I wasn't quite sure what style this painting will take when I started, as I was only intent on superimposing two images - one of a distant port city, with streaking light reflections and a twilight sun - the other, a ship inspired by a picture taken in Jeju.
In the end, when I fused the two, it became a surreal abstract piece and the vessel evolved into a skeletal outline of imagination, nothing like the original. An artist commented that the piece is very Chagall. Interpret it how you will. I have decided I like it the way it is and am leaving it at that.
Title: The Ship 船 (O101)
Description: Surreal abstract painting of a ship at sea, departing from a port city in the night, with a red twilight sun, dramatic vibrant tones and hues, and a dreams style reminiscent of Chagall. Jeju Notes 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 76cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
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
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.
After a hiatus, I am finally back to painting with a change of scenery, literally :) And lotsa inspiration from the surreal place called Iceland from my latest travels..
Where the elements strike stunningly close, where mother nature is omnipresent in its immense powers, and most of all, the fascinating Icelandic sun.. ever so close to earth, ever so bright, as if tempting one to touch its unseeable whiteness in the cold wintry air.
So it is that I started with painting the unforgettable Iceland sun. Which is strange as I rarely paint sunsets, a rather cliche subject to me. But the Land of Fire and Ice changed my mind. And this may be the start of many more, in hopefully the start of a series that explores the feelings that this indelible abstract harsh lands in the cold volcanic north stirred in the artist in me..
Title: Solace (A39)
Description: A soulful piece depicting the unforgettable Icelandic sunset at the surreal wetlands of the Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters in Mývatn, North Iceland. Icelandic Series 2013.
Medium: Acrylic on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 30 x 30cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
3 comments:
sag said... Wonderful....
jeffrey said... This is really nice! Makes one feel optimistic just looking at it
lu ky said... great! I like it! No wonder your talent here!
