The artistic path of uncertainty and freedom

When I first started this blog...

my goal was to share my passion for creating art and to showcase my pieces with the world. 

I didn't want an over designed or complicated blog. I didn't want it to be stifled by templates and stagnant formats. I want it to have a simplistic and child like vibe. I want it to not be hindered by rules or standards. Like how I produce my pieces, I want it to be free...

I have always dreamt of making a living out of my artistic pursuits but the gods of commerce demand uniformity, both in product display and approach. A buyer's world. But will this be in the way of true creativity and exploration? I think so.

I have been working very hard on my art portfolio in the last 8 months. Pursuing ideas, art and creative designs, without the promise of monetary security. 

I dearly hope that this dream becomes a reality this year. However, the true nature of 'hope' entails an ironic combination of 'happy success' and the highly plausible 'cruel disappointment'. Of course, I hope for success in every endeavour pursued. The key goal for me is to balance the enervating emotion of disappointment with the positive 'oh-so-small' forward steps.

If any of you out there have real contacts to 'nice individuals' in the art world, do let me know.

I am going to work on my children's story, 'Max the mandarin duck', in the next few days. Wish me luck :)

Boh Munyong   

 (13 January 2013, Acrylics on canvas) 

'Boh Munyong' means 'Water buffalo from Munyong' in Bidayuh. I spent some time in Borneo towards the end of last year, specifically in Munyong, Bau. When I saw this female buffalo, I was immediately attracted to the mud formations that had set on her undercarriage. More so, I simply found her beautiful. 

My aunty had tied her to a post and she was grazing in the area allowed by the radius of her leash. Every once in a while, she would yelp at her 'babies' that were not too far from her.  

There were some debate on her identity when I first uploaded this painting to my Facebook page. Bajit had apparently gored Sujak, a local guy, many years ago. 

 

Marilyn & Marion

(27 December 2013, Acrylics on canvas)

Gertrude

(20 January 2014, Acrylics on canvas)

I wanted to surprise my dear aunty Gertrude by doing a portrait of her after lunch on new year's day. I initially drew her on paper with a ball point pen but it ended up looking slightly lop sided. My reference photo was taken from a wedding my family went just a week before.

When I returned to Sydney, I had made up my mind to do two paintings: One of my aunt and one of the beautiful valley in Kiulu. It was a way for me to overcome homesickness. I must admit my choice of colours was rather muted as my reference photo was not very clear but I was quite happy with the results.

Black bean tree

(7 March 2014, Acrylics on cardboard)

The idea for this painting came when I went for a walk after a full day of brainstorming for project ideas. I wanted to clear my head and get a breath of fresh air. 

It turned out to be a glorious late afternoon and my eyes were immediately attracted to these striking trees grown on the side of the road, with their silvery foliage, peppered by the contracting black bean pods.

I wanted to draw it with soft pastel but I soon realised how difficult it was to get the right colour intensity on cardboard. 

Romina

(16 March 2014, Acrylics on cardboard)

Romina's birthday was coming up and she had expressed to me that she would like an abstract painting based on a pink-green-yellow-brown colour palate.

I initially wanted to paint in a straight abstract but I decided, at the last minute, to add a representation of her face to the composition of abstract shapes.

Creative design ideas: T-shirt, 3D cards and autostereograms

(T-shirt: 15 March 2014, Huntsman) 

(3D cards)

 (Autostereograms)

Acknowledging the practicality of selling art, I know that I need to diversify my 'products'. These were some of the results of my experiments in the last few months.

An uncertain path

(9 March 2014, Acrylics on canvas)

This painting is a metaphor of the life journey of many artists. A journey to the unknown but one continues to forge ahead. You look around and some times, you can feel and see an image of yourself, already successful sans worries. Alas, these images are never clear and never for certain. 

