Spanish Vignettes

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

Spain Camino Series@Bilbao Restaurant

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

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

Jello & Yolk

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

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

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

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

A is for Ainsa

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

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

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

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

A Tale of Two Publications..

They say good things come in 2s..

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

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

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

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

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

The Chef

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

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

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

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

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

Camino Art Journey

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

Destined

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

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


Title: Destined (O66)
Description: 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. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 91 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com 

Comments: 
james scrivano said...
Beautiful.
steve thorpe said...
Lovely work!
rob delves said...
nice expressive work Yen!
xueling zou said...
Wonderful painting, so well done!
jeffrey said...
This is lovely!

The Bull, The Landmark & The Cowherd

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

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

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


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

Soulful

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

Title: Soulful (O60)
Description: 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. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 80 x 60cm. 
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

Sanctuary

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

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

Title: Sanctuary (O60)
Description: 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. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 91 x 61cm. 
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com


comment: 
shiri theis said... 
Beautiful colors! You really convey the calmness and serenity of this dreamy sanctuary. V/F

Bluesy

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

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

Title: Bluesy (O55)
Description: 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. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm. 
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com 

Solitaire

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: 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. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 91 x 61cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

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