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 : )

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?

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.

Wordless Wednesday

Image from Brooklynmuseum.org

John Singer Sargent

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!

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

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.

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!

Wordless Wednesday

Peter Booth, Old man in snow, 2003

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 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.

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.

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.

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