Kiulu

(16 March 2014, Acrylics on plywood)

My family went on a drive to Kiulu located about an hour away from Kota Kinabalu and known for white water rafting and mountain biking. A tropical shower had just finished and the ground was still wet. The air was saturated and heavy. The winding road was taking us further and further away from the nearest town and suddenly, we came across this valley. It is a normal view for many but for me, the composition was just perfect. I insisted on taking a few reference shots and the rest is history.

Fact: Plywood was used because I had a piece of recycled plywood lying around after I dismantled my IKEA drawer. I thought drawing a jungle valley landscape on treated plywood was appropriate. 

 

Advent time is here...

A Sydney December...

Where has the year gone...? Suddenly, it is December and the year 2013 is almost finished. 

Sydney is very beautiful in the summer, especially if you are lucky enough to live close to the sea. We are blessed with good weather, particularly today. Everything just looks beautiful in the sun...

... even the wild flowers look so vibrant..

Poinsetti (Christmas flower) 

(Medium: Watercolour)

Inspired by recent effort, I wanted to continue painting in watercolour. To learn the subtlety of watercolour painting and the application of specific brush strokes, I had to stifle my bias (and ego) for acrylic and pastel and embrace watercolours. 

But I was quite happy with this effort. 

This painting is not big in size but for me, it is big in personality. I felt that I have come full circle in terms of my respect for this medium.

The actual image came from a tree in the back garden. It looks so beautiful in the sun...

Happy holidays!

Sydney's Drummer; Vibey Summer...

Sydney's Drummer; Vibey Summer

Summer is here, although one might be inveigled by the odd cold snap but the coruscating sun is definitely out, interspersed with the odd rain.

My proclivity to immerse myself in any body of water is akin to an over excited natrium reaction. One might also associate such proclivities to a summer's habit but don't be fooled, I am in water all year round.

It has been an exciting few months. I have gotten to explore more artistic tangents and ideas, especially in projects that require more technical know-how. The interweb is pretty amazing source for literally anything. I have researched and created phone apps, studied spatial theory, created my version of the origami wallet, written songs and of course, played with other art mediums, to name a few. 

Without further a do...

Porter's Slate

(Medium: Acrylic)

I was walking home from the shops when I was looking down at the adjacent building's new pavement slates. Well, they are not exactly new but the relatively clean and untainted grey slate tinge gives me that impression. One of the building's resident is quite the ardent gardener; always foraging; forever pruning. But the nearby trees, with their jaune-marron leaves, create their own unique collage on these pavements. Subtle, random, ever beautiful. How can I not paint you? You are my catalyst to paint.

Casa en Chile

 

(Medium: Acrylic)

This painting started as a cost saving exercise. Ever the spend-thrift, I detest waste. I had just finished 'Jessie and the three bears' and I couldn't possibly waste the colours that were still left on my palette (well, a make shift palette made out of an old bowl). With no preparation or plan, I quickly went about creating the background layer of the painting. I wanted to create a piece based on the traditional houses of Chile. Why Chile? It's because my friends, Alex and Cote, are from Chile and I wanted to create an abstract based on a typical Chilean abode. Anyway, the foreground image is based on a photo I researched and it fit the canvas...appropriately. 

Le lac du Borget et Chambery

 

(Medium: Watercolours)

Watercolours have always been my bete noire. It was the first art medium taught to me and perhaps because I struggled to rein it in, this medium was never a favourite. I have always admired those who have mastered it. Beings with inertial gravitas. I have tried to improve my knowledge through hours and hours of gallery study, both in Sydney and abroad. But I discovered that it is not about control; rather it is about letting go. It is not about getting the exact definition but be content with the strokes that have been achieved, via your paint-soaked brushes.

Anyway, these two small pieces are my experiments with this medium after a ten-year hiatus. The scenes are based on a beautiful part of France. A place at its most stunning during l'hiver (winter).

Be expecting more watercolour pieces in the next ensuing months. 

