Life is beautiful!

There are always beautiful things around us if we border to spend some time looking around. In a fast pace society like Singapore, most of the time we are so busy that we missed all the good things surrounded us. As we are running around, do we stop and appreciate the colours of the falling leaves? As we are rushing with all our deadlines, do we realise the kind gestures extended by those good people standing next to us? So one of these days, please slow down a bit and stand still for a while, you might be surprised that the tiny little things around you are indeed beautiful.

Do I know you?

I was on my way to attend a concert. An ex-student stopped me and asked whether I can remeber her? I paused and replied no. She seem to be disappointed and walked away.

I have been teaching for many years, even for some students who I used to be closed, after some time, I might forget their names. So I felt that she needn't need to feel bad about it. Things around us do change and our lifes changed as days go by. So I asked myself: "shall I feel bad about it?" The answer is definitely NO!

Met an old friend, she said when she saw me for the first time, she already can feel the ART in me! Many of things that I do is always Art! Art! Art! Wow! this is something I didn't realise, at least at that point of time. But loving art is something in me! I draw and paint, and print and sculpt almost everyday and wherever I could. Many times, friends asked why I create so much art pieces? I just not able to answer! For me, art is a hobby! art is my favourite past time! and now I am sure it is in my blood.

Every day I create art pieces hoping that they will add beauty to our world. Every day I pray for extra time, so that I am able to complete more works. A 24 hour day is never enough for me and I am not sure if there are people around can understand me? Luckily, I do have more time nowadays and I manage to fulfil some of my wishes and hopefully I am able to share these joys before I perished from this surface of the earth!

Am I lazy?

I have not been updating my blog lately. This is not because I am lazy! Over the past few weeks, I have been busy with my paintings and have managed to complete several big paintings. There were numerous ideas running through my mind persistently and I couldn't help but express them. Most of these works took me days, and some even took weeks. Nevertheless, there is the same sense of satisfaction after each work is completed. The drive is still there and I feel that there is so much more I can do, and yet I am running out of time. A 24 hour day is not enough for me, and I keep pushing myself to strive for better works. All the while I've thought that when I become a full time artist, I would be able to rest more. However, the truth is that I am as busy now as I used to be. The difference is I am much happier, for I am doing the thing that I like most!

It's a long October .......

I met a friend in Lee Hock Moh’s exhibition. He asked why I didn’t post any blog recently. I wanted to share how busy am I packing and unpacking my stuff when I moved my studio. I stopped because hong told me not to do so. Hong believes what I said will affect my state of mind, so I tried by sharing my ideas of working towards a new series of ink paintings instead.



Not many people can understand the amount of work involved in making a studio space. As for myself, it’s involved lots of planning, organising, learning and waiting. The very first stage was of course the planning. I do have ideas of how my studio space should look like and spent quite a bit of time designing the usage of space. However, as I moved into the organising stage, many ideas and designs needed to be changed. Contractors pointed out several weaknesses in my designs that I have to give up my some of thoughts in the end. There were the learning stage where contractors and friends gave down to earth advises and I am required to rethink about the design. It is followed by the waiting stage where the selves took three weeks to build, the renovation took another two weeks, the longest of all was the lightings, they took seven to eight weeks to complete because the uncle fitting them was on a six weeks vacation in China. So I had to work on the dim light condition over the period. But I am happy, I managed to get many things that I want, nevertheless, I am still work on my studio space.

A friend fainted last week and Hong and I decided to pay her a visit.

It was located somewhere near the central business district and parking was hard. I drove my car up a multi-story car-park. It was a long “climb” for the car as I needed to circle round the building all the way to the 10th level. As I was complaining about the situation, Hong asked to look out. It was another side of the city that I have never seen before. It was quite a view! I quickly took out my camera, walk around and took some pictures.

Sometime in life, we need to encounter some pains in order to get some gains. Often we grumble about the hard work we put in and failed to see the fruits of our effort. Perhaps it will be good for us to slow down and appreciate things around us. A view, a friend, a tiny little gesture……… things around us can be beautiful, always!

Rebirth

A friend of mine was sharing his experiences, he concluded that many things in life, you need to forego in order to reborn (to give a new meaning to it)!

With that in mind, I look at one of my unfinished work hanging at a corner. I took it down and rest it on my table and begun to splash paints onto the surface of the work! I was puzzled for a while, but to my amazement, the more I work on it, the better it looks, and finally a brand new lotus work was born.

