Must I make something new for the new year?

Happily dived in Phuket and saw some most beautiful life in the sea. 

Will I continue to make them, or will I make something new? 

I was drawn to the various natural colors.  I was attracted to the fascinating shapes, and movements, and life ...  but I still want to have the same thing happen: spontaneity.

2012 was a very fulfilling year for me as though my voice was heard.  I will have to see what happens next ... with the same dosage of courage if not more.

Go go go ...

Completed on 12.12.12. Really happy to see that it was well received.  "Dive in #4" will be mounted on the sailing boat "Shahtoosh" in Phuket, Thailand.

I'm going to diving in Phuket too!  Gotta go deeper and see what is out there for the next one :)

... fearfully and wonderfully made

Such is the beauty of making abstract art - I plan as much on the picture plane as I can, sort of know what I am doing, but I can never expect the outcome. 

"Dive-in_4" came alive when paints and mediums were cleaned up, revealing a kind of raw and honest colors that coat the textured surface.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It was just perfect for the next step, hopefully a finishing one. 

I showed the client the work at a very early stage.  I knew she was concerned about the light tone, but I believed my eyes so I stubbornly assured her that all was good.  Mid-week I sent her a quick WIP image by phone, but there was no feedback.  Yesterday when she saw this, she smiled. 

Journey ended with thanksgiving

The exhibition fell into the week of Thanksgiving and my birthday. Really delighted to say "Journey" ended on a high note. Individual and groups of friends gave me surprise visits, emails, text messages, information exchange, flowers ... Patrons continued to visit, check my work out, appreciate our show, call to enquire about commissioned paintings. Even passers-by took their time to study my mixed-media pieces (not sure if they were tempted to touch them!) Had a big sale in the last hour on the closing evening, which was indeed a surprise birthday present - my abstract work earned a recognition. Happy Bubbling Away. "Hi-5 God!"

My heart's still overflowing with thanksgiving.

 

"Journey" Opening reception on Nov 12, 2012

It was indeed a remarkable evening.  Many invited turned up and we were all busy from the opening hour till the end.  I was certainly busy at my corner with friends, families and patrons, I had no time to rest. 

A year's work being put together. A very memorable journey for myself.

Really joyful evening, so many guests and visitors turning up which was beyond our expectation.

 

So happy to see many of my art-loving friends, buddies and families who give me unreserved support.

 

 

Meeting old friends, making new ones, sales of artwork, getting a commission work ... non-stop talking about art, but most fulfilling!

 
This gentleman was so interested in the technical details of my art. Love this "artist talk" - absolutely gratifying!

A special buyer, who always remembers me and my art, came up for me, examine my works ... that was super cool!  Wish I could take a photo with him!  May be I'll request it when he comes to collect the painting at the closing.

Eliza's exhibition with Artists Abroad

Artists Abroad 18th Annual Exhibition - "Journey" 2012

In "Journey" - the theme of this Annual Exhibition, my exhibits (mostly sculpted paintings on canvas blocks) are technical experimentation and narrative exploration using various mediums - putting 3D bubbles (an extension of the “Otherworldly” series) into the context of an existing contemporary realism series.

from duty to delight ...

After all preparation is done, it may be a normal path to seek opportunities to exhibit as an independent artist.  Such thinking, if prolonged, can easily lead me to feel that it is a ritual to keep.  But today, a new revelation came upon me in my quiet sitting at a corner of the gallery.  I was just well pleased to see my works in such context, being shown to the public.  I was at ease, ready to listen to comments, spoken or unspoken, from even visitors I don't know. 

I am ready to move on, to face more challenges - to play and experiment the unknown, to wait for my heart to tell me what next, and to guide my hands to bring about the ideas into presence.  I will not paint for the sake of painting.  Painting simply cannot stop.  I know a new collection will have to be birthed.  Making art and exhibiting are no longer dutiful, but a delight.

... explaining to Ivy about this painting "Joy".  Joy, unlike "happiness", does not depend on what happens.  Joy is stable.  It fills up the deep well of confidence from within.  In times of trials, even seemingly dark, hope and light is ever-present.  Like keeping a balance in tonal distribution on a picture plane, it is important we keep a balance in life too, be joyful knowing we have once overcome, and never let any dark hours push us back.  When breakthrough comes, brilliance simply leaps forth at staccato speed to tell of a triumphant moment.