of mystery emanated by the layers of interiors and intricate patterns within, and of what it might have been. 2010.
台湾行金瓜石之“美丽的秘密”。
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 45cm.
Price: $400 (USD308).
Mini-Acrylic Work 18x12cm: SOLD.

breakthrough 2010 exhibition 3 ~ 19 june

2010-06-02T03:37:00.000-07:00

If you are in the Tanjong Pagar vicinity, do drop by for the annual group exhibition - Breakthrough 2010 - organised by fill-your-walls gallery with the aim of developing new audiences for emerging local artists. The opening night is this Saturday:

Exhibition: 3 June to 19 June 2010
Venue: 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd #04-01, S(088444)
Opening Hours: 10am-10pm daily
(except Wed & Public Holidays)
Opening Night: 5 June, 7pm

I have 1 painting - Zing - selected :)

101 Exuberance ( 101之喧哗 )

2010-05-23T01:46:00.001-07:00

My friends and I had arrived in Taipei on a trip on Christmas Day and had a wonderful evening enjoying the lovely mood and festivity even though it was not an official public holiday there. The energy and exuberance of that night was best epitomized by a picture I took that had Christmas lights and decorations streaking and fusing with the city lights and the omnipresent Taipei 101 skyscraper, once the tallest building in the world, in the backdrop.

Hence, I aimed to capture the wondrous mood of the beautiful Taipei city on that evening with my strokes and colours on this abstract piece - colourful yet not gaudy, boisterous yet not rowdy, spectacular yet not bling - an exuberant city of clean good fun and bright youthful hope.
Title: 101 Exuberance (O31,SA32)
Description: Taiwan Series. An abstract piece of the Taipei cityscape at night, with the ubiquitous Taipei 101. 2010.
台湾行台北“101之喧哗”。
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76x60cm
Price: $650 (USD500).
Mini-Acrylic Work with brown cardboard frame 25x20cm: $45 (USD35).

2 comments:
ruping said...Beautiful artwork from a talented friend.
john williams said...
Bold and Vivid and I can feel the movement-well done-John

Serenity ( 緑息 )

2010-04-28T01:49:00.000-07:00

This abstract piece is inspired by one of the pictures I took while on a leisurely trip in Taiwan with a group of good friends and meeting other good friends there as well. As chance would have it, I got to visit Yangminshan National Park even though it was at the end of the day when we got there. We got a bit lost on a trail and were cold and hungry by the time we reached the Visitor's Centre, but all was forgotten when we got to witness beautiful dusk colours, like this forest scene, and a glorious sunset.

It is exactly this feeling that I want to capture with my colours and strokes on this green-themed piece - the feeling of beauty, the feeling of serenity, the feeling of unhurried leisure, the feeling of one at peace with nature, swaying with the soft winds and rays of gentle sunshine.Title: Serenity (O30,SA35)Description: Taiwan Series. An abstract piece of trees at the Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei, Taiwan. 2010. 台湾行阳明山之“緑息”。Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60x45cm
Price: $400 (USD308).
Mini-Acrylic Work with green cardboard frame 25x20cm: $45 (USD35).

3 comments:
piety dsilva said...Nice composition.
ayan ghoshal said...Wonderful...!
maria rova said...This is beautiful, love the peaceful, inviting colours!

Taiwan Series (台湾行系列) & Pameran Poskad Exhibition 18 apr ~ 1 may

2010-04-11T05:21:00.000-07:00

The second part to my mini-works series inspired by my Taiwan trip. The series will be displayed at the upcoming Pameran Poskad exhibition starting this Saturday at my art space. Do drop by!

Exhibition: 18 April to 1 May 2010
Venue: 21 Tanjong Pagar Rd #04-01, S(088444)
Weekdays (except Wed): 1-7pm
Sat & Sun: 11am-7pm
Opening Party: 17 April, 6-9pm
Preview: 17 April, 3pm

Title: Contentment (SA38)
Description: Simple living, simple happiness. Inspired by a dusk scene at theYangmingshan National Park in Taipei, Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行阳明山之“简单的快乐”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: SOLD.

Title: Blooming Happiness (SA37)
Description: From a visit to Jiji, Nantou, in Central Taiwan, where we literally stumbled on this blooming field with beautiful flowers to our utter delight. 2010.
台湾行集集之“满满的幸福”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: SOLD.

Title: Autumn Dance (SA36)
Description: Autumn leaves dance at the Yangminshan National Park, Taipei, Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行阳明山之“枫舞”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: SOLD.

Title: Serenity (SA35)
Description: An abstract piece of trees at the Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei, Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行阳明山之“緑息”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: $45 (USD35).

Title: Secret Bliss (SA34)
Description: I came across this window of ruins while taking a walk in Jing Gua Shi near Juifen in north Taiwan, and I was simply intrigued by its beauty, the sense of mystery emanated by the layers of interiors and intricate patterns within, and of what it might have been. 2010.
台湾行金瓜石之“美丽的秘密”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: SOLD.

Taiwan Series (台湾行系列) ~ Part 1

2010-03-28T00:23:00.000-07:00

I have been having an artist block of sorts and decided to go back to painting small sketches which I am happy and most relaxed doing. Coincidentally I had submitted to take part in the upcoming Pameran Poskad, a group exhibition of postcard sized artworks that sounded like fun to me.

One my happiest recent travels is a trip to Taiwan with a group of old friends. We had a rollicking good time eating, I mean visiting, the towns and places of interest from Tainan to Central Taiwan and back to Taipei. So it was that I decided to paint postcard sized pictures inspired by my Taiwan trip, hence this series of mini-works that will be displayed at the Pameran Poskad exhibition on 18 April to 1 May 2010 at my art space.

Title: Messages From The Past (SA29)
Description: Inspired by the Lugang Old Town in Central Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行鹿港之“古老的信息”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: $45 (USD35).

Title: Confucius Temple (SA30)
Description: At the famous Tainan Confucian Temple, Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行台南之“孔庙”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: SOLD.

Title: An Old Port Town (SA31)
Description: An abstract piece epitomizing the activities of the Old Lugang Township on the west coast of Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行之“鹿港老街”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: $45 (USD35).

Title: 101 Exuberance (SA32)
Description: An abstract piece of the Taipei cityscape at night, with the ubiquitous Taipei 101. 2010.
台湾行台北“101之喧哗”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: $45 (USD35).

Title: Enlightenment (SA33)
Description: The light-filled corridor at the Longshan Temple dating from the 1786 Ching Dynasty in Lugang, central Taiwan. 2010.
台湾行鹿港龙山寺之“悟”。
Medium: Mini-acrylic on canvas paper.
Dimensions: 18x12cm
Price: $35 (USD27).

firstfridayartwalk 5th mar

2010-03-04T19:41:00.000-08:00

i have recently started selling paintings on etsy and am participating in my 1st firstfridayartwalk on etsy today, which is much like a flea market concept with stalls participating on the first friday of every month, except you stroll by the stalls online by clicking on the member roster or using search tag: firstfridayartwalk :)

do have a browse through as i am having a promotion today:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/yenpaintings

i have also started a shop on artfire, with promotion today as well:
http://www.artfire.com/users/yen

Kaleidoscope

2010-01-28T22:00:00.000-08:00

Another work inspired by my last Scotland trip.The reference pic was taken when I was re-visiting the Highlands on the train and as usual, the typical 'atmospheric' (read: rainy) Scottish weather prevailed. When we weren't shrouded in fog, the window panorama threw up some really dramatic 'cloudscapes' and all I could do amidst the high speed frenzy was clicked optimistically hoping to catch some of these gems, however blurred the result may be. This shot was one of them and I loved the fisheye effect.

