What is a Tuck Shop? It is Aussie for a Canteen.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Monday, December 5, 2011

Inspirational Quote

Louise Bourgeois, Maman, Bronze, Marble, 1999

Every artist was first an amateur
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of www.art.net.au



Mark Galea, From Paradise, acrylic on canvas, 2006

Friday, October 21, 2011

Will Barnet is 100 years old!

Will Barnet, Woman Reading, Color serigraph, 1970

Image courtesy of silverandexact.wordpress.com


It is truly inspiring to read about an artist who is 100 years old and still painting!

For article, go here.

Importance of a Daily Routine


Image courtesy of peacheydesign.wordpress.com

Lately, I have been distracted and can't seem to get into type of regular creative routine. I have no excuses! I realize how important it is to treat my creative work like a job. I need to treat it like any normal paying job. Each morning I have to write down what needs to get done and then I execute those tasks. Whatever creative pursuits you want to achieve needs to become a habit. It has to become second nature.

Do you have a daily routine that helps you create?

What are the most important triggers for your creative state of mind?

What happens to your creativity if your routine is interrupted?

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of TrudyWhite.com

Illustration by Trudy White

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wordless Wednesday


Image courtesy of: tiptoptens.com

Willem de Kooning, Woman III, oil on canvas, 1953

If you are interested, Museum of Modern Art in NYC is currently having a de Kooning retrospective.



Friday, September 16, 2011

Inspiring Article


Daring to Stumble On the Road to Discovery, New York Times, August, 7th, 2011. I love how this article is about finding creativity through imperfections.

For the article, go here:

The author also wrote a book.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Inspirational Quote


Image courtesy of soul-psychics.com

Make sure that the things you do keep us alive.

Graham Nash

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Fairy Bread


Image courtesy of funfacts.com.au

Fairy Bread is commonly served at children's parties. It is white bread spread with butter and hundreds-and-thousands (Australian for sprinkles). You should try it!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Carroll Dunham, "Point of Origin" 1988-92. Etching and aquatint

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of moma.org
Cy Twombly. Leda and the Swan. Rome 1962

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Fantales



Fantales are a hard caramel coated in milk chocolate wrapped in distinctive waxed paper with mini Bios and "who am I segments" printed on it.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of oneinchpunch.net
Cao Fei, The Birth of RMB City, 2009

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of visualarts.walkerart.org
Kara Walker, "Excavated from the Black Heart of a Negress" paper cut out, 2002

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Painting of DH

Oil on Canvas, 14 " x 18"


I just recently finished this portrait of DH. He says it reminds him of Albrecht Durer. I guess because of the dark colors I used and the hat he is wearing.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

In The News

Image courtesy of epicblackcar.wordpress.com



Two Gertude Stein related exhibitions are currently in San Francisco. Gertrude Stein was a writer, as well a collector of art by artists such as Cezanne and Renoir. Picasso had also painted a portrait of her. She was famous for having a life companion who was Alice B. Toklas and this was in 1907.

You can find the article here.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of royalquietdeluxe.blogspot.com
Joel Penkman, Egg Tempura, 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Inspirational Quote


goatquotes.blogspot.com


We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.

Aristotle

Thursday, May 19, 2011

In the News

Image courtesy of xroads.virginia.edu



Sharecropper, 1968, print

Elizabeth Catlett, who is 96 years old, is known for her work relating to social issues and the politics of gender, race and deprivation.

You can find the article here.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of dart.fine-art.com


Ellsworth Kelly, Lithograph

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Cheezels

image courtesy of aslambari.com



I am a huge fan of cheese type snacks. Cheezels are one of my favourites! Made from corn and rice, they are a crisp puffy ring with a strong Cheddar cheese flavour and aroma.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk
Marlene Dumas, "Die Baba" 1985 Oil on Canvas on Linen

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Daily Routines Blog

Image courtesy of blog.extensis.com


As I am having a hard time getting back to my creative routine (yet again), I came across this blog which is about the daily routines of famous artists and writers. Unfortunately, the blog is not updated but still, it is really fascinating to read.

You can find the blog here.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Excellent Website for Learning Mandarin

Image Courtesy of blogs.princeton.edu

My Chinese teacher told me about this excellent website for learning Mandarin.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of www.davidkrutpublishing.com
"Black", Photography by Boo Ritson

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Inspirational Quote

Image courtesy of fzebaseball.net


"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves."
- Edmund Hillary

My apologies for lack of posting on here. My DH passed on his cold/cough to me so I have been trying to rest as much as I can to beat this thing! I am able to still do what needs to get done but my artwork/blogging has fallen by the wayside a little. I was trying to find a quote which would encompass how I was feeling this week. I felt that having this minor cold/cough thing was an excuse to not do any of my art and I could very well fall into a period of procrastination and I didn't want to be this way! It's all up to me to get up and keep on going as usual.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Alice Neel Biography



