The Mantis Visit and the Lady in the Garden

It must have been about a month....

into the Coronavirus pandemic self isolation that a Praying (not Preying as I initially thought) Mantis appeared on my kitchen window. I can't be certain why it randomly appeared there but the night was filled with moths and other insects that it may just be hunting for food. I took a closed up photo of it, which may have annoyed Mantis (yes, that is what I decided to call 'it') because it was moving its right middle leg up and down telling me to bugger off.

2 days later, Mantis appeared again. I used the word 'again' because I was convinced it was the same Praying Mantis as the last time based on its length and shape. My contact deprived mind wondered if it remembered me and where I live. Surely it came over to say hello. And when Mantis appeared in my bedroom a few days later (again purely anecdotal), I thought we may have become chums but I did relocate it to the veranda before sleeping just in case it decided to join me in bed. 

I decided to sketch and paint this phasmid looking insect. Mantises are not to be confused with phasmids (e.g. stick insects). As I painted Mantis, I became in awe of its anatomy and phenotypical characteristics. The different shades of green and yellow and the different grooves and patterns on the inside of its wings. I wondered where it would go after our visit. Would it continue to find other places to feed? Perhaps a report back to its Queen? Maybe Mantis IS the Queen! My mind boggled!

(The Mantis Visit, 26 April 2020, Medium: Acrylic and Watercolours on Canvas)

At the end, I had plenty of greens and whites leftover that I decided to do another Feeler art. From no where, the Lady in the Garden appeared in my quick sketch. I thought she was beautiful and rather seductive. 

(The Lady in the Garden, 26 April 2020, Medium: Acrylic on Cardboard)

New paths

Directions, Paths, Branches....

We are never ready when we feel the unsteadiness of our path. I lead a life not defined by the normative narrative of adulthood; education, finding a partner, settling down, buy a house, have children, structured career paths. Mine is always driven by my quest to explore my mental and physical limits. My explorations are mostly internal but in recent times, they are guided by my need to survive. It sounds particularly dire and dramatic but truthfully, it is not. It is a luxury that some of us have when one feels to survive is to explore uncharted paths of life. It has lead to many heartbreaks and self-reflection and being an artistic feeler, it can be a stifling weight that hinders progress. Nonetheless, these experiences, upon reflection, do add to the already rather colourful tapestry of my life.

"Directions" and "Feels" are my attempts to break through the faux ceiling that I have imposed on myself about 6 years ago when I realised that the business of art is not about pleasing one's aesthetics but to strategically adapt. I started to produce realistic art pieces in the hope that my art is better appreciated and more importantly, purchased.

However, I went against my natural inclination to produce "feeler" art. I don't possess the vernacular of the erudite artistic scholar as my art journey has been mostly self-directed but "feeler" art is what I like of abstract art. No academic breakdowns. Just subjective emotions. There is nothing more freeing than to mentally trudge an emotional path while making Feeler pieces. "Directions" is my juvenile attempt to integrate my realistic and "feeler" identities. It feels unsteady to reestablish this new equilibrium but it does not enervate me. Watch this space.

(Directions 7 March 2020, Medium: Pastel on paper)

(Feels 8 March 2020, Medium: Acrylics on paper)

Many moons later......

Many moons have passed by....

I have not painted for a very long time. Since I left full time art to pursue a PhD project in melanins and eye melanocytes, regular art making was not an option considering my excessive work hours.

I offer my first piece in over 4-5 years. A small oil pastel piece that I have given to my doc friend, Melissa Wegkamp, visiting from the Netherlands. I dearly hope that the painting gods are still supporting me.

Digital art museums?

 Mew at Bronte

(28 April 2014 - Acrylics on canvas)

As I worked through a seemingly complicated application form today, I had an art documentary keeping me company in the background.

It was on the growing trend of building and curating online art museums for mass consumption. As I sporadically tuned in to the conversation, I wondered if this is a good thing. How can it NOT be? It gives anyone, including me, a voice and potentially an audience.

Bronte

(10 May 2014, Acrylics on canvas)

I have been trying to cajole my 'business' side to come out more. He emerges from a self-imposed exile every time I have to play the role of 'business' consultant but he returns to hibernation when he is not needed. He is the more organised and technical of the two. I solely rely on him in activities not tagged as artistic. My inner debates are normally between these two polarised characters. Calling truce is an ongoing battle!

Gajah - front

(16 June 2014, Homemade calico bag with hand drawn elephant motive)

BUT enough of that!

In this post, I offer art pieces and projects that I have completed in conjunction with my growing book writing commitments. I have even entered my sweet giraffe called 'Zirafah' in the 2014 Woolahra Small Sculpture competition. Wish me luck!!

Gajah - back

(16 June 2014, Homemade calico bag with hand drawn elephant derriere motive) 

The lady and the Crocchicdog

 (21 June 2014, Pencil and coloured pen on plywood)

Trennery Park

(20 July 2014, Acrylics on cardboard)

Zirafah

(25 July 2014, Weaved newspaper strips, celophane and polyurethane)

Zirafah

(25 July 2014, Weaved newspaper strips, celophane and polyurethane)

Kid's stories are not kid's play

Apologies for the extended interval since my last update.

In my earnest attempt to generate more readership interest in my art blog, 'Search Engine Optimisation 101' (alas, this is not real) advises me to create content that is interesting and insightful at a more regular and consistent rate. I soon made an earnest promise to myself to update weekly. I kept it up for 3 weeks.

I realised very quickly that I didn't have enough weekly content to provide, at minimum, a funny post. I even started to brainstorm for artistic pursuits that I can pursue to generate plausible content ("Maybe I can find some gallery event and be a reviewer?") but my concurrent projects (and a strict self-imposed no entertainment budget) hindered this well-meant intention. Nevertheless, this is still a poor excuse of an 'excuse'.