But when it comes to painting it, my colour instincts took over completely. My original photo is called "eye of a storm"; the painting result is however more of a kaleidoscope of colours with all the elements of nature - ocean, mountains, islets, beach, sky, clouds - interacting and encircled in a harmonious peaceful scene. Hence the name "Kaleidoscope".

Title: Kaleidoscope (O29)
Description: Highlands from the train. Inspired by the atmospheric 'cloudscapes' whilst travelling in the Scottish Highlands by train. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 60cm.
Price: $550 (USD423).

christmas special 09

2009-11-22T04:45:00.000-08:00

since i am still in a full-time job and haven't made the plunge to be a poor poor artist ;p thought i do my part to contribute to rebuilding efforts for the victims of climate-related disasters beleaguring the region of late (and i am not referring to aid for the floating posh cars in bt timah).

i usually contribute to world vision, as what i've seen of their work seems aimed at building long-term sustenance rather than once-off relief.

once upon a time, i thought i could be a salesperson, or more specifically an ads creator. i had fun doing this ad whether it works or not. if it looks familiar to you, hint hint.. it's created from a pic i took in a place in scotland.

PostScript: A special note of thanks to all who supported this Christmas Special. Am pleased to announce that the proceeds have been duly donated to World Vision relief funds for the natural disasters beleaguring the region & to charitable causes under the Caritas Singapore Community Council.

Zing

2009-11-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

Having travelled extensively and visited many a european city, it had been a long time since I was so strongly attracted to a place. And I was only passing through Aberdeen for a couple of hours en route from the Cairngorms National Park to take a ferry to the Shetlands on this Scotland trip. Funnily I was just looking for food when I walked up from the bus terminal to what looked like the "Orchard" area. I like the vibes of the city. Maybe it was the genial Scots, maybe it was the students, maybe it was the buildings setting, somehow it felt like I was in Harry Potter land..

And then I chanced to see in the distance what I learned later to be the Castlegate square. It drew me instantly like a magnet. I was especially fascinated with the hexagonal 1686 mercat cross (market cross) with a vertical post and white unicorn at the top, that symbolized the burgh's (Scottish town) right to trade. It was also the site of royal proclamations and public executions.. oops, in the old days I mean.. believe it is the host of less hazardous activities nowadays ;p

I love the square and the way the particular lamppost stand out against it. Giving the pic I took a 'photoshop' treatment produced a wonderful red sky drop in sync with my feelings about the sense of the place. I changed the composition somewhat when I did the painting for better spatial perspective and gave full play to the interaction of the subjects, creating lots of movement for the eye.

Title: Zing (O27)
Description: An expression of the whimsical interactive energy that the Castlegate square of Aberdeen gave to me, despite it being known as the Grey City. The buildings, citadel, mercat cross, and even the lamppost, seemed to speak to me when I was there and it was this strong attraction, together with my impressions of the captivating vivacity of Aberdeen, that I seek to express with my colours and strokes. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: Pl enquire. Painting currently with Tembusu Art Gallery.

alfresco art fair 30 oct ~ 1 nov

2009-10-24T23:15:00.000-07:00

do pop by clifford square (between one fullerton and clifford pier) this coming weekend (fri to sun, 10am-7pm) if you'd like to see some art in action by the bay:

it's organised by fill-your-walls with the aim of de-mystifying art-y terms like impressionism, cubism, surrealism, abstract expressionism, etc, and should be fun for both kids AND adults ;p admission is free.

in any case, do come visit me.. i'm helping out at the booths on 31 Oct & 1 Nov afternoons.. plus ya, i do have one art work selected for the exhibition :)

Autumn Thoughts Series ( 秋念系列 )

2009-10-18T00:26:00.000-07:00

Autumn is a favourite season of mine, perhaps because I don't live in a place with four seasons and don't have to face the prospects of a bleak cold winter ahead with all the bothersome things associated with it. And coming from a country with tropical greens all-year round, the gloriousness of autumn colours never fails to amaze me.
So when I travel, this is usually the season I try to catch - not the hot hot summers where I have had more than enough in my home country, not the cold cold winters even though the sight of snow is exciting to me as well - although spring is a close second preference. But the autumn window is notoriously brief and hard to time, sometimes arriving too early sometimes too late.. but when I did have the privilege to witness the grandeur, it's such a blessing, sigh..
Yet this beautiful transient period is such a provocateur of conflicting emotions - stimulation at the visual treat of nature at its surreal best versus trepidation of what is to come after - so we angst over the beauty, the brevity, the fragility of life, the effluxion of time - even the chinese character for autumn ( 秋 ) with a heart ( 心 ) at the bottom means sorrow ( 愁 ).
When I decided to paint autumn landscapes, this becomes a natural theme for my experiment with expressionism - a season of change, a season that prompts many thoughts - a season for contemplation ( 静禅 ), solitude ( 独思 ) & decisions ( 抉择 ), the titles of my 3 pieces in this Autumn Thoughts series.

Title: Contemplation (O24,SA26)
Description: Autumn is a season of change, with nature seemingly determined to depart from spring with a climax of its most glorious colours before retreating to bitter winter. It is also a period that provokes the most conflicting emotions. Contemplation is the 1st work in my Autumn Thoughts series and exhibited at the inaugural alfresco art fair @ clifford square from 30 Oct~1 Nov 09. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 45 x 45cm.
Price: SOLD.
Mini-Acrylic Work (with biege cardboard frame) 22x21.5cm: SOLD.

Title: Solitude (O25,SA27)
Description: The second work in my Autumn Thoughts series. Aloneness with one's thoughts is the theme of this piece. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 45cm.
Price: S$99 (USD82).
Mini-Acrylic Work (with biege cardboard frame) 24.5x20cm: SOLD.

Title: Decisions (O26,SA28)
Description: Autumn Thoughts series. The inevitable need to find meaning and resolution in our thoughts is the central theme behind this piece. 2009.Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 45cm.
Price: S$149 (USD125).
Mini-Acrylic Work (with champagne cardboard frame) 25x20cm: SOLD.

7 comments:
anna jasmin said...
This painting (Contemplation) attracts, and I am happy it does. It possess a certain awe. Love looking at it!
jeffrey said...
I like the lighter shades in Solitude - kind of resonates with the theme how the colours of life start fading away when autumn beckons, don't you think? =)
beibei said...
like Contemplation and Decisions. Stronger Autumn Colors for me. I love Autumn too..那多事的秋。
jiayi said...
I like Solitude as well. 喜欢比较细腻的画作。
allison said...
Beautiful painting (Contemplation miniwork) (I just got it framed and hung and love it) and a great seller. Thank you!
janet said...
Just wanted to let you know that I received your painting (Solitude miniwork) yesterday.. Safe and sound, I love it!!
melissa forcier said...
Really beautiful!! (Contemplation painting)

Sketch Delight

2009-10-04T00:52:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do something relaxing for a change. And I'm happiest doing sketches. So when a friend remarked that she likes a mini-acrylic sketch I did last year as a learning piece from an art book which she described as warm and cheerful, I decided to do a full-size sketch work. And I really mean sketch as an end-product.