I never expect a new appearance of lotus was created because I destroyed an older one. It might be true sometimes in life we need to leave things behind in order to have a new start.

HELP?

A teacher friend of mine is seriously ill recently and asked me to pace his graduating students to complete their work.

As time to final examinations is near, I offered additional time to assist pupils during my free time and received no monetary rewards in return. The first few sessions went on well. Pupils were heading for the right directions and I am pleased with what pupils have achieved. As I was happy with what I see, demands increased. I tried hard to cope with these requests, however, I was annoyed with conditions came along with them. Timing, materials, level of assistance ……. Everything changes, as when I turned down unreasonable demands, things get ugly!

Personally, I feel that the younger generations have been given much today and yet many of them do not really treasure them. As our communities give and give and give, they just take and take and take without thinking about gratitude. Very often when we help, we do not need others to appreciate what we did, but at least on the receiving end, people should learn to make things easier for the people who care about them. By demanding someone to give up their actual job just to cater to some selfish matters, have our young people be able to do them themselves? Have them spare a thought for others? I wonder …………

Good artwork?

Yesterday, Hong asked what is good art? I paused for a moment, thinking hard and yet I couldn't come up with a generic good answer.

Perhaps it is easier to answer what is good art for myself! Personally I believe a good piece of artwork should be loyal to an artist emotion at the point of creation. If someone is happy, the work should look joyful then. That's why I create my works according to my mood. How would I paint a work that I have no idea what it is about? Rich bright colours ran through my canvas as when I felt like it, ink splashed over the clean white papers as when I wanted to add favours to them. The enjoyment over the creation of genuine art pieces is good, the expression of true feeling is good. That's why I follow the teaching of Jingling school of scholars whom advocated the giving free rein to one's own spiritual and emotional impulses in creation.

Another lesson

I love to draw and painting. Most of the time, I would carry papers or a booklet with me and grab every opportunity to draw or paint.

One day, as I was busily scribbling my ideas away, I met an old friend. He saw me with a sketch book, he looked at me and said he don't draw on small paper like mine. He always draw on much bigger piece of paper and he would ........ Hum.......... I am not sure about his thoughts over such a remark, but I certainly have no problem if someone can draw a bigger and nicer piece of work. I will indeed happy for him or her, just as I created nice work for myself. What I don't really understand is why compared? Does it matter someone created a small or big piece of artwork? I think the most important idea behind the work is processes, the joy and attainment you get. Why compare then? So I smiled..........

Caring and Sharing

Quite a number of year ago, Ministry of Education launched the Community Involvement Programme aiming to cultivate the caring and sharing culture among our young. The ministry even included community partnership as one of the accessment areas for schools. Out of a sudden, all students in Singapore involve in community programmes, the questions is whether our society, or even schools, are now more concerned about our community?

Perhaps I should rephrase the sentence to: are the youngs or the schools really care and share with the needy? I really have some doubts! Most of the time, we do alot, but the purpose behind the doing is incorrect. Sometimes, the basic idea behind it is good, but the idea is twisted and bended. In the end, what we do is just a formality. Everything is done on what is wanted.

This is pretty sad though. Especially for school leaders who always on wants and forget about the needs, what is good for the society. Very often, we stress the importance of doing the right thing and not doing thing right! How often do we have the courage to face it? How often do we have the courage to stand up for it?

1st August 2010

Today is 1st August. I planned to publish two posts in July and yet I only managed to publish one.

In life, we planned for many things that we wanted to have, however, plans can change. Sometimes it might be the case of external factors, as for this particular issue, it was purely my laziness. I have been working on many last minutes matters and allowing myself to relax a bit more on others. As a result, plan needs to be altered. Now I have to remind myself not to excuse my laziness to change my plan again.

About feeling good .....

A friend of mine bought a new car recently. An expensive luxury car! She said that she is better respect now after she travelled around in her new car. She is much happier!

I am happy for her indeed. For me, I could only dream to own such a car. However, I am also a bit worried about the feel good sensation comes with it. I have no trouble for her to be happy and own such a car if you love it and able to afford it, but certainly not being happy cause people respect you more when you drive such a car!

We are often blinded by what we see around us, and we failed to see the truth. Most of the time, we choose to see what we want to see and want to believe that we are right. Sadly, what we see is not always true. Its okay that we have good feelings from time to time, but if we are sinking into the ocean of good feelings, we might soon be drown by them.

Short term happiness is the engine that pushes us to move forward. Long term happiness, however, comes from within, the search for our inner soul with understandings of the true meaning of life! As looking for respect that is given by other truly and not affected by factors surrounded you.

