Japan Nakasendo Way

Yes! Beginning a new series.. a new country, a new journey, a new revelation.. a place where the culture and colours are the diametric opposite of vibrant Korea that I last painted.. a place that is uniquely. and sedately. zen.  

This, my second visit to Japan after more than a decade, is when I came to understand and appreciate what I did not so many years ago, when I had been literally lost in the translation whilst backpacking in Hokkaido ;p 

Hiking the Nakasendo Way (中山道) this time round, a 17th c highway from Kyoto to Edo (ancient Tokyo), I had a beautiful sojourn meandering the land encountering ancient post-towns, inns, teahouses, distance markers in li (里), shinto shrines, deities for protection of travellers, and many a poignant tale of the 劳师动众 (labourious) Princess entourage that travelled to marry the Shogun. Having come full circle on this land, I finally came to love it at last.  Of course, having an English-speaking Japanese guide helps immensely :)  Thanks! Mario Anton of WalkJapan.

So I came home armed with a thousand photos, and even more wonderful memories, and started to paint. I wasn't quite sure if I can do sedate, but zen, maybe. These 3 paintings are a start. Make what you will of them. They are nuggets, stories  from the Nakasendo. And really, we did meet a lovely wedding couple. I knew then that I would paint the bride's stunning kimono gown :) Enjoy the pieces! 

Title: Kyoto Dream 京都梦 (O105) 
Description: Poignant impressionistic painting of a Japanese lady in pink kimono at the Kyoto Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺), in dramatic yellow red surreal hues. Nakasendo Way 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. 
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.

Title: The Path 悟之路 (O106) 
Description: Whimsical surreal painting in grey monastic tones, inspired by the red lamppost lit stone path, up to the Kumanokōtai Shr ine (熊野皇大神社) in Japan's Nagano Prefecture (长野县). Nakasendo Way 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. Dimensions: 61 x 61cm. 

Title: Japanese Wedding Couple 日本婚礼 (O104) 
Description: Portrait painting of a young Japanese couple in traditional wedding wafuku (和服), with the bride in a resplendent red phoenix kimono, accompanied by a whimsical backdrop of purple umbrellas and Japanese lanterns. Nakasendo Way 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas. Dimensions: 76 x 76cm. 

Purchase at: www.saatchiart.com/yen

Tian Zi Fang

Using an old canvas from a piece that didn't work out but which gives a green-tinged colorful underlayer perfect for my red theme, I created this piece in one sitting as everything just seemed to come together perfectly. 

Tian Zi Fang is an arts and crafts enclave in the French Concession area of Shanghai, China.  It is also my favourite place there, with a burgeoning arts and crafts enclave developed from a renovated residential area of traditional Shanghainese Shikumen (石库门) style buildings that is still teeming with everyday neighbourhood life, along with many small crafts shops, fancy eateries, trendy art studios, wires, pipes, lanterns sticking everywhere, but still amazingly coming together to give a unique eclectic buzz to the place. I love it !  As I painted away,  combining quirky elements here and there from the bits and pieces of snapshots that I had taken including the black cat, it was like a re-living of my exploration of the narrow alleyways and quaint corners of Tian Zi Fang all over again.  

The composition is not of an actual street but is a jigsaw puzzle of sorts, of my fond memories of the whimsical atmosphere of Tian Zi Fang.  If you do visit as I did, you may spot an item or two of my painting there. Have fun exploring as I did :)

Title: Tian Zi Fang 田子坊 (O89)
Description: A colourful whimsical painting inspired by the lively streets of Tian Zi Fang, an arts and craft enclave developed from a residential area in the French Concession area of Shanghai. China 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas with sides painted magenta.
Dimensions: 76 x 76 x 4cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

West Lake

I first visited China as a kid and loved Hangzhou then. Pleasant place, an amazing acrobatic performance, and a beautiful lake. 

So it was that on this trip to Shanghai, I had to go Hangzhou again, even for a few hours. Gilded childhood memories aside, must say I was taken aback by the mad circus at the train station, the crazy cab ride to the nearest part of the lake in order to maximise my visit, and oh lord, I think the whole of China is here!!

Thankfully, the lake is incredibly big, more than I ever remember. Incredibly, there is space for everyone.  And incredibly lucky was I to find a quiet garden section which was so beautiful I was reminded of Giverny.  And oh the time flew by as I explored the little  surprises at every nook and corner.  Rarely has the harmony of man and nature been more intricate than in this heavenly place, which is the very essence of zen. And thus the tribute of this painting.
    