The art book in question was by Joyce Pike and the reference was a still-life picture of antique-ish objects and warm flowers. At the time I did the mini-sketch, I liked the raw strokes and colours of the sketch stage so much I stopped there. I don't even remember the details of the original reference pic anymore. It doesn't matter as my intention is to create a bright and cheery piece looking like a sketch with my newly-bought big brush that I was so excited to try. And I had great fun doing this.

In the end, I am quite pleased with the result as it makes me smile when I look at it. I may develop a delight series out of this.. Some folks, not knowing what to make of it, enquired (politely) if this was an abstract piece ;p Well, semi-abstract it'd be then. After all, that's the point about sketches and what I love about them - unclear yet full of potential and possibilities so I will leave the viewer to his or her own imagination.

Title: Sketch Delight (O23,SA11)
Description: Riotous fun with orange and all sorts of colours for this semi-abstract piece of vases of flowers on a table. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 45cm.
Price: S$400 (USD308).
Mini-Acrylic Work (with pearl white cardboard frame) 30x23cm: SOLD.

2 comments:
tina said...
i like this... very diff from those we have seen @ the exhibition.
karen said...
My dad absolutely loves the mini work, Sketch Delight, that I bought him for Christmas! :) We agree its strong points are the vivid colour play and animated brush strokes. The level of abstraction is just perfect... it's detailed enough for us to identify the subject but still leaves room for individual interpretation. Keep up the fantastic work, we look forward to seeing (and supporting) more of your art! :)

Cathedral Mountain

2009-09-06T22:50:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd piece on Cathedral Mountain. And no, it's not Ayers Rock which many people thought it was. The pic was taken after another long wet day on the 60-kilometre Overland Track from Cradle Mountain to Lake St Clair in Tasmania when we reached our hut and lo and behold, the mountain was right before us in all its glory and made the day's tough trip all well and worth it :)

Whereas Tree And Cathedral Mountain (post below) carries a degree of foreboding as we were journeying on, this one evokes a sense of renewed exuberance. And it is hoped that the same goes for my artistic journey, with twists and turns not knowing what the future may hold but with rewards of joy along the way to spur me on :)
Title: Cathedral Mountain (O22,SA25)
Description: Behold the Cathedral Mountain, Overland Track, Tasmania. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 50 x 40cm.
Price: S$300 (USD231).
Mini-Acrylic Work (with dark green cardboard frame) 25x21cm: SOLD.

1 comment:
ping said...
does look like Ayers Rock...

Tree And Cathedral Mountain

2009-09-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

After using painting knife for a long spate, I suddenly missed my brushes and decided to try a new approach using short vertical strokes and simplifying the objects in the scene. In a sense, I was gravitating towards the abstract. I was never a realist anyway and more of an impressionist but I needed to establish an identity. Many have said that my colours are distinctive but something more is needed.

Flipping through my photos, I came across 2 pictures from my hiking trip in Tasmania on the Overland Track (some say Underwater Track) that gave me strong indescribable feelings. They both have this imposing mountain aptly called Cathedral Mountain, the 1st in the distance taken when we were hiking towards it, and the 2nd captured when we've reached our hut that has the mountain as a magnificient backdrop.

I did both paintings at the same time and they therefore have a common colour palette. They are an experiment and different from my past works. But I do think that they convey the feelings that the pics and my remembrance of the trek gave to me.

Title: Tree And Cathedral Mountain (O21,SA24)
Description: On the Overland Track in Tasmania with Cathedral Mountain in the distance. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 50 x 40cm.
Price: S$300 (USD231).
Mini-Acrylic Work (with burgundy cardboard frame) 24.5x21cm: S$35 (USD25).

exhibition 4~28 aug !!!

2009-07-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

okay, i get excited. but this is a BIG milestone for me. i finally have an opportunity to exhibit a handful of my paintings together with 5 great ladies artists:

i was very worried when i was told that i needed to come up with 20 invitees' names for the opening night. going by past experience, i'd be lucky if i can even get 5 people i know to attend. imagine my surprise when friends and acquaintances rallied to my support, some of whom i haven't seen for years, i was so touched to say the least, sob!

thanks again, everyone, and for all the well wishes! sure hope everything will turn out well.. tis gonna be a memorable august 2009 for me :)

Approaching Storm II

2009-07-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

The 2nd piece is based on a pic taken whilst I was in Bhutan doing the Druk Path Trek which is a 5-day trek from Paro to the capital Thimphu. Let's just say it was a very himalayan adventure ;p

I had a great time in Bhutan despite being ill initially and the nice feelings were to stay with me for a long time after. So when I did this piece, the pleasant feelings just translated into the peaceful pastels for the Paro Valley setting. I can't think of Bhutan without a smile on my face so even though this is an approaching storm scene, it emanates a message of peace and serenity.

This painting is also available at the 6 perspectEVEs exhibition on 4 ~ 28 August 2009 at The Art Loft @ Volvo.

Title: Approaching Storm II (O18,SA10)
Description: Peace and beauty prevails at Bhutan's Paro Valley even with creeping storm. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 45cm.
Price: SOLD.
Mini-Acrylic Work (with dark green cardboard frame) 25x21cm: SOLD.

Approaching Storm I

2009-07-19T05:45:00.000-07:00

To round off my cloud-themed series, I decided to do 2 works simultaneously that involved clouds in the backdrop. As it turned out, both reference pics I chose happened to have mountains.

The 1st is an opportune shot I took while descending on the plane to Capetown at the southern tip of South Africa. It shows the city's omnipresent Table Mountain which seemed to carry a beacon of hope at the top amidst a gathering storm over the sprawling city. Capetown is an exquisitely beautiful, sparkling city - exotic, colourful, exciting, even dangerous, full of contraditions, and somehow the wilderness is always nearby in Africa..

Suffice to say, my trip was a memorable one by all accounts. And somehow, the vibes of the place came through when I did the painting. My colours got stronger and stronger and I ended up with a colourfully drama piece which hopefully captures the unique essence of the place. This work will be displayed at the 6 perspectEVEs exhibition on 4 ~ 28 August 2009 at The Art Loft @ Volvo.

Title: Approaching Storm I (O18,SA9)
Description: Hope amidst an approaching storm at Capetown's Table Mountain. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 45cm.
Price: SOLD.
Mini-Acrylic Work (with burgundy cardboard frame) 24x21cm: S$35 (USD27).

1 comment:
tt said...
Like the picture "The approaching storm 1". Good effort.

Cloud Series ~ The Dome

2009-07-17T23:52:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting piece that seems to provoke rather diverse comments. When I created it, I was simply looking to develop my cloud series and found this moody cloud-church pic from my europe trip 3 years ago.

I had a busy time in Paris trying to catch as many museums as I could which was a bit tricky with all their er.. brief opening hours ;p Literally, with like minutes to closing, I had dashed into Rodin's Musée Gardens to visit The Thinker and chanced to look up and saw this in the distance. So I snapped an under-exposed photo to capture the cloud drama around what I thought was some cathedral. It was only when I was naming the painting that I did some digging and found that this was no ordinary church. The Église du Dôme is the most striking feature of the Eglise Saint-Louis des Invalides royal chapel specially constructed in 1679 in an extensive ex-military complex that holds the tomb of one Napoleon Bonaparte..

With a grandiose title like that, I'm not sure if I've done justice to the history behind the dome, but this was one piece where I literally gave full play to the clouds and made the colours swirl from the dome to the moon, and back. I wish I could give some logic to what I did or intended but this was a purely instinctive work, so the interpretation is really up to the eye of the beholder!

