The last 2 pieces in my Untitled Series, completed after over a year's journey of 12 whimsical episodes with the central theme of looking at the world through the eyes of a child.
I started painting the series when I became godma to my baby niece, taking a suggestion from a friend that I should paint from the heart. So it is only apt that my footnote piece is of the protagonist herself, and inspired by a recent real life episode of the little girl who is now 1 year old and, ahem, likes to do her own shopping ;p To a child, a mall must seem like wonderland so it is that I made sure she gets plentiful colourful company, including a beloved care bear.
Untitled 11 is a nostalgic ocean piece that got sold almost as soon as I posted it on facebook ;p I had meant to do this one for some time, having taken a break from the series to paint for another themed exhibition. It was inspired by a story my dad likes to tell, of how he first saw my mum, a little girl with 2 plaits playing balloon (pronounced "bear-loon" for hopscotch) at the beach. This must have been the beach at my grandma's place in Johore where they were both born. So the innocence, romance and idyllic freedom of a little girl skipping at sea theme was born.
Title: Untitled 12 (A63)
Description: Cute little girl whimsical impressionist painting, shopping in pink pastel colorful fantasy mall with pokemons, care bear, elephant and giraffe toys. True life portrayal of my 1 year old niece and god-daughter whose birth first moved me into starting this Untitled Series, so it was only apt that my penultimate work in the Series is of the protagonist who inspired them all :) 2016.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Sold.
Title: Untitled 11 (A62)
Description: Sweet little girl at beach landscape painting, skipping hopscotch with whimsical nostalgic feel, peaceful waves, turquoise ocean, blue skies and sea shells. A step into the past inspired by how my dad likes to recount when he first saw my mum, a little girl with 2 plaits and playing balloon on the beach. 2016.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
SOLD.
I had painted this last month without knowing that the beloved city that means so many things to so many people, were to meet with attacks (for want of a better word, as I refuse to sensationalise as the perpetuators wish) this tragic Friday 13 Nov 2015.
The piece is a tribute to travels and Paris, inspired by a little yellow boat called "Paris" that I have come to watch out for every morning, at the PSA (Port of Singapore Authority) terminal when my bus to work emerges from a long dark tunnel every morning.
I have been to Paris twice, once on a europe students tour which whipped in the highlights - Eiffel, Notre Dame, Louvre - in a whirlwind, where I just remembered that I must come back to Monmarte again with the romance and idealism that it holds for struggling artists. The second was a much longer backpacking trip traversing all over France, which was one hack of a colourful trip with many funny episodes, good and bad, but definitely memorable. I may have encountered a few prickly French as I don't spout any and had a communication issue, but it is hard not to love the country for its beautiful cities, quaint towns, scenic landscapes that look like they come out of an art book, its absolutely rich and fascinating cultural and freedom of artistic expressions that produces so many great artists, and the sheer encouragement of it that is in the psyche of the French which is to be admired and emulated. And Paris with its Eiffel symbol, is an epitome of freedom, and an artist's dream. The current episode will not dent this spirit that has stood the test of time. May the Parisians move on with strength and resilience and continue with their celebrated way of life that should be the way it is, with the ideals to inspire the rest of the world.
Title: Untitled 6 (A47)
Description: Red pink whimsical vintage Paris painting of little child in colorful surreal swirl of Eiffel Tower, carousel, yellow boat and green toy bike. 2015.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
Going back to Japan theme, these 2 paintings are inspired by lovely hikes on the Nakasendo Way, one on a path literally blooming, and puffing, with pink cherry blossoms, the other a serene walk through a beautiful green forest.
While the places are real, and I can still remember the smell of the crisp spring air and the soft sun rays filtering through the trees, my rendition is more emotion, at once pleasurable yet also full of anticipation of what lay beyond, memories from a year ago intertwining with surreal dreams of a fond place from a year ago.
Title: Blossoms Way 樱花道 (O130)
Description: Dreamy expressionist painting of pink cherry blossoms flower trees inspired by a spring village hike on Japan's Nakasendo Way from Kyoto to Tokyo. 2015.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Title: Forest Path 林子里 (O127)
Description: Serene green forest path painting of a beautiful nature hike through the mountains on Japan's Nakasendo Way from Kyoto to Tokyo. 2015.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 46cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
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
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
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
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.
Buildings have souls, or so I believe. How can they not when they are created by the imagination of humans who surely would have infused their emotions into their handiwork? How can they not when they blend into the earth and root their existence with nature for time immemorial, oft longer than its creators? How can they not when real living families dwell within their healing shelters and whisper untold secrets into the walls?
And so it was that these beautiful dwellings spoke to me when I chanced upon them by the river in the lil' town of Samos, famed for its monastery on the Camino route. And I had to render it thus.
Title: Soulful (O60)
Description: An emotive expressionist work inspired by riverside houses sitting prettily in the lil' town of Samos on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St James) pilgrim route. Spain Camino 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 80 x 60cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
