This little painting was inspired by a nature picture that I took on Japan's Nakasendo Way which has beautiful foliage and cherry blossoms falling like snow. I am told that the Nakasendo is stunning in autumn, and winter, and this is what I imagined it to be.
It's been a while since I last painted autumn and with nary a thought, the strokes flow and it was completed in one session. There are imperfections but the whimsical feel is just right so I decided to stop. Yes, that beautiful feeling of joy at white flakes a-falling is just magical. No overwork needed.
Title: Magic Fall 秋雪 (O107)
Description: Whimsical autumn forest impressionist painting with white bark trees against reds, orange and greens foliage, with falling snow drops inspired by travel scenery on Japan's Nakasendo Way 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
I love these postboxes on the Jeju Olle Trail No. 7 for more reasons than one. In today's world of iphone/ipad and a plethora of gadgets for instant gratification and communication, whoever remembers the joy of waiting, of anticipation, of imagination, of surprise, of receiving a physical postcard in the letterbox, with a stamp implanted from lands faraway and wondering how far this little item has travelled to be delivered.. And with a preciously thought and penned message.
Most of all, I love that it stops time. That it rekindles the romance of travelling, of being away from it all, and just enjoying the little joys of wandering, of discovering, of appreciating, of savouring the moments, of remembering a distant friend, and of being at peace :)
Title: Postcard from Jeju 信的告白 (O100)
Description: Whimsical painting inspired by the joy of discovering a cluster of postboxes on the Jeju Olle Trail No. 7, a reminder of the romance of travelling and of sending a postcard home. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
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
One of the joys of hiking on the Jeju Olle Trails is oft, after long long stretches of ocean sea and waves, even ulu (remote) nothingness, with blistered feet and all from the famed black rocks.. suddenly a quirky little cafe will appear out of the blue... literally. and blow all the fatigue away..
One had a beautiful sculpture garden and played wonderful music until I didn't want to leave. Another served the most yummy ice dessert with so many nutty flavourings that savouring was an adventure in itself.
This painting is inspired by a memorable cafe episode on Udo Island. The weather was gloomy when I arrived at the port. Unlike everybody else who chose to go on the plentiful wheel options, I decided to walk. And I seemed to be the only one. After an hour or so of a particularly lonesome amble through stone walled paths and brown villages, it started to rain with big pelting drops. I had to scramble to put on protective layers before continuing. Barely had I braved the blistering elements for a short distance, lo and behold a pristine white structure that looked like a pirate yacht appeared. It was a godsend little cafe that hailed the start of a petite stretch of stunning white sands and turquoise waters. As if on cue, the storm blew over, the sun came out. And someone parked a cute white scooter right before my window as I dug into my dessert gratefully, and happily.
The work commemorates that afternoon of eventful wanderings. Of what it means to be on the road. What it means to find a restive enclave. Of trials and tribulations, pains and joys, of a silver lining at the end of every storm. And of the gems of discovery on a journey embedded into this whimsical window, crowded with items and collectibles.. nuggets from a memorable travel.
Title: The Scooter 小摩托 (O97)
Description: Whimsical painting of a cafe window onlooking a little scooter parked on a beach, with a lively composition crowded with delightful items and collectibles from the artist's nuggets of memories of the Jeju Olle Trail on Udo Island. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
On a cab ride in Jeju, a friendly uncle driver enthusiastically told me that the island is known for 3 things: rocks, wind.. and after struggling with the korean-to-english translation app on his iphone.. women.
He meant the famous haenyo - sea women divers who fight against the wild waves for a catch. In the old days, many men in Jeju were lost at sea. They also had to pay heavy taxes, so the diving trade eventually passed over to the women who became the main breadwinner. A declining trade today, with tourism contributing to most job opportunities, the haenyo declined in numbers. With an average age of 65, the iconic ladies continued to dive into depths of 20-30 metres with no oxygen tank, whether for a catch, often singing a poignant song. or sadly, to the throes of tourists and flashing cameras fighting to picture the amazing feat and the prize catch of an octopus or squid.
At a particularly touristy spot, I watched but could not bear to join the mob. Amidst the madness, a solemn expression of a haenyo catches, with faraway eyes that tell of a life past that I could not possibly imagine. I knew I would paint her, paint her story, paint the beautiful bright red shoe that she wore into the waters, paint the enigmatic person behind the matriarchal symbol that may one day pass into Jeju's colourful history..
Title: Haenyo 海女 (O95)
Description: A poignant depiction of the colourful Haenyo, sea women divers iconic in Jeju, Korea, who fight the wild waves for a catch in place of the men, who are today declining in numbers and a dying trade. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
Once in a while, my surrealistic tendencies overcome and it is with this experimental piece inspired by an inspiring sunset on Jeju island in Korea.
Realism or even impressionism was the last thing on my mind when I painted the image. Instead I saw shapes and symbols swirling in motion. I thought it wasn't going to work but I added the woman and it seemed to click. So I persevered until the colours gel, brought back from the realm of disunity by the movement.
And then I stopped. My emotional outburst was over. I am not even sure if I like it. It is certainly different from the other korean pieces done so far. But I think I will keep the piece.
Title: Sunset 夕阳 (O94)
Description: Shapes, movement and symbolism embody this bold soulful surrealistic landscape painting inspired by a beach sunset in Jeju, Korea, known for its haenyo sea diver women. Jeju Notes 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
1 comment:
shelley whiting said... I love the wild and expressionistic style. Beautiul and lively work
I seldom paint flowers, not sure why. Maybe because they are ephemeral in nature and I just love to admire them when I see, perhaps capturing in film but not more. I also adore wild flowers much more than the planted ones, because they bloom despite, because they are a privilege to catch, because they seem so free-spirited..
One of the greatest joys trekking the Jeju Olle Trails was chancing upon these wild flowers that dot the varying nature landscape all over the island. They are a constant, like the waves and the black rocks. And they never fail to bring a smile to my face :)
So I am inspired to paint a piece on flowers again, however cliche the material ;p It's just a much treasured image of my memories of Jeju - the carefree feeling of simple joy that it brings me - that I'd like to capture as a momento beyond film.
Title: Wild Flowers 野花 (O92)
Description: A colourful floral painting inspired by the wild flowers in Jeju, which brought many a smile to a hiker's face on the Jeju Olle Trails. Jeju Notes 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
The subversive mood just got a little darker. For reasons unknown, I am attracted to this street in Cordoba, an otherwise boisterous city in southern Spain teeming with tourists at the famous Mezquita area. I love the place, but it gets a little heavy at times, and this quiet lane beckons with the odd fountain of an animal atop, a mythical beast I think.
Again I am painting over a previous canvas that didn't work well. Strangely, I love the green glow it provides which I leave simmering through the whites giving a rich undulating texture to the piece. It's probably an acquired taste to like this one but it's a personal favourite.
Title: A Backstreet in Cordoba (O78)
Description: A moody surrealistic piece inspired by a quiet lane with an odd fountain in Cordoba, an otherwise boisterous city in southern Spain. Spain Vignettes 2012.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.
SOLD.
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.
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!