This work will be displayed at the 6 perspectEVEs exhibition from 17 ~ 28 August 2009 at The Art Loft @ Volvo.

Title: Cloud Series ~ The Dome (O17,SA8)
Description: Moonlight serenade of the dome of Les Invalides in Paris. 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 50 x 50cm.
Price: S$350 (USD269).
Mini-Acrylic Work (with dark green cardboard frame) 21x18.5cm: SOLD.

5 comments:
shu laang said...
Nice, very dreamy and deja-vu :-)
serena said...
There's a magical Disney-like quality... Sorta like Aladdin.
jeffrey said...
I thought "The Dome" had a religious touch. Domes in Churches are somewhat like repositions of the heavens above and many domes carry paintings of God in the center of the Dome (which suggest that God is watching over the people on Earth). The brightly colored clouds that seem to come out of the Dome in this painting seems to represent "Hope", "Life" that comes from the heavens above.
weishian said...
I especially like the Clouds – Dome and the Mornington Peninsula – Tea at Boathouse.
kmwatkins said...
a great painting, yen!

Cloud Series ~ The Lamppost

2009-07-17T23:08:00.000-07:00

When it comes to clouds, how can I forget the Scottish Highlands where the ever-changing weather and sky conditions make for the most dramatic surrealistic breathtaking scenery ever. Period.

So my 2nd cloud painting had to be sourced from the trip photos of my favourite place on earth. The reference pic, a favourite of mine, depicts a typical Scottish lamppost with flowers silhoutted against dancing clouds that seemed to gravitate towards a deserted fort at the Isle of Skye. The word Skye derives from the Norse word Skuy meaning clouds, so apt for my cloud series..

While the original pic was cool in hue, I interjected an orange glow for the sunset setting and had fun with all sorts of colours on the clouds. The result is a tad bold but this is probably the strongest I'd ever get in a painting.. I think.

Title: Cloud Series ~ The Lamppost (O16,SA7)
Description: I was drawn to the dancing clouds framing the silhoutte of a lamppost and a deserted fort at the Scottish Highlands. 2008.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 50 x 40cm.
Price: S$300 (USD231).
Mini-Acrylic Work (with azure blue cardboard frame) 21x18.5cm: SOLD.

1 comment:

anna jasmin said...

The contrast is captivating, this piece draws my attention and I love the serenity.

Cloud Series ~ The Log

2009-07-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

My 1st series!!! Well, at least I'm calling it so - zee Cloud Series. I've written about how this piece came about before (see current work post) so I will not repeat.

The reference pic was taken at my 2nd backpacking trip, and one of my best trips, to the Canadian Rockies which seemed like eons ago now. I was trudging around Tunnel Mountain at the Banff National Park in dramatic conditions (i.e. trying desperately not to be blown off) when I came across this fallen tree log and was dumbfounded by the scene, with the golden brush rustling against it up into the horizon where ominous clouds gather above the hint of the Voodoos glacial mountains in the distance. I had a wonderful adventure at the Rockies with stunning scenery aplenty but in terms of intensity, this pic best captures the tintillating wilderness of the elements of mother nature in this beautiful region. And it was with this intensity in mind that I laid the thick knife strokes and bold colours.

I'm proud to announce that this painting will be shown at the 6 perspectEVEs exhibition on 4 ~ 28 August 2009 at The Art Loft @ Volvo.

Title: Cloud Series ~ The Log (O15,SA6)
Description: Capturing the dramatic tension between the elements at the Canadian Rockies. 2008.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 50 x 40cm.
Price: $315 (~US$262).
Mini-Acrylic Work (with red cardboard frame) 23.5x21cm: SOLD.

1 comment:
jeffrey said...
"The Log" is captivating!

Mornington Peninsula ~ Simon's Vintage Stuff

2009-07-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

Finally, I had to do a painting on the wonderful collectibles of our host - photographer-cum-vintage collector-cum many other interests - one Simon Wong's house in Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula, which is incidentally an area with plentiful flea markets and op-shops (viz charity antique shops). Many an evening we spent listening to his oldies vinyl records, like this Beatles one, on his antique gramophone going round and round..

This nice cream-coloured table was by the window and one afternoon, the sun rays came beautifully through the blinds creating an intricate lace pattern on Simon's "gu dong" stuff. Naturally all of us present couldn't resist whipping our cameras or mobiles to capture the effect.

I started with a sketch where the colours worked pretty well, even though they are quite different from the original scene. Then I moved on to a canvas experimenting with my new found painting knife method which is especially good on glass objects. It's a pleasant painting to do and brings back nice memories of our stay at Simon's house where time seemed to stand still and we relaxed and had endless chats without modernities like the TV in the way of what living should be about. Haha.. since that memorable trip, the vintage habit has rubbed on at least 2 of the group.. luckily I got restraint as it is a rather expensive hobby to have in Singapore! Title: Mornington Peninsula ~ Simon's Vintage Stuff (O14, SA5)
Description: A charming table of vintage stuff at the house of photographer Simon Wong in Dromana, Mornington Peninsula. 2008.Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: SOLD.Mini-Acrylic Work (with red cardboard frame) 24x21cm: SOLD.

Mornington Peninsula ~ Tea At Boathouse

2009-07-08T01:50:00.000-07:00

Besides outdoors, the Mornington Peninsula area also has charming restaurants. This particular one called Boathouse is beside an art gallery and we spent a leisurely afternoon having long discourses over tea and cakes in the al fresco sitting at the back which is beside a river and has lovely greenery filtering the sun rays much like a Monet painting.

The soft yellowish-green lighting of the scene from my reference photo is what I started with as the main toning for the painting. However, as I started to do the table cloth and objects, I started getting adventurous on the colours. The table is tilted up for better composition and perspective. The end result is I think a quaint painting, just like the restaurant ;p

Title: Tea At Boathouse (O13)
Description: Tea table at a quaint monet-like restaurant called Boathouse, Mornington Peninsula. 2008.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 50 x 40cm.
Price: SOLD.
Mini-Acrylic Work (with lime green cardboard frame) 26x21cm: SOLD.

3 comments:
mary c. aikens said...
I really like your paintings very much. You have captured the use of color... The "Street Scene in Arles" and "Tea At Boathouse" are among two of my favorites of your paintings..
beibei said...
Peace and serenity
weishian said...
I especially like the Clouds – Dome and the Mornington Peninsula – Tea at Boathouse.

Mornington Peninsula ~ London Bridge

2009-07-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

The trip to the Mornington Peninsula has got to be my most productive art trip ever because I continued to paint it long after getting home to Singapore, testament indeed to the wonderful lighting and strong colours of the place, the feelings it invokes and why it is a popular artist enclave.

I started this oil piece using brush and ended up with painting knife instead and this marked the start of several knife pieces. The setting is a dramatic arched rock shaped like a bridge, hence the namesake of the iconic bridge. While the view was stunning when we visited the coast, it was incredibly hot and well impossible to paint without fainting so we did the next best thing and took pictures ;p

First I did a sketch on acrylic paper in a tilted position like my photo which turned out well and then progressed to canvas. With the larger space, I wanted to do more to elicit the feeling of strong bright colours that the scene gave me, which I wasn't quite able to achieve until I started experimenting with the painting knife. There was no turning back after that.

