The week of 23-29 March 2015 has been an emotional one for my fellow countrymen, mourning the departure of a great one whom we owe an indelible debt whatever may be said about the man. The saying that his monument is everywhere is probably something that fully hit the national conscience of many of us only now upon his passing.
Ironically, I rarely paint Singapore, because it is simply too close to heart. And I always used to think, why is there a need to capture in images, what I already know so well and feel so strongly about, albeit mixed feelings? So my focus has always been on my wanderings, where I am but a transient passer-by to foreign lands, and will need the images to remember my feelings by when I grow old one day, sitting on that rocking chair reminiscing on my life's journey in this world ;p But I am digressing.
I have to admit I started painting Singapore again recently only because SG50 is the 'latest fashion', so to speak, for artistic outlet. But I am glad I did. I still stuck to material that strike an emotional chord with me, even if I have to go out and find it in our hot sweltering weather. And I do not really care if people recognise the place or not, as I was never a realist painter in the first place. There are plenty of good artists out there who can record landscape details for posterity. For me, art is and has always been about a personal emotional expression.
Title: Birds flew over the Pagoda St nest (O120)
Description: Whimsical painting of birds on a lamppost with festive red Chinese lanterns, over a plethora of colourful stalls tentage in Pagoda Street, a charming, touristy street market in Singapore Chinatown. SG50 Series.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Title: Secret Garden (O124)
Description: Blue Victorian whimsical painting inspired by a beautiful pavilion by Swan Lake at the Singapore Botanical Gardens when birds came a-chirping before the dreamy backdrop of a sculpture of swans in flight. SG50 Series.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 46cm.
Title: A House at Katong (O123)
Description: Expressionist painting rendering of an old house compound in Katong, a charming residential district in east Singapore with Peranakan (people of mixed Chinese and Malay heritage) origins. SG50 Series.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Title: Tree Tapestry (O125)
Description: Bright orange red abstract painting of a blue tree, in a myriad swirl of tapestry like floral emblems, inspired by lyrical tree branches and leaves by a pond at the Singapore Botanical Gardens. SG50 Series.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 46cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
* Birds flew over the Pagoda St nest & Secret Garden are currently on exhibition ~ Mosaic, an art show @ Volvo Art Loft, 2-28 April.
Been a while since I painted my homeland. This orange monochrome piece is inspired by an abstract picture of light and smoke I had created from a chance photograph I took from a bus window while it briefly stopped outside the Singapore Lasalle College of the Arts. The morning sunlight reflecting brightly on the roof caught my eye, as well as the atmospheric effect of fumes being sprayed at the time creating a Chinese landscape atmosphere out of the overhanging trees, and that was how I developed the image.
The composition of triangular and other shapes was perfect in the original picture and the only difference I made was the figure of the old man which became a Chinese long haired woman in my painting. Not sure why but I painted most of this work outdoors at a myartspace market event on Dhoby Ghaut Green and somehow amidst all the murmurings of the bystander public in the background, the figure change became just right for this poignant piece ;p
Title: Rooftop (O116)
Description: Orange monochrome impressionist painting inspired by morning sunlight reflecting off the rood top of a building at Singapore Lasalle College of the Arts grounds.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
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
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.
Before visiting Jeju, I knew Korea is a colourful nation, "well-educated" was I from all the K-drama ;p Especially the period ones. I have always admired the creative use of bright blues, reds, greens, purples, in the lush costumes, contrasting, striking yet not clashing.
So it was when I arrived in Seogwipo, the southern port city of Jeju, one of the things that delighted me most - apart from discovering the Jeju Olle Trails which gave me plenty of hiking opportunities in my 10-day stay - are the colourful boats at the port. They are straight from the K-dramas, hues-wise, especially the bright blues. And there is a quaint whimsical charm in the chaotic clutter of little windows, chimneys, endless lines, rows and rows of light bulbs.. somehow reminding me of a Jap cartoon. I simply adore them!
And of all my amblings around the island, I love the fishing boats on the southern coast most, especially these striking blue ones at the little port of one Beophwan Village, which I stumbled upon while trekking the Jeju Olle Trail No. 7. I was so engrossed taking photos of these boats that I did not notice that people are bathing at a nearby spot.. Oops.. but that is another bloopers story ;p Anyway, more than any image in Jeju, I knew I would paint this scene.
So that is the story behind this boats painting. And the start of hopefully, a series to commemorate my much treasured memories of this unforgettable island.
Title: Jeju Boats 济州船 (O91)
Description: A colourful impressionist painting of delightful cluttering fishing boats at Beophwan Village, the southernmost coastal village in Korea on the Jeju Olle Trail No. 7. Jeju Notes 2013.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
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.
It was our first long day hike in the mountains of Bierzo on the pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James), walking 19 kilometres from the abandoned village of Foncebadon to the pretty village of Molinaseca. There were many historical landmarks, interesting tidbits, and picturesque moments on the way but this little brick house along the path stayed in my memory long beyond..
There was a quaint little sign leading to it but it seems deserted.. or not .. I do not know and did not venture to find out. Content was I to admire it from the distance, with its little bobbing chimney, and golden glow in the sun. I loved the way the whole structure seemed to dance with the whimsical clouds on the prairie and this is what I seek to capture - the carefree spirit of the moment on this memorable trek.
Title: Little House On The Prairie (O52)
Description: A delightful little house in the Bierzo Mountains captivated me as I was trekking on the pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James). It seems deserted.. or not.. I do not know. But I loved the way it seems to dance with the whimsical clouds on the prairie and the carefree spirit of the moment is epitomized in this work. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 70 x 50cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
My pilgrim's journey on the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage (aka the Way of St James) began at the Spanish Meseta (plateau), starting the hike from a small village called Hornillos. It was a beautiful walk, lined with many pretty wild flowers amidst a backdrop of rolling green hills and valleys. "Buen Camino" (good way) was the greeting we call out to fellow pilgrims on this lovely hike as we journeyed on, listening to many a wonderful tale about the area, from the history of the boulders remnants along the path, to even conservation help for the path from quarters as far away as, amazingly, south africa.
But nothing beats the joy in our hearts as we approached the picturesque village of Hontanas, nestling comfortably in a beautiful valley and with the pilgrim's path going beyond up a hill yonder. The village dome building in particular seems to leap and speak to me, as with the trees on the distant hill. I knew I had to paint this scene, this feeling of jubilance. So I got my trusty camera out and took many pictures as we walked the pretty path into Hontanas, a wonderful stop for pilgrims to rest and unwind, and not forgeting to collect a stamp or two from the local tavern, before continuing on with the pilgrim's journey. Much like the journey in life, we encounter beautiful surprise highlights along the camino way, and this was a memorable one.
Title: Picturesque Arrival (O50)
Description: An exuberant piece featuring the Meseta (high plains) section of the pilgrim route of Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the Way of St James), which passes through many a picturesque local village like this one called Hontanas. Spain Camino 2010.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 60cm.
SOLD.
2 comments:
alice said...
Lovely!
demeter gui said...
Wonderful landscape, excellent painting!
