Continue the Work in progress...

Some new work in progress shots of the paintings i've been working on..
more to come..hopefully very soon. Also some retouching...

Whippersnapper Show pieces

Heres one of the 3 pieces Whippersnapper gallery selected for their Summer bonanza show this weekend. I finished it a little while back for the grad show at the burroughes building.

Longing Tree - oil on wood 11x17








As for the concept of the piece, its a reflection of the feeling of a song called maple. Originally, it was what the assignment asked for, a reflection of a song for the personal narrative class. It was also how I was feeling at the time. Here is the lyrics of the song for those interested. I wish to create more pieces like this in the future, with more emotional connection. Special thanks to Harvey Chan and Blair Drawson for art directing me through this piece.

Dark clouds cast a shadow over our hearts
I listen intently to the feelings that have long been silenced
Distinct and clear
Just like a beautiful landscape
That can only be clearly seen in one's memories
Can a heart that's been thoroughly wounded continue to love me?
I tried hard to hold (your) cold hands
The tenderness in the past
Is locked in time
All that's left are sadness that cannot be dispersed
Longing is like maple leaves, slowly drifting down
I light a candle to warm this year-end's autumn
The aurora steals across the horizon
The north wind flits across the face that's thinking of you
Ashes from my burning heart falls like leaves
But I can never regain (your) familiar face again
Longing is like maple leaves, slowly drifting down
Why must I try to recover all before winter arrives?
My love for you transcends all time
Two streams of tears that were shed for the autumn's end
Let the love flood through
I just want you by my side
Snowflakes have already covered the ground
Fearing that the maple leaves outside the window are already frozen

These are the other pieces that will be in the show, also for sale.

Innocence (Chaos Series - Collaboration with Elise Trinh)
Framed Print 17x22









People and Places
Pen and ink on paper, Framed 9x12

Red Wolf Hood progress

Went to Bobby Chiu and Kei Acedera's dragon sketches show today for the launch of their new Dragon Sketches book and it was awesome! Lots of great originals on display and this new book is for sure now their best book out yet. The show is at Labyrinth so go check it out if you haven't already.

Here are some photos of progress shots of my painting in progress...probably will use it for grad show..if it ends up turning out nicely.

































I also want to mention today about some quotes my friend jinny posted on her blog..you can check them out "here" For the most part, they are quotes with lots of wisdom, its always inspiring to see them. I also want to note about the michelangelo story she mentioned...its very interesting because many of us start doing art late some people compare themselves with young artists whom they think draws or paints better than them...then they start thinking they are not good enough or they won't make it..etc etc. Personally I think it doesn't matter when u start doing art. All you need to know is if you like it..then do it...its never too late to start. I've met a few artists in the past who started drawing and painting when they were 30s or 50s...and with hard work they soon became strong artists. Hard work over talent always.

A few years ago when I was tutoring little children in art, i came across a lady who was around 50 years old and suddenly realized she really wanted to learn...she told me that she never had the chance because she was married early and then had children. There was just too many responsibilities in the house with her crappy job on the side...taking alll of her time away. Finally now, her children are grown up and she has freetime again...so she can finally do something she love, art.

Personally, I have been doing it when I was pretty young. But in my early days, elementary...and most of highschool...i also spent a lot of time on playing games, doing nothing every day, ICQing, and so on...lots of time wasted where i could be doing art. I think back now and there are always regrets. But then i think, ok what if all my time now...I make good use of it? What if i draw 10 hrs a day now? What if i just take a few hours every day and just draw what i draw, then i will never regret about this time. What matters is now, not what will happen with ur art in the future...or what happened in the past. In the end its all about how much u love doing what you do. I truly believe that anyone who has the passion to work hard in something, one day, there will be something rewarding to come.