Title: Mornington Peninsula ~ London Bridge (O12,SA3)
Description: My tilted impression of the dramatic London Bridge rock formation at the Mornington Peninsula. 2008.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: SOLD.
Mini-Acrylic Work (with dark green cardboard frame) 27x21cm: SOLD.

1 comment:
alice said...
I really like this one...

Mornington Peninsula Art Trip ~ Sorrento Portsea Artists Trail

2009-07-05T04:54:00.000-07:00

To complete the trilogy of 'decent' plein air works from the memorable art trip down under, this one was done at a secret secret place by virtue of the fact that we had a tip from a local artist and still took a few wrong turnings before finding this wonderful trail.

As the work title goes, it is a historic artist trail which has become a millionaires walk no kidding ;p After checking out the millionaires' mansions, no really, the path itself for a good spot to paint, we decided to go back to the beginning of the trail which has ample space and a few viewpoints of the distinctive boathouses on the coast. It was a very hot day so the challenge was more to complete before we melted ;p

I love the pattern woven by the bridges to the boathouses and how they interweave with the lovely patterns of seabed and different hues of the bay waters. I used a portrait view to exaggerate this pattern and had fun creating the sense of perspectives from multiple colours and dulling them with the distance. Initially I included the cliff fence at the bottom but removed it later back home because it distracts from the composition.

Title: Mornington Peninsula ~ Sorrento Portsea Artists Trail (A8)
Description: Plein air work at Australia's Mornington Peninsula. 2008.
Medium: Acrylic on Panel (flat).
Dimensions: 40 x 30cm.
Price: SOLD.

1 comment:
carol pino said...
I really like the Sorrento's Portsea Artists' Trail Monrnington Peninsula, Victoria... I love your bold yet nuanced approach to color.

Mornington Peninsula Art Trip ~ Cape Schanck

2009-07-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

My 2nd favourite piece from the art trip is this "Budha Palm" rock at Cape Schanck which just screams to be painted. Okay I'm exaggerating. But this unusual rock formation which we had to lug our stuff all the way down an eternal flight of wooden bridge steps to reach did give us all The Feeling, so to speak, to start work immediately.

Not that we had a choice given the challenging conditions. Dramatic setting means spectacular wave sprays and winds, not to mention flying pebbles and worst of all, the sandflies and awful bites! My acrylic paint seemed to dry as soon as I squeezed them out and I actually wore sun-glasses (to the amusement of my fellow artists) to keep out the sand blizzards. It was no wonder that my initial work ended up a tad "overly wild" for the skies and I had to tone it down subsequently back home. But I do like the rock piece effect. And this is a good companion piece to my Mornington Pier work (below) which I have hanging together in my bedroom :)

Title: Mornington Peninsula ~ Cape Schanck (A7)
Description: Plein air work at Australia's Mornington Peninsula. 2008.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 30 x 25cm.
Price: SOLD.

1 comment:
sarah said...
This painting is truly beautiful. My friend is Australian and misses home from time to time...it's his 50th birthday..i know he will love this gift. Thank you!

Mornington Peninsula Art Trip ~ Mornington Pier

2009-07-02T02:23:00.000-07:00

I've written about this amazingly fun art trip down under before so I'd concentrate on the artworks, starting with one of my favourites which somehow everything clicked just nicely for this plein air piece.

It was late morning when we arrived at Mornington Pier and the sight of the many boats and yachts bobbing along on the soft turquoise waters just gave me a very pleasing feeling. I especially like one particular wooden-planked navy blue tented boat so I decided to use it to anchor my composition. At the time I was reading up a lot on Cezanne and it just came naturally that I should tilt the front boats up for better compositional shapes never mind the distortion in perspective. I also consciously shortened the length of the masks to create depth of the boats but exaggerated the one on the front right yacht for a strong vertical to balance the horizontal components. Everything worked well enough and the pastel colours just came naturally to match the boat that I liked and started with, so the only challenge was to get it all done before our stomachs came a-growling for lunch time ;p

Title: Mornington Peninsula ~ Mornington Pier (A6)
Description: Plein air work at Australia's Mornington Peninsula. 2008.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 30 x 25cm.
Price: SOLD.
Prints available for purchase at my artfire shop.

1 comment:
fauziah said...
I love the mornington pier it looks so alive..

Learning from the Masters

2009-06-24T06:18:00.000-07:00

One of the fun things that my art class taught me was that masterpieces are not as hard as they look to reproduce. It is the process of creation, coming up with the idea, the composition, the colours, the textures, the sum of the parts to achieve the iconic piece, the thinking and meaning behind it, that is the genius of the artist. And this we learned by each choosing a masterpiece to paint. At the time, the most obvious choice to me was Starry Starry Night. I thought it would be very difficult. To my surprise, it was one of the most relaxed pieces to do because all the artistic decisions had already been made by no less than Van Gogh, haha..

Much as I am anti-copying, I learned that it is a very useful practice to emulate works of masters, if only to open my eyes to possibilities that I have never thought of before and to gain an insight into the thinking process behind the works.

The works of Cezanne have always fascinated me and the best part was I could not fathom why they were so intriguing until I started painting and reading up on art literature. He is not called the Father of Modern Art for nothing obviously, having shown the way, post-Impressionism, to artists like Picasso. I love his impossibly-genuis compositions and use of greens. Plus, he paints the most luscious-looking apples ever period ;p

So here are some of these masters "copies" or influenced works..
Title: Learning from Van Gogh ~ Starry Night (O11)
Description: Learning piece. 2005.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 50 x 40cm.
Price: S$99 (USD82).

Title: Learning from Cezanne ~ Pines and Rocks (W2)
Description: Learning piece. 2008.
Medium: Watercolour Work.
Dimensions: 26 x 19cm.
Price: S$35 (USD29).

Title: Learning from Cezanne ~ Under The Trees (W3)
Description: Learning piece. 2008.
Medium: Watercolour Work.
Dimensions: 23 x 16cm.
Price: S$35 (USD29).

Title: The Binary (A5)Description: This piece was created for the fill-your-walls Apple-on-Canvas launch exhibtion on 12 Dec 08, and a nod to my favourite artist, Cezanne. 2008.Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 25 x 25cm.Price: SOLD.
2 comments (starry):
jeffrey said...
Not bad!
beibei said...
Niceeee... I like Van Gogh...

Watercolour Hiatus

2009-06-01T01:55:00.000-07:00

My main medium is oil which I use in the studio, or acrylic when I paint outdoors. Occasionally I'm enticed to dabble in other media for the fun of it or when I'm having a block with the canvas. So it was that I was having a particularly long block that I decided to have a go at watercolour which I've been told is the most difficult medium of all. In fact, several of the experienced folks at my art class started with watercolour and are now firmly attached to the canvas ;p Too much heartbreak, they say.

So it was with great trepidation that I started on watercolour.. and learned first-hand all the things that I had been warned.. tremble, tremble, joking.. I'm no watercolourist but it had been a fun experiment. I learned the essentialness of thinking and planning everything ahead, the importance of decisiveness in colour, stroke, and amount of water in the brush, and of course, the criticalness of delivery where a single mistake will cost the whole piece - and somehow it almost always does.. sigh.. that's why I say I'm not a colourist. Too much heartbreak, indeed ;p

But I do find that the watercolour experience helps when I reverted back to oil and found fresh perspectives. When I travel on my own, it has become a habit to bring my little watercolour pad because it's the easiest medium to bring, in case I do find the opportunity to paint. So here are some of my "experiments", for good or for bad.

