Art by Yen

Ta-da!  Introducing my new revamped website: www.artbyyen.com 

Been tardy about blogging since I discover the insta-joy of instagram, and yes, been too busy painting my heart out, no kidding ;p

Okay no more excuses, I am back after six months, oops..  and wonder where I should begin.  My art journey in the past half year has been one of experimentation, not of the wild abandon variety, but trying out new things that I have not had the time to do before, and painting things (even cliche ones!) I have wanted to do at some time but never found the time.  In other words, I was having way too much fun ;p

Revamping my website has given me the chance to contemplate and to draw a thread to it all.. namely, abstraction and more precisely, its no-boundaries anything-goes methods which help me to hone my original style.  I have learnt that the brush and knife are not the only ways to paint, in fact, it is the tool I used least in my recent work. So I veered from abstraction methods of thick layering, sponging, collage, using objects, fingers, you name it, from impressionism to abstraction and back. Including some artwork here that I personally like, whether they came about accidentally or not ;p  After all, abstraction is not knowing where I'd land which is what makes the process so exciting :) My art journey is getting more fun by the day..

Icelandic Houses I, 10"x12"

Starry, 12"x12"

From Prague with Love, 18"x18"

Brilliance, 12"x12"

Cape of Hope, 20"x24"

Sail to the Moon, 18"x18"

Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

Icelandic Series

*Click here if unable to see video*

After a hiatus from travel oil art, I came back to one of my favourite nature subject, Iceland.

I wanted to paint clouds and the fascinating ever-changing skies from my 2012 trip immediately came to mind. There was material a-plenty from my memories and photographs of the land of fire and ice, which is an abstract art unto itself.. 

So this little paintings series was born, painted impasto as I got re-acquainted with my favourite oil medium, happy and relaxed as can be :)

Finally when I've done enough pieces that I am satisfied with, it dawned that put together, they form an inspirational whole that brightens up my room. And day :) With this, the name of each piece was born. May the paintings bring peace and good tidings to all beholders of this tribute to Icelandic nature.

Titles:  Icelandic 1 to 9 ~ Infinite, Hope, Awe, Unbending, Flow, Haven, Oneness, Awakening, Serene (O132-O140) 
Description: Icelandic series depicting the beautiful elements of nature, clouds, mountains, waterfalls, surreal earth, and homes, in harmonious blend in the land of fire and ice. 2016. 
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions:  14" x 10" each.

Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

"Icelandic 7 ~ Oneness", "Icelandic 9 ~ Serene" are Sold.

Winter Blooms & Wave

These 2 blue paintings came about after I realized I had one too many red art hanging in my room recently and needed to cool the balance ;p Unromantic initiative yet with surprising results as I never knew abstract art could be so exhilarating to do.  Especially the smaller Winter Blooms where everything clicked in one relaxing session.  It was also a return to my swishing brush strokes and organic movement, which others have remarked to me that this is my signature and they would love to see it again.

The art journey is an exploring one, never static at one particular style. And that is what makes it so interesting and keeps me going. I veer and experiment, if it works good, if it doesn't it's something learned.  I do not regret the journey, in fact I relish the ups and downs.  My Spanish journey for 2 years was about composition (most people thought it was architecture ;p), my Asian phase was about connection to my roots, and this Icelandic excursion was about paint, in abstract shapes and thick bright colors.

I may be ready to move on, to what I have no idea. But not knowing is what makes the painting journey so fun.  I used to backpack around the world for the thrill of unexpectedness.  Now my wanderlust is in art.

Title:  Winter Blooms (O114) 
Description: Beautiful blue floral abstract Iceland oil painting of flower blooms of nature on snow in the purple winter light, with swirling impressionistic strokes. Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 30 x 30cm.

Title: Wave (O115) 
Description: Icelandic-inspired dramatic abstract expressionist oil painting of blue purple wave with bold energetic swirling movement of the sea waters in Japanese zen art style. Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm. 

Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

Akureyri & Abstract Iceland

A trilogy of 3 paintings inspired by Iceland, aptly named the Land of Fire and Ice, as it evokes many a strong emotive feeling with its haunting landscapes, ever-changing expansive skies and clouds drama, wintry ice sculptured vistas, all in dramatic surrealistic otherworldly hues that one can only imagine exist in the real world. 

The land was chilling, the weather harsh, full of contradictions and extremes that only Mother Nature can render in all its glory without inhibition. And it was a blessing to witness, to experience, and at long last, to paint, the indelible images that stuck with the emotions infusing in the strokes of these 3 pieces, epitomising serenity, exuberance and unbridled imagination.

Title: Akureyri (O113) 
Description: Haunting landscape painting of northern Iceland with colourful twilight purple pink sunset skies, icy snow mountains and surreal ice lake reflections, in impasto impressionistic strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh. Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.

Title: Abstract Field (O112) 
Description: Abstract landscape painting of yellow orange fiery Icelandic wheat field in vibrant colours and rhythmic strokes, much like a child's pictorial. Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm. 

Title: Pink Thoughts (O111) 
Description: Surreal whimsical Iceland city lake painting with pink twilight clouds, abstract blue white water reflections and brown orange autumn leaves. Reykjavik, Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm. 

Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

Weeping Field

Possibly my most van gogh painting todate, if not least because of the thick impasto paint style, as well as the golden blue colour scheme. 

The painting is inspired by surreal scenery in the desolate pseudocraters fields of north Iceland where the Icelandic sun gave a poetic feel to beautiful wheat like plants glistening in the cool winter light and whispering mysterious murmurs to the winds. 

And that was the feel that I seek to convey in the abstract shapes. Whimsical yet sad.   

Title: Weeping Field (O110)
Description: Abstract landscape oil painting of sunny wheat field in bright vibrant orange yellow thick color strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh, inspired by surreal Iceland scenery. Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 30 x 30cm. 
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com 

Icelandic Church

After a hiatus of one year when I only painted three works on Iceland, I finally find the impetus to continue. It was a case of too much inspiration but unsure if I can execute that led to the block.. but I always I knew I would return.  

So it is, with the thick paint style reminiscent of Van Gogh that I long abandoned (or unconsciously avoided) that I did this surreal little piece of a tiny church in the small remote town of Reykholt.  Well, actually every place in Iceland is remote ;p  But this image taken during twilight, particularly brings out the lonesome building on the horizon feel.  And I do so love the Icelandic churches, with its unique architecture of clean lines and wooden structures.

In the end, whatever style, it is the surreal emotions that got translated onto canvas, which is the expressionist in me :)

Title: Icelandic Church (O109)
Description: Surreal Icelandic painting of little whimsical church on the horizon with evocative cloudscape of twilight sunset in dramatic pink purple orange hues, reminiscent of Van Gogh style. Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 30 x 30cm. 
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com 

Pink City

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

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

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

1 comment:
timi said... it's beautiful really really lovely. 

Reykjavik

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

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

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

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

Solace

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

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

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

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

3 comments:
sag said... Wonderful.... 
jeffrey said... This is really nice! Makes one feel optimistic just looking at it  
lu ky said... great! I like it! No wonder your talent here!