Title: West Lake 西湖 (O87)
Description: A quiet corner at the beautiful West Lake captures my heart, as Hangzhou once did many years ago. China 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
SOLD.

2 comments:
doreen said...Your painting exudes the energy that is not found in the photo. Well done! Love your painting!
timi said... This painting is beautiful and unique in its execution. I LOVE It. 

Suzhou Houses

There is nothing more lyrical than the Suzhou houses, period. They blend poetically with the landscape like a Chinese painting, whether by the river ways and intertwining bridges, or along the ancient streets, sometimes whitewash, sometimes dated yet emanating an understated beauty beyond the crumbly walls. 

This was especially so along Pingjiang Street, running parallel along the river of the same namesake.  There are new shops and teahouses a-plenty with an endless bustle of yuppies, locals young and old, tourists of course, but somehow the charm of ancient Suzhou is retained with architectural delights surprising at every turn.  A little boat rows by on the canal, an old boatman with silver hair singing a familiar Chinese tune, yet so fitting to the atmosphere together with the photography shoots of young beautiful models in traditional costumes every 50 feet it seems. A happening place this is, as it must have been all those years ago in ancient Song Dynasty.  But the houses attract me the most, with many varied exquisite designs laid out in a haphazard yet harmonious manner along the narrow stone pathway, especially the silent ones on the opposite river bank with the quintessential black triangular roof lines elegantly sketching the skyline.  And that is what struck a chord in me most that resulted in this painting..
    

Title: Suzhou Houses 苏州屋 (O86)
Description: Houses by the Pingjiang River in Suzhou struck an emotional chord with the artist. China 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

The Way Home

A lyrical place makes an inspiring one. Simply love the old streets in Suzhou, with beautiful whitewash houses in the ancient style and the interweaving poetic arching roofs, all coming together like a Chinese painting scene, much like ancient China coming alive before one's very eyes. 

What mysterious abodes lie behind those carved doors? What stories go on behind those pretty windows?  What inspired those stunningly beautiful classical gardens that Suzhou is famous for?  What about the beautiful women that Suzhou is known for?  What  about the aspirations of modern day China? The tug between the historical and the new must have created much upheavals in the lives of the Suzhou people, even as these ancient buildings quietly watch by.. 

With these thoughts swirling, the painting was created. A tad muted in colour compared to my previous works, but that was the feeling that these streets gave to me.


Title: The Way Home 回 (O85)
Description: A poignant piece inspired by the poetic streets of Suzhou. China 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
SOLD.

Cang Lang Ting

I hadn't expected to be so "you gan jue" (i.e. moved) this trip to Shanghai to visit a friend. Especially as I do not recall being terribly impressed by Suzhou when I went as a kid on a family trip it seems a lifetime ago. 

But touched me this place did. I am so glad my friend decided to bring me to Suzhou over the weekend and we happened to stay near this particular Suzhou classical garden. It was one of the famous UNESCO gardens albeit a quiet one located at a little river canal behind a serene hospital ground. Best of all untouched by the mad chaos of tourists who throng the larger gardens.

I was attracted by the beautiful name, Cang Lang Ting or Surging Waves Pavilion (沧浪亭). The garden was the epitome of zen, period. And creativity. With everything looking like they were haphazardly arranged yet strangely blending poetically, I was literally hypnotised as we explored the rooms, the mysterious nooks and corners, the way the buildings, structures, pathways, rocks, trees, plants, pond, and even a cave, interacted windingly in perfect harmony. Every window was different and led to yet another beautiful corner.  My impression of classical systematical chinese design was completely turned on its head.  I was reminded of the endless joy of exploring Gaudi's architecture once again.  Yes, this is a gem of a place, which made my trip to Suzhou, and Shanghai, totally worth.  Hence the tribute of this painting :)

Title: Cang Lang Ting 沧浪亭 (O83)
Description: A painting to record the artist's joy of visiting, and feelings for, Cang Lang Ting (Surging Waves Pavilion), one of China Suzhou's famous UNESCO classical gardens. China 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
SOLD.

Spanish Vignettes

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

Pink City

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

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

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

Bell City & Uneven

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

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

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

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

Corner Building

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

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

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

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

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

The Spanish Courtyard

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

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

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

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

Juxtaposition

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

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

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

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

Singapore Icons

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

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

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

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

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

On A Latte Afternoon

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

So that was how I painted Girona..

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

B is for Barbastro

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

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

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

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.  

Timeless.. like a pink elephant!

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

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

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

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

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!