Title: Sunrise At Halong Bay (W4)
Description: Impressions of Halong Bay, Vietnam. 2007.
Medium: Watercolour Work.
Dimensions: 30 x 23cm.
Price: SOLD.

Title: Trees At Overland Track (W5)
Description: Eucalyptus trees at Overland Track, Tasmania. 2007.
Medium: Watercolour Work.
Dimensions: 30 x 23cm.
Price: SOLD.

Title: Iona Abbey (W6)
Description: Inspired by the beautiful columns of an ancient abbey at Iona Island in the Scottish Hebrides. 2007.
Medium: Ink & Watercolour Work.
Dimensions: 24 x 18cm.
Price: NFS.

Title: Iona Ruins (W7)
Description: Ancient ruins at Iona Island in the Scottish Hebrides. 2007.
Medium: Ink & Watercolour Work.
Dimensions: 24 x 18cm.
Price: SOLD.

1 comment (Halong Bay):
karen said...
... gorgeous... pretty impressive, in my view.

1 comment (Overland Track):
beibei said...
Somehow i like this

Seasons ~ Autumn Crescendo

2009-04-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

The reference photo for this piece was taken on the famous 100-mile Klondike Highway from Skagway, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, paralleling the White Pass Trail of the 1897-98 Klondike Gold Rush. I love this shot because it shows the winding road flanked by tumbling autumn slopes with majestic snow-laden mountains interpersed in clouds looming ahead. Everything folds into a kaleidoscopic centre where the highway appears to dip into a lake, hinting at the drama and spectacle that lays ahead.

I did the watercolour piece at a time when I was experimenting with watercolours, which I learned to be an unforgiving medium when it came to mistakes. However, I was really pleased with the nuanced effects I could achieve for the clouds interplay with the mountains. Later when I moved back to oil and started using painting knife, I decided to try this piece in a different mood. I had been trying to learn colour theory from artbooks which somehow stifled my inspiration, so this piece was a happy comeback explosion of sorts for my colourful palette. In the end, I have 2 works on the same scene but varying in medium and moods - one bold and glorious, the other subdued and pensive - echoing respectively the sweeping events of the grand epic adventure that was the Klondike Gold Rush and the poignant poetic side of the individual human stories.

The oil piece will be displayed at the 6 perspectEVEs exhibition from 17 ~ 28 August 2009 at The Art Loft @ Volvo.
Title: Seasons ~ Autumn Crescendo (O8)
Description: On the Klondike Highway from Alaska to Yukon. 2008.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 73 x 60cm.
Price: S$500 (USD385).
Watercolour Autumn Highway (W1) 41x32cm: S$80 (USD62).
2 comments:
alice said...This is gorgeous!
judy said...
Your use of color adds excitement to your work! I love your treatment of the mountain scape in Autumn Crescendo and the lovely Winter Wonderland.

Seasons ~ Winter Wonderland

2009-04-20T22:46:00.000-07:00

I have a penchant for using moody reference photos with muted colours for my paintings because they give free rein to my imagination and I am not so influenced or constrained by the local colours. I am also a believer that a painting should not copy the original photo or scene slavishly, or I may as well take a photograph instead. In any case, my photos are works in their own right for that medium, at least I think so ;p As a result, I am not a realist painter and have strong leanings towards Impressionists and post-Impressionists styles.

So it was with this particular piece that my feelings of delight and wonder translates into a canvas of fantasy colours for a beautiful winter scene that I woke up to from my tent whilst on a trek in the Himalayas during a memorable adventure to the remote kingdom of Bhutan. Winter Wonderland aptly describes my bursting sense of joy and happiness like a child discovering a treasure then. It is thus the name for my painting as well as my photo, different they may look visually but encompassing the same magical emotions that I had felt and wanted so much to convey and share.

The painting took part in my art space's 2nd Juried Show on 25 ~ 27 Mar 2008 and was displayed at the 6 perspectEVEs exhibition on 4 ~ 28 Aug 2009 at The Art Loft @ Volvo.

Title: Seasons ~ Winter Wonderland (O7)
Description: Inspired by a beautiful winter scene one morning on the Druk Path Trek in Bhutan, this piece delights with its fantasy colours, evoking the feelings of joy and wonder of a child discovering a treasure. 2006.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: S$500 (USD385).

5 comments:
jeffrey said...
I like Winter Wonderland
karel said...
Personally like the piece named Winter Wonderland
gavin said...
amazing artwork.....loved the winter stuff
judy said...
Your use of color adds excitement to your work! I love your treatment of the mountain scape in Autumn Crescendo and the lovely Winter Wonderland.
sorin apostolescu said...
Beautiful artwork !!!

A Street In Arles

2009-04-11T23:36:00.000-07:00

A couple years back, I took a hiatus from work and went gallivanting in France & Scandinavia for a good 2 months, which was altogether fun, funny and challenging since I speak no French.. ;p But I had to visit the art museums in France (and they are really good - when they are not closed ;p ) and pay pilgrimage to the land of my favourite Impressionist artists. So naturally I made my way to Provence and ambled into Arles, which I learned to be Vincent van Gogh's place except there wasn't a painting of his there and his studio had been destroyed in WWII. Nevertheless, I was much inspired by the place, especially the lovely uneven buildings with multi-coloured tiled roof intertwined in a fascinating maze of narrow winding streets, which probably accounts for this being considered Van Gogh's most creative period.

So it was that I painted this particular piece from a reference photo which was actually quite muted in colour but the feeling and atmosphere of my stay in Arles came through in the gay colours I put to the buildings of this street scene of a middle-aged lady going home. The bags may seem heavy but the mood is not, with hope and warmth represented by the strong lighting that I added to the scene. This was also one of my first oil pieces using painting knife and I found that the splattering effect turned out well on the buildings and pavement :)

The painting will be displayed at the 6 perspectEVEs exhibition on 4 ~ 28 August 2009 at The Art Loft @ Volvo.

Title: A Street In Arles (O6, SA1)
Description: Inspired by the narrow winding streets of Arles, Provence, France. 2008.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: SOLD.
Mini-Acrylic Work (with burgundy cardboard frame) 24x21cm: S$45 (USD30).

5 comments:
mary c. aikens said...
I really like your paintings very much. You have captured the use of color. I also use much color in my artwork. The "Street Scene in Arles" and "Tea At Boathouse" are among two of my favorites of your paintings.
beibei said...
I like this
valerie said...
I loved your painting of Arles. I hope to visit someday. In the meantime, thank you for capturing and sharing with us this beautiful place through your works.
teckmeng said...
I too like your piece of Arles. Been to France before but never knew that place even existed.
huilin said...
i like this one =) inspiration from??

Cambodia Angkor Wat Art Trip

2009-04-03T05:46:00.000-07:00

Painting plein air, or in the open air. It sounds so cool, especially when this was popularised by the Impressionists who believe in capturing natural light. For me, working outdoors is altogether very exciting and challenging. Most of all, it forces one to make decisions quickly and accelerates the learning process.

