Wanderer's Paradise

Madness yet a genius. This was what crossed my mind when I came across this unusual shack on a cliff edge, literally, while hiking the Jeju Olle Trail No. 7.  Mind you, it was quite a drop down that precarious ledge into treacherous terrain, wee..  
Yet I was at once wildly amused by the madness of the author, and terribly intrigued by the brilliance of it all, the more I studied it.  

Wooden planks to layout the spot, check.  Weather extremely hot, not much shade on this stretch of trail, tie shelter to tree branches, check.  Blow-away super strong winds characteristic of Jeju, use lots of strong ropes tied like a maze to secure the all-important showcase chair.. not to mention the almighty drop to heaven if it weren't, check.  And lastly a fantastic view point of the ocean, the rugged rocky coast, the distant islets, check. Now all there's left was to sit..  

Except I didn't quite have the courage of the mad one. The chair seemed sturdy enough when I sat my backpack on it. Stood behind was all I dared endeavour then in the bellowing winds. But the longing and regret endured way after. So being an artist which is a good skill to have when you can't live something, I painted the scene instead ;p Yes, the surreal dream of what it would be like to sit on that ledge - to rest, contemplate and admire with trepidation perhaps - the mad one's gateway to heaven, literally and metaphorically.

Title: Wanderer's Paradise 游子的天堂 (O98)
Description: Colourful surreal landscape painting inspired by a shack on a cliff edge the artist encountered while hiking the coast of Jeju Olle Trail No. 7. The scene depicts her dream sitting beholding the ocean, on a chair tied by a litany of ropes, the concoction of a mad genius perhaps, and a gateway to heaven, literally and metaphorically. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

Seongsan

One major highlight of Jeju that see hordes of tourists milling the UNESCO World Heritage site everyday, is the 182-metre high Seongsan Ilchulbong, popularly known as ‘Sunrise Peak’.  For me, however, the eastern part of Jeju is much more than that.

It took me more than an hour on a local bus that spouts many many little bus-stops in Korean, English, sometimes Chinese, before I arrived at Seongsan, or rather an obscure stop on a lonesome highway that I almost missed and then luckily got 'rescued' by the hotel owner who came to pick me up.

That was the start of my falling in love with this hospitable part of Jeju, which also marks the Jeju Olle Trail No. 1, the first of some 21 hiking routes encircling the island.  And the most classic one.  Unlike the other Olle Trails which feature the fantastical coastline of Jeju with almighty waves a-pounding, this route starts serenely inland with a little oreum (mountain in Jeju dialect) climb to a breathtaking view of the mountains, large fields and ocean.  I love the walk through the forest, the beautiful trees and flora, even a bright green little snake that slithered across my path at one point.  And the comradeship with fellow hikers at a delightful, and delicious, noodle shop just when I emerged from the hills, before going past bountiful farms with all kinds of vegetables and delectable produce, and arriving at the familiar coast once more.  This trail had it all.  Never mind the dramatic finish at Sunrise Peak.  I just enjoyed the quiet, the peace, the simplicity, the smells, the sounds, and the innate beauty of the countryside.  And that is what this simple painting is about. 

Title: Seongsan 城山 (O96)
Description: Tree overlooking Seongsan's farmland with Sunrise Peak in the distance, a simple painting epitomising the simple joys of hill walking and enjoyment of countryside landscape, inspired by a hike on the Jeju Olle Trail No. 1. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com

Wave Watch

One cannot miss the sound of waves in Jeju, ever constant, as you wander around the island.. Ever rhythmic, ever present, ever relentless, strong with the whistling winds.. sometimes pounding in all its fiercest majestic glory, evoking exhilaration and even fear at nature's power.. at other times quiet and contemplative.. yet still always unyielding and meditative.   

At the end of my stay in Jeju, I went to Udo Island and there, on Seobinbaeksa Beach with its white sands and turquoise waters and dramatic volcanic backdrop from the mainland,  the surreality reaches an unusually calm beauty, eliciting much joy and happiness to the bystanders.  

And which inspired this nostalgic piece, of the simple joys of marvelling at the beauty of nature, of the whimsical fun of waves, of the child in us who was once able to appreciate things instinctively. 

Title: Wave Watch 看浪 (O93)
Description: A whimsical little painting of a couple on a beach before larger-than-life waves and an imposing conical mountain yonder, inspired by the whimsical nostalgic joy of wave watching at Udo Island. Jeju Notes 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
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. 

Contentment ( 简单的快乐 )

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

Kaleidoscope

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 n Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 60cm.

Zing

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. Scotland 2009.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 60 x 50cm.
SOLD.

Approaching Storm II

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

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.


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

Cloud Series ~ The Dome

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.



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

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.
SOLD.

1 comment:

anna jasmin said...

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

Cloud Series ~ The Log

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.

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

Mornington Peninsula Art Trip ~ Cape Schanck

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.
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

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.
SOLD.

Prints available for purchase at my artfire shop.


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

Glacier Valley At Franz Josef

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.