The Power of Money!

There is a modern Chinese saying: "Money is not everything; but without money you have nothing!"

Money is the power behind lots of changes. Especially in this modern world of ours, many things, many issues require money to get things done. Sad though, but it is a fact of life! Even in the purest form of a human nature, as when we touched our material world, everything changes! Minds being corrupted, there will be a weighting between wants and needs; money versus moral? The benefits and costs step in and the issue continues ............

One new chapter!

Yesterday, it marked a new chapter for my studio. The old studio in old school (even though it is merely 2 years in operation) has offically moved to Kim Chuan Drive, somewhere near Tai Seng MRT station. The move was a bit unexpected. Just a year ago, I thought I could have operating in Mt Sophia for a much longer time. With that in mind, I actually planned a series of exhibition for my students and friends. I thought I could have used the space to promote art related activities. Now, everything has to put a side.

It is difficult to move my studio! There are just too many stuff there. I did not know that I have collected so many things within the last two years! Many are my works. Allan told me that I have not shown him my range of works. Indeed it's ture! I always have ideas in mind that I recorded them, but did not really develop them. Most of time, I just painted a few of those. I am already so tie up by the current sets of works. Time is so precious and I just don't have enough! It is a sight of old age? haha ....... I wonder!

Almost forgotten about my own exhibition.

The Duologue was organised mainly because four of our fellow artists are going to move out of Old School! The landlords decided to increase the rent by almost 300% which is beyond most of our budget. So two of us decided to have our last show in Old School before we move out. It is a small gathering with friends, fans and many supporters. Sad to leave so, but what to do? All of us are busy searching for new location at the moment.

Hello again!

In life, many things will turn out to be very different from what you have planned.

After going through some much pains and effort, I thought I could have a more relax life! However, what followed were lines of other work queuing for me to complete. Many are surprises to me and I have to settle these issues day by day and not knowing what to expect next. Perhaps this is good for me too! At least I could not be lazy. I have work and think about solutions. And with the little time left, I could not help myself focus on my art ........ paintings, seal engraving ....... I have created some good works over this short period of time.

April Fool's Day!

It's April Fool's day! A bit cautious about things that people said.

Today also the last day that I am teaching of a group of pupils in an art club. A group of talented pupils whom have progressed well over the last 7-8 weeks. The upper secondary girls over the weeks managed to produce a huge Chinese painting of 582 x 68 cm. It is quite an achievement. In particular one secondary five girl, she manage to find something she love and able to manage it well. Kind of sad to leave them just like that............. but life still goes on.

Got some big assignments on the way. Need to work hard! You always feel good if someone appreciate your works! You will not feel so lonely as if nobody understand you. Though you might felt tie, the energy behind is even greater. It helps to keep you go and go .......

Hope!

We need hope in our life! Without hope, we can end up with great despair, we could be very sad.

I was recently trapped in a situation of little hope. I was then planning for a big time adventure for myself. I thought I have everything organised, to my surprise, the situation was indeed the opposite. I do not have the resources to fulfill my plans and I was losing the support I thought I would get. Suddenly, the rosy picture turned blue, I exhausted all my resources. With limited resources, I have no choice but to give up part of my dream and face the reality. My plan schedule again need to be set aside in order to fix my problem. Plans have to be delayed, however, people don't see it!

With much despair, I am losing hope in many things that I do. I was mentally trapped within eagerness to set myself free from the situation. I jump from one solution to another restlessly. Then, one day, I realised that I am getting nowhere. I stood down, begun to think about the situation that I am in. I gave myself some ideas on what could I achieve, I was hoping, and giving myself hopes that things will turn up fine in the end. The hope I have was a compass that help me to set my direction. With hope I found the energy that push me ahead.

Good Art Exhibitions!

Recently, there were many good art exhibitions around. The first was the Tiong Gee exhibition. He was a friends that I know for many years. His simplicity of overall appearance of his art works always amaze me. Will simple mass of colours and lines, he managed to present to us a peaceful and calm, Zen-like work. More than a gentleman, he is a man with few words. I get to know him during an exhibition more than a decade ago. He is an easy going person with much thoughts. In this particular exhibition, he again presented his collage works with essence of life. Light hearted, simple colours, with touches of lines completed a series of compositions that is interesting and refreshing.


Another exhibition by Bak Chiang who happened to be my friend too, presented a series of that is greatly influenced by minimalist school of art