Whilst I have had the odd paint-out day trip from time to time, my 1st major painting journey of notable length was a 1-week hiatus to Siem Reap with my art class in Dec 2006, a very memorable and fun trip for reasons other than artistic ones ;p

I discovered that I had to make the hard choice between being a tourist or a painter, because if I give in to my traveller's urge to go about shooting the gorgeous architectural ruins, I have no energy left to paint. Conversely, to get any serious work done, I should just set up shop at a good spot as soon as possible (preferably with ample shade that can last the next couple hours and hopefully no mozzies) whilst repressing my tremendous urge to go around to explore. Being an amateur artist, I pretty much oscillated between the two ;p

Anyway, here are some of my plein air efforts from the trip when not gallivanting around with my camera:

Title: The Unfinished Entrance At Bakong (A3)
Description: Siem Reap's Bakong Temple, Cambodia. 2006.
Medium: Acrylic on Panel (flat).
Dimensions: 40 x 30cm.
Price: SOLD.

Title: Preah Khan (SP1)
Description: Siem Reap's Preah Khan Temple, Cambodia. 2006.
Medium: Pencil Work.
Dimensions: 30 x 25cm (with frame).
Price: SOLD.

Title: Bayon (SI3)
Description: Siem Reap's Bayon Temple, Cambodia. 2006.
Ink Drawing (mounted on display board) 27x24cm: SOLD.

Title: Tree At Preah Khan (SI4)
Description: A beautiful fig tree at Siem Reap's Preah Khan Temple, Cambodia. 2006.
Ink Drawing (mounted on display board) 27x24cm: SOLD.

2 comments (Bayon):
jeffrey said...
Bravo!
alice said...
Indeed!

Dreams ~ Girl At Angkor Wat

2009-04-03T04:39:00.000-07:00

I was on an art trip to Siem Reap when I finally found time to climb to the top of the main temple complex where the architecture was really beautiful and the views fantastic. There I found this young Cambodian girl in a sarong sitting nonchalently, oblivious to the going-ons around her, not to mention the hoards of tourists. Unlike other children, she has a quality of enigma, dignity and air wise beyond her years. In another country, another place, in different circumstances, she could have been a blossoming star even..

There she sat twirling her kerchief, as if pondering her dreams and what could have been. Hence the title for this poignant piece.

Title: Dreams ~ Girl At Angkor Wat (O5)
Description: A young Cambodian girl at the Angkor Wat temple ruins, Siem Reap. 2007.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: SOLD.

Leisure ~ Street View Through Stained Glass

2009-04-02T02:38:00.000-07:00

The reference photo (below) for this work was taken during my solo journey through Egypt, a particularly eventful and unforgettable one even as backpacking trips go. I had started my adventure from sunny Aswan, the southern end of the Nile, and slowly made my way up to the chilly north, arriving at long last to chaotic Cairo. After all the desert and sands and ruins, it was really disorienting coming back to civilisation, and an ecclectic one at that, not to mention constantly trying to avoid being run down by the mad honking traffic. So it was with relief when I found this nice peaceful cafe for a tea break. My seat was beside a lovely tainted window overlooking a busy market street which finally allowed me to enjoy and appreciate the energetic buzz and charms of Cairo from a "safe" distance ;p

The painting reflects my relieved restful and relaxed mood at the time and the european feel that Cairo gave to me. I maintained the colour scheme and shapes of the original window panels but took liberty with the buildings, vehicles and passer-bys on the street according to the mood I wanted to convey ~ that of observing in contemplation a bustling street with everyday life going-ons on a lazy leisurely afternoon with the colourful panels offering different pictures, perspectives and moods of the scene, much like a reflection of the trials and tribulations in life.

Title: Leisure ~ Street View Through Stained Glass (O4)
Description: Inspired by a window scene from a cafe in Cairo, Egypt. 2007.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.

Price: SOLD.

3 comments:

alice said...

Cool!

gerry said...

Starry Night and the stained glass oil painting are my favorite.

weishian said...

Leisure ~ Street View Through Stained Glass piece was pretty unique..

Pigeon Symphony

2009-03-31T05:12:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, the feel is just so strong that makes it easy when I do a painting. This was one of them. The reference photo (below) is a favourite photo of mine which I took whilst on a backpacking trip to East Europe with 2 good friends. We were in Krakow's Rynek Glowny Grand Square, the largest medieval town square in Europe. The pigeons were so much a part of the hustle and bustle of this lovely place. I especially like how they sat around the fountain enjoying the cool flowing waters, a parallel congregation to us happy human beings also gathered at this great square conversing, relaxing, observing, idling or generally enjoying the life and great atmosphere here.

The way the pigeons positioned at this rounded fountain also reminds me of an audience listening intently at a concert arena, except in this case they are attending a "fountain symphony" with music courtesy of the rhythmic white waters. With so much feel, the colours just came naturally that I can't even explain my method, if there was one at all. Perhaps they are an expression of the music that I imagined the pigeons were listening to.

Title: Pigeon Symphony (O3)
Description: Pigeons enjoying the flowing fountain waters at Krakow's Rynek Glowny Square. 2006.Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: SOLD.
Print available for purchase at my artfire shop.

3 comments:
trudy said...
the colours are really unique in that painting, what was your inspiration?
jeffrey said...
Well done! Lovely
sharon mau said...
this is a fabulous painting, very beautiful work.

Other works on East Europe:

Title: Window Display (A2)
Description: An enchanting window display of a lady in red at a Budapest shop. 2005.
Medium: Acrylic on Panel (flat).
Dimensions: 41 x 33cm.
Price: S$49 (USD38).

Title: Krakow Bell Tower (A4)
Description: Reach for the gigantic bell at Krakow's Bell Tower! 2006.
Medium: Acrylic on Panel (flat).
Dimensions: 40 x 30cm.
Price: SOLD.

Title: Zakopane Hut I & II (SA22, SA23)
Description: At Poland's Tatra Mountains where I find the triangular shape of the huts most interesting. 2008.
Mini-Acrylic Works (with yellow-gold cardboard frame) (I-21x15cm II-21x14.5cm): I-S$15 (USD12) II-S$15 (USD12).

Seascapes ~ The Rock

2009-03-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

This piece was inspired by my trip to Scandinavia and the Norway Lofoten Islands. I arrived in crappy weather which was to persist the few days I was there until the morning of the day of my departure when glimpses of the sun finally appeared belatedly and the fog started to disperse. That was when I took a walk at the coast of Å where I was staying and fell in love with this little rock islet. So I took out my sketchbook and spent about an hour behind a rock wall hiding from the chilly winds and inking the scene.

Back in Singapore, I did the oil piece with the colours and strokes flowing freely, seeking to relive and capture the feel of that lovely morning at Å. Ironically, by the time I left the Lofotens, the sun was shining so brightly and the skies so clear and blue that it looked like the bad weather never was. Perhaps, my liberal use of bright orangey yellow was an unconscious reflection of that irony! This was also my 1st exhibited painting in a showcase of student works entitled "Colours of Life" at my art space on 4 ~ 5 Nov 2006.

Title: Seascapes ~ The Rock (O2,SI1)
Description: Inspired by the Norway Lofoten Islands. 2006.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: S$300 (USD230).
Ink Drawing (mounted on display board) 27x24cm: SOLD.

1 comment:
cheri said...
Nice work with such bright and vivid colors. Keep up the good work.

Other works on Norway:

Title: Norwegian Alps (O9,SA2)
Description: Inspired by wintry scenery whilst on a train ride in Norway. 2008.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
Price: SOLD.
Mini-Acrylic Work (with biege-gold cardboard frame) 21x18.5cm: SOLD.

Title: Portrait ~ Norwegian Artist Kaare Espolin Johnson (O20)
Description: An ode to the artist whose works struck a chord with me when I visited his art museum in Kabelvag on the Norway Lofoten Islands. 2007.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 50 x 40cm.
Price: S$150 (USD115).