As a birthday gift, I received this biography of Alice Neel: The Art of Not Sitting Pretty by Phoebe Hoban. I can't wait to start reading it!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image of tfaoi.com
Milton Avery, Three Friends, 1944, oil on canvas

Monday, March 28, 2011

Monday Mantra: If There is No Change,There is No Change

Image courtesy of ideachampions.org


I think this picture says it all, don't you think? If you are stuck in your work process, what should you do? You should do something and see where it leads you.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of csw.art.pl
Cindy Sherman, Film Still, 1977-82

Monday, March 21, 2011

Monday Mantra: Habits are Helpful

Image courtesy of donmilleris.com


Sometimes, I feel it is helpful to start out each day with a routine. It is so easy to get distracted and let the day get away from you. I always start the day with breakfast and then I have a schedule of what I plan to do each day. Of course, unexpected things come up but generally my days are planned out. My 2 main things that I should do before I do anything else is come up with a blog post and write in my journal -which, lately, is not happening! These 2 goals need to be habits -things that I do without any hesitation.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

In the News

Image courtesy of illustrationfriday.com


Loved this fun article about Maira Kalman. The article explores her home office and she talks about her office essentials and what inspires her. She has been illustrating, painting, photographing for over 30 years. I love how she says that her inspiration comes from books and she has 5000 books! And her office is also computer free and email free -how lovely to be distraction free!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of newyorkmag.com
Richard Serra, Intersection II (1992–93)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

In the News

Image courtesy of nysun.com
Rachel Feinstein, Army of God, 2008

Mr. John Currin and Ms. Rachel Feinstein have become the ruling power couple in today’s art world — perhaps the most potent marital pair since Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner in the 1950s.

For the article, go here.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

In the News

Torah



Mr. Norman Gorbaty, 78, has been making artworks — many of them large — for more than half a century — hundreds, probably thousands, of pieces in more than a dozen media. I liked how he says, he doesn't remember some of the works he has created -which means he has produced tons of artwork! Truly inspiring!

Go here for the article.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Portrait of my son

Oil on Canvas, 14" x 18 "




I had given up on portraiture because I would always get to a point where I didn't like how it was going, it was a frustrating process and I would abandon the work. But since completing a portrait commission, I have found a renewed passion to start up portraits again. I just finished this portrait of my oldest son who is 10 years old.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Learning Mandarin: helpful website


A classmate from my Saturday morning class told me about this website called Yellow Bridge. It is a very helpful site with all kinds of learning Mandarin tools on there.

If you are interested in the website, go here.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of nla.gov.au
Arthur Boyd, Oil on Canvas, Jacob’s Dream 1947

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Vegemite

image courtesy of whatscookingamerica.net


What is Vegemite? Good question. It definitely is quite unique in its taste, look and smell. It is something most Aussies grew up with, even from immigrant familes such as the one I came from. You had to have it spread on white toast or have it as a sandwich. Since moving to New York over 16 years ago, it is quite hard to find it here but a couple of places do sell it now. And when I do go back to Australia, I always bring back a couple of jars!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Monday Mantra: Motivate

image courtesy of pasadenaisd.org



One of the main things that motivate me is having the love and support for what I want to achieve. My DH, my kids and some of my friends who are always there to encourage, support and motivate me. I also love to motivate anyone who wants to reach their goals too. What motivates you?

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Inspiring Blog: rightbrainterrain.com



I am always searching for art related blogs that are inspiring and helpful. This rightbrainterrain.com blog is all about getting you to create.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of thecityreview.com

Sculpture by Lee Bontecou

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Books I Love

Painting by John Currin



I came across this book about contemporary portrait painting. It is a fantastic book full of wonderful artist interpretations of portraits.

It is called Painting People by Charlotte Mullins.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Monday Mantra: Think Positive

Image courtesy of ifind2.com


I am a huge believer of being and thinking positive. I feel that if you truly feel this way -things will turn out.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Wagon Wheels

Image courtesy of fnw.com.au



As a child, I remember these Wagon Wheels snacks. They were a chocolate covered biscuit with marshmallow and strawberry jam in the centre. They were sold in tuckshops and milk bars everywhere.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Image courtesy of artnet.com

Max Beckman (Self-portrait with crystal ball), 1936

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Chinese Bok Choy

Oil On Canvas, 9" x 12"

For a present for my mother-in-law's birthday I painted a picture of Chinese Bok Choy since she loves vegetables so much!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Monday Mantra: Push Yourself

Image courtesy of pushyourself.com



I know we can all push ourselves much more than we normally can. One of my goals is to do just this. I want to see how far I can take my creative journey. In the words of Bruce Lee: “There are no limits. There are plateaus, and you must not stay there; you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you.”