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

Monday, January 31, 2011

Monday Mantra: Don't Give Up!


Image courtesy of http://www.happilythinnerafter.com/

Every single time I get to a certain point in my paintings, especially my portrait work, I always feel like throwing in the towel!! And on many times, I have. But this time I slogged through and I am so glad I didn't give up! Yeah me : )


Friday, January 28, 2011

Flow


Over the many years, in the midst of my creative block, I would try and find books that would help me to unblock. One of the books I loved was called "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience"Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

Csikszentmihalyi defines "Flow" as moments of self-forgetfulness when we are totally absorbed in the process of life.

Wouldn't it be lovely to be in the flow of life/creative process all the time?




Thursday, January 27, 2011

Jaffas Lollies


Image from freshpromotions.com.au


Jaffas lollies are orange chocolate covered candy. They were created in 1931 and have been a mainstay in movie theatres.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Monday, January 24, 2011

Monday Mantra: Be Still


Image from Flickr.com









Sometimes it's good to "be still." And breathe. In our busy world, we are rushing around and don't take the time to just be. Go on and try it. You might like it!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Inspirational Quote


In Life the worst thing that can happen isn't failing. It's never having tried.

Quote from Simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy By Sarah Ban Breathnach

Friday, January 21, 2011

In The News: Queensland Art Gallery Flooded


My sister lives in Brisbane, Australia. With the recent floodings, I was greatly concerned about her and family's safety -thank goodness they are perfectly fine although most of the Brisbane city area is not. We had visited Brisbane in August 2010 and went to visit the lovely Queensland Art Gallery. I was wondering whether the art work was damaged at all but according to newspaper reports -the artworks were not damaged.

You can view the article here.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Inspiring Blog: Urban Sketchers.org


I constantly peruse the World Wide Web looking for inspirational blogs pertaining to my own artistic journey. I came across this blog called Urban Sketchers.This organization organizes groups of people around the world to pick a place and sketch what's in front of them. And they post their work on this very cool blog- you should check it out!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

In the News: Park Here

Image courtesy of Emily Berl for The New York Times

I saw this article in the New York Times about a fake "park" art installation located inside a gallery located on Mulberry Street in Manhattan. People go here to have picnics, nap and even do yoga. This park simulates being outdoors but without having to worry about the weather.

You can find the article here.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Monday Mantra: Every Day is a New Beginning



No matter what kind of day you have had, when you wake up the next day -it's great to look at the new day like it's a new beginning. It's a day full of possibilities! If you screwed up whatever project you were working on, start afresh. Sometimes it's good to sleep on a problem -usually the answers will come to you the next day.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Importance of Journaling


One of the best things an artist can do is to keep an art journal. It can be any shape, color or form but it has to be something you can write in, draw in and stick pictures in. It is almost like a vision board but in book form. If you are having trouble coming up with things to put into your journal or need some art inspiration, you can read books like "True Vision: Authentic Art Journaling" by L.K. Ludwig. You can read about the book here.

She also has a blog which you can find here.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Mandarin Word A Day


I am now in my 2nd year of learning Mandarin. My DS and I learn at a local high school every Saturday morning from 9 am -11 am. We both love it. I grew up speaking Cantonese but never learned to read and/or write Chinese. So now I am a beginner in learning to speak Mandarin, and a beginner in reading and writing Chinese.

I subscribe to an an email newsletter where I receive a new Mandarin Word/Phrase every day. If you wish to sign up, go here.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Lamingtons

Lamingtons, Oil on Canvas



Lamingtons are usually square mini cakes. When I was growing up, lamingtons were vanilla cakes covered in chocolate icing and sprinkled with coconut. In the middle of the cake was a layer of strawberry jam.











Image courtesy of gowalkabouttravel.com

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Inspiring Blog: 365 Make Something Every Day




My Dh came across this blog, by Noah Scalin, about creating something every day, . Artists featured on the blog pick a theme and create a drawing, a painting, sculpture or a photograph EVERY DAY!! I absolutely love this idea and I find it doable. This will be one of my goals for the year. I could draw or paint or photograph something, theme wise, every day -who knows where it will lead me? The founder of the blog also has a book by the same name. His 365 project was making a skull out of all kinds of materials -even food!



You can find the blog here.

You can find a link to his 365 every day project book called Skulls here.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Youtube videos are helpful



Not only am I doing food related paintings, I am also returning to painting portraits again. I was halfway working on a portrait painting and I couldn't go on. So I turned to youtube and watched a variety of videos on how to paint portraits in oil paint and that got me over the hump.


Go here for link. (courtesy of Sheldonartsacademy).

Monday, January 10, 2011

Monday Mantra: I Can!


Image courtesy of: evidencebasedfitness.blogspot.com

If we allow negative thoughts into our minds, it wears us down and we get stuck. So tell yourself "I can." Whatever you want to get done, you can do it. You know you can and so do I!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Artist: Mark Bradford


Image courtesy of saatchi-gallery.co.uk
Kryptonite, Mixed Media, Collage on Paper, 2006


I saw this article about Mark Bradford from the New York Times and was inspired by his artistic career. Mark Bradford, who is 6 feet 8 inches, thought he should be destined for basketball but decided to do something completely different instead. I like how he says he constantly challenges himself, "changing the direction of his work almost as soon as a new idea gains traction."

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Monday, January 3, 2011

Monday Mantra: Carpe Diem

Image courtesy of jimmyfitz.edublogs.org



On my vacation, I rewatched "Dead Poets Society' starring Robin Williams and Robert Sean Leonard. I really loved that movie and the one thing that has always resonated with me, even after all these years after watching it, was the theme of the movie -Carpe Diem, Latin for Seize the Day. This is at the top of my goals for this year -to take more chances with my work and my life -be more adventurous!

It's a brand new year so let's all Carpe Diem!