Seascapes ~ Destiny

2009-03-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

This work marks my foray into using oil instead of acrylic to do landscape. It was really exciting as the medium offers so much flexibility and possibility even at the sketch stage. The vividness of the colours stay better unlike acrylic which tends to dull a bit after a week. And of course, oil is removable (in most cases anyway) which makes experimenting and changes easy and is the reason why people say it's the easiest medium for art. Of course, it's not without its minuses, like the smell and having to wait for it to dry relatively before moving to the next stage to avoid muddiness.

With this and the teacher's encouragement to go thick, I "took the plunge" literally and applied really thick (by my standard then) slabs of oil and go with my natural instinct for colours for this scene from my South NZ trip where I had taken a whale-watching trip off Kaikoura. It was a wonderful ride and the photo captured a magic moment when we chanced upon a resident fishing boat that attracted a lot of seabirds including huge albatrosses. I love the photo and hope to capture the spirit and romanticism that this scene conveyed to me - that of a lone boat staying afloat on rocky waters yet optimistically rolling along with the rhythm of the waves towards its destination flanked by birds that seem to aid it on its journey.

Title: Seascapes ~ Destiny (O1)
Description: One of my first oils, a depiction of the joyful sense of purpose this scene of a boat in choppy waters off Kaikoura, South NZ, gave to me. 2005.

Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.

Dimensions: 50 x 40cm.

Price: $300 (~US$250).

Glacier Valley At Franz Josef

2009-03-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

This was one of my first landscape pieces after joining my art space, where I learned spatial (near-far) perspective and optical mixing, an impressionist technique that involves say putting 2 colours beside each other instead of mixing the pigments so that the intensity is retained. Except in my case I went riotous with the colours. It was great fun doing this piece :)

The reference photo (below), a shot from my trip in South NZ, looks quite different but it had evoked in me a sense of mystery and fantasy which invited me to run free with my imagination, at least colour-wise.

Title: Glacier Valley At Franz Josef (A1)Description: Evoking a sense of mystery and fantasy to this glacier valley scene at Franz Josef, South NZ. 2005.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 46 x 33cm.
Price: SOLD.

1 comment:
weishian said...
Glacier Valley At Franz Josef has a pretty modern touch, to me that is.

framing

2009-03-15T05:17:00.000-07:00

does framing make a painting more beautiful?

for practical reasons, my paintings are mostly unframed as it makes it easier to store and also to deliver for sales. moreover, those done on canvasses are ready-to-hang as all i have to do is insert 2
screws behind and tie a rope across.

that said, i think framing does have an impact, sometimes spectacular i dare say.

i have a lot of "mini-paintings" so-to-speak, which are really sketches i do for learning or before I embark on the full-size version on canvas. recently, i came across rather delightful colourful cardboard mounts in an art shop, those with holes in the middle for putting photographs. so i tried "framing" some of my sketches with these. the effect is fabulous, at least i think so ;p check it out: mini-paintings.

they'd make pretty gifts :) i like them so much now i am at 2 minds whether to sell or keep ;p

art sales

2009-03-15T05:04:00.000-07:00

i have had some queries if my paintings are on sale and how i price them.

the 1st one's easy: of course, all of them! unless sold already or not with me. for those works that i have not indicated prices, it just means i haven't had the time to agonize over it (so check with me) which brings me to the 2nd question.

let's just say pricing is an incredible headache and heartwrenching dilemma for me. okay, i'm exaggerating. my rule of thumb is to go by medium type and size, then adjust according to quality and if it's a personal favourite.

i know this may sound a bit arbitrary but there is logic behind it. oil pieces cost more in terms of materials than say watercolour and uses up a lot more blood, sweat and tears ;p and generally, the bigger the canvas, the greater the input.

quality is harder to explain. it is a part of my learning curve as i progress and learn to critique artwork in general and hopefully being able to achieve a measure of objectivity about my own. the last factor is rather subjective, but then again, this is probably the single most popular reason to why people buy paintings. simply put, personal liking is a barometer of my own reluctance to part with a piece that i like ;p

so there you go, my warped rationale. and of course, some sceptics say i need to join the dearly departed in order for the prices to reach an appreciable level, ironically, for me to make a decent living ;p

speaking of sales, to address, erm, a slight storage problem, i am starting to list selected work on ebay at bargain prices from time to time so watch out for it.

and finally, to do my part to promote owning art in Singapore, do vote for your favourite artworks and email it to onghy3@yahoo.com.sg with subject heading "Yen's Free Art" to get a free artwork.

current work

2009-03-15T00:47:00.000-07:00

my art teacher keeps telling me that i need to develop a body of work, something distintive that says it's my art. yes, a series.. it sounds so difficult to me, even though technically that just means 2 or more. i have been thinking long and hard, tried different mediums, lost direction sometimes, did a hiatus to no-man's land, you get the picture. i am so greedy that i cannot commit to 1 subject, even though that seems to be the tried and tested route to being a successful painter. sigh, how to specialise and work hard to be really good at 1 thing when i am a natural jack of all trades.. maybe that is the problem.

anyway, i decided to stop thinking and have a truce of sorts with myself. instead of stressing myself out and feeling perpetually out of time since i only paint once a week, i shall let it be and just enjoy myself with whatever time i've got.

strangely enough, i think the series idea came to me by itself.

i started out on a small piece on the canadian rockies as a filler between paintings that i think to do. i didn't take much care and initially thought it was going to be another one of those pieces that will go straight into storage under my bed. then things got better and hey, i think the atmosphere's not bad. especially the clouds. so maybe that's what i should do, or something built around the theme.

i've always had a tendency to under-expose my shots in order to catch the sky details. the billowy blobs, the blissful streaks, the gravity-defying shapes ambling across the serene skies; clouds have always fascinated me because there is a surreal, romantic, and almost whimsical, quality about this most accessible part of nature. certainly there is plenty of material. if not, i can just look out the window ;p

so dare i say that this will be my 1st series? watch this blog..

why i paint

2009-03-15T00:18:00.000-07:00

painting is to me an outlet
for sharing one's expression
of the beauty of the world;
i aim to create things that are satisfying to me and inspiring to others...

art is a natural extension to my love for travels. as with photography that helps me to remember and put in permanence my personal interpretation of a scene, painting is to me an even
more individualistic experience of expressing my feelings for the beauty, and even ugliness, that is our world.

i revel in using colours even as i learn that it is not the most important thing in developing a painting. i love the the freedom of creating a scene, a mood, a feeling, moving things as i wish, experimenting with the elements, toying with the paint and seeing how it all turns out. such is the joy of painting! or the not-so-joyful times when oops.. things don't quite work ;p

most important of all, i have discovered that painting allows me to marvel at the world through the eyes of a child again – that the skies need not be blue, clouds are definitely not white, trees can be purple if i wish, the sun need not be orange, or round for that matter... these are after all only the local colour and shapes of objects that we are taught and ingrained to believe when we grow up until we gradually forget how to see and how to let our imagination run loose. it's ironic isn't it? i am unlearning in order to learn to truly see and feel again. but oh, this is so much fun...

so it is hoped that my works, however amateur they may be, will evoke feelings in the viewer, whether positive or not. it is my grand wish that my home country singapore will develop a genuine culture for appreciating the arts. and that more people here will discover the joys of drawing and creating. and lastly, may i not die a poor artist, amen.