Ester at the Cloey

(Medium: Watercolour pencils)

When I feel the urge of creating a watercolour effect, without the pain and frustration, I resort to my trusted watercolour pencils. First introduced to me by a former housemate, back in the nineties, I have never looked back. They are so good for quick sketches and studies. This particularly beautiful subject is the daughter of my very good friends. I wanted a simple narrative and composition but creating portraits, regardless of medium, is a tricky affair.

Journey

(Medium: Ball point pen)

One of my most favourite things to do, while travelling, is to doodle. I would doodle to my heart's content. When there is nothing else to do, I doodle on. Cock a doodle do!

But this particular occasion, the result was quite strange. My family would attest that I have an affinity for eyes and faces. This 'drawing' would not disappoint them. Anyway, I never know what comes out from a doodle session and hence, the wicked attraction.

Cards 

I don't generally buy cards, except on the odd occasion when I know the recipient is not receptive to 'homemade' cards (and I have experienced the wrath of such people). I thought I'd share some of the cards that I have designed. They are customised to taste and preference but normally, they are a product of my whim and mind implosion.

Last but not least, I wanted to show you what one can do with a bit of homemade latex (wonderful melange of gelatin, glycerin and water) and face paint. I must admit, it was quite an enjoyable experience. Another tangent to explore? Hallowed Eve = Create Scars To Scare.

Until the next entry....

Quack a quack quack.....

Quack a quack quack.....

As promised, I shall try to blog more often. 

I did the following painting of Max in wax.

Max, the mandarin duck (Wax crayon)

I have other rough drawings of new ideas for paintings but let's save that for the next entry :)

Greetings from me in 2013

Greetings from me in 2013

It has been yonks since I made an art post. I apologise profusely.

Many things have happened since my last post, professionally and artistically. 

Currently, I am a full time artist, albeit a non-selling one. I am trying to do some cross promotion and research on improving visibility, internationally, but I admit it is quite a daunting task.

The following paintings were completed since my last post. You can see that I have tried to change my style a little bit based on the feedback that I have received through social media and direct contact. My goals have always been to work on my creative design company and to carve a living out of it. If any of you have any ideas and contacts for me, I would be ever so grateful.

Anyway, I digress... 

Bronte

(2013, Acrylics on canvas)

This painting is based on one of the my most favourite beach in the world, Bronte. It is my local beach, which explains my shameless bias. I also realised that I have actually uploaded this painting before...oh well..

Mother and Son

(2013, Acrylics on canvas)

 This painting is based on my sister and her son. 

Self portrait

 

 (2013, Acrylics on canvas)

This painting is a study of my own face and the usage of negative contrast. 

Possession

(2013, Acrylics on canvas)

This painting depicts what I think I represent...a balance of animal instinct and clown but guided by my own destiny.

Hot day

(2013, Acrylics on canvas)

Very strangely, this painting is based on my last visit to the Downs in Bristol, England. The feeling that I felt while trying to keep myself cool.

Jessie and the three bears

(2013, Acrylics on canvas)

The first painting in my series of paintings based on fairy tales and children. 

It is beginning to feel like Christmas..tra la la

Hi everyone,

I managed to finish some paintings this weekend. I also realised that I have not been thorough in explaining my paintings.

Anyway, the first one is a painting I did on "Avoca" beach.

Medium: Acryllic on canvas

I am actually in the middle of doing another 'beach' painting: Coogee.

The next pieces are quick sketches / paintings. I actually enjoy doing them more than my big canvas pieces as they are more fun and raw. 

"Senor Elvis"

Medium: Acryllic on paper

"Puan Muan"

Medium: Acryllic on paper

"Anna"

Medium: Crayon on paper

"Sydney Harbour"

Medium: Pencil on paper

I have not updated my blog in a very long long time. Anyway, these are some of the pieces that I have done this year. 

I am currently working on another "Beach" themed piece. Will keep you guys posted.