Textures to express smoothness. How far can it go?

New work finally takes its very first steps!  A continuation of the previous textured Bubbling series.

Can smooth surfaces be textured?  This thought has stayed in my mind, but the trying out of the idea at the beginning of year in small scales and watercolor led to a whole new page itself - new series, solo show & fun great sale.  No regret though, coming back to this one in bigger scales, the expressions are much enriched in layering and mark making.

New curating experiences!

Oh my!  Some six months' gone! I didn't even realize I haven't blogged here although I have had some very exciting art experiences - I had the privilege of using the space of a private gallery to curate some art shows at total liberty.  Check out my Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/elizachengfineart

The casual fun watercolor series gave birth to my solo exhibition:  Homescapes

An extension to a weekend mini art fair

Joint show with another female artist to show my illustrative series:  Illustrated Memoirs

Curating the show for a watercolorist

Mounting my students works to celebrate my 15 years' art teaching at my own studio

A quickie - indulging once more!

There's so much in my head I want to paint or to record.  Quickest easiest way is watercolor.  It helps me loosen up too, before I really go all the way to experiment.

A quickie - indulging one more time!

2013 new beginning

My day-off on 31.12.12 was fun with watercolor, just meant for fun, but how addicting it was! Since then, the mark-making has been craving for more experiments. Hmm ... a new and exciting beginning :)

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.