Rest assured, it has been a very creative, busy and challenging interval. In this entry, I have decided to reveal more illustrations from the children's books that I have completed. In summary, writing children's books have been an interesting process. Interesting in the sense that it challenged the way I seek approval of my reviewers and peers. It also made me think of my own ego and the way people review creative products.

I shall not provide too much description to the illustrations. Enjoy!

Nature: The Original Artist

(27 March 2014, Wax oil pastel on cardboard)

I recalled the first time I laid eyes on a Mandarin duck.

I was completely besotted and transfixed not so much for the physical shape of the drake but by its perfectly striking and complimentary colours. He was the perfect balance of black, white, red, purple, brown, orange and grey. All too much in the one animal.

I later saw a female duck and she was equally striking with her more subtle combination of grey, pink, blue and brown. Although the drake brutishly grabs my attention, I found the hen's colours more practical and because she holds the sole responsibility for the guidance and safety of her newly hatched ducklings, her brown hued body camouflages with the earthy tones of her surroundings. It is easy to pass her off as boring but when you look at her closely, you will be able to appreciate her in all her coloured glory.

Mother Nature is truly the original master painter and colourist. 

She is my only source of inspiration and knowledge for all shapes, colours and shading. More importantly, she guides me in the mixing and pairing of colours. Look at the ducks; their multicoloured-multihued feathers seem just right. For me, it is curious to wonder why certain parts of the duck is coloured in a certain way but as a whole, each coloured part contributes to a perfect collage.

If one was to trawl through the various sources of art theory and public response to the subject of "Why certain colours go well together?", personal taste appears to be a frequent reply. On a daily basis, consumers are bombarded with suggestions on what coloured items go well together. There are hundreds of fashion blogs and videos hosted by professional and amateur stylists and designers providing advice and ideas on this subject matter, based on colour, structure and textures. Some choose to go with more conservative combinations while others opt for bolder contrasts. However, the common thread to their choices is that they are all based on personal taste. When the suggested tips are consistently liked and followed, they are heralded for their taste. Their views are set as a standard for the masses and this drives consumer preference and ideals.

It is inevitable that our personal taste is influenced by many factors including our cultural background, aspirations and environment. We relate to certain advice because of it resonates with our aesthetic sensibilities. However, we as consumers can choose to ignore the popular advice and find our own individual sense of colour creativity.

Sketch of 'Boh Munyong'

(1 January 2014, ballpoint pen on paper)

To view a completed painting of this water buffalo, please refer to my blog article dated 16 March 2014.

The tale of a Gordon's Bay Spotted Wobbegong Shark and a passing Common Stingray

(24 March 2014, Acrylics-watercolours on paper)

The tale of Spotty Wobby and the nodding Ray Yay 

Camouflaged and hidden from plain sight,
Away from Gordon's Bay bright light,
Spotty Wobby senses with whiskers not slight,
On his own, with dedicated fight.

Not too far from him is incoming Ray Yay,
Creeping towards Wobby, without even a hey,
They don't normally have too much to say,
Not just today, like any other day.

Wobby's mind somehow feels contrite,
Deep in thought, feeding with delight,
Why do our parents spite?
My reasoning feels right, definitely dight.

Grey shadows appear, are they from the bay?
Clumsily moving towards me, surely it is not Ray Yay!
Annoying, prodding, please please go away,
Ray Yay nodded at me and then went away.

(Sitiwin, E., 24 March 2014, Bondi Junction, NSW)

The reason for my much elevated level of excitement......

 at Gordon's Bay yesterday was due to seeing a Spotted Wobbegong shark (Orectolobus maculatus) and at the same time, a passing Common Stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca).

As I have never seen a Spotted Wobbegong shark before, I was initially scared at what I was seeing. At first sight, I thought it was an awfully big sea Catfish. Catfish is a fresh water fish that I am completely familiar with and common in Borneo. This unfamiliar fish had sensing whiskers under its mouth (I found out that they are called sensor barbs) and they were constantly prodding into the sandy bottom. I guessed it was filtering for food and CH reminded me that it is a bottom feeder. Its colour fascinated me. As the light was fading fast, it gave Spotty Wobby, the nickname I bestowed to the shark, a 'green tea green-yellow' tinge. It was completely flat on the bottom and moved ever so slightly. My growing curiosity prompted me to dive in for a closer look and I watched Wobby, in awe of its continuously sensing whiskers. I later found out that Wobbegong sharks are quite aggressive and have been known to lacerate human flesh, when provoked. Yikes, good to know for future encounters!

Besides the shark, I spotted about 4 Common Stingrays, a bunch of Blue Garoupas, a Morwong and a healthy school of small fish. All in all, a very productive result for a last minute test of my newly purchased snorkel.

Bird Rock revisited

(23 March 2014, Watercolours on canvas)

I had initially completed this watercolour piece on the 28 September 2003 and I painted it sparsely. Its previous incarnation can be seen in my first post. I was using a technique I developed in my teens, which was semi-mechanical and devoid of warmth, if I say so myself.

Hence, an update was deemed necessary on my part. I hope it radiates the searing heat of that day I spent at Bird Rock all those years ago.

Dawdle the Mandarin Duckling

(23 March 2014, Wax pastels on cardboard)

My quest for my artistic enterprise to take flight continues and as mentioned in my last post, the business of art is tough. Hence, I need to diversify and I am and have been trying out different ideas that hopefully can lead to financial support and independence.

I present to you the illustrations of the yet to be titled first story of Dawdle the Mandarin Duckling. A lot of hard work awaits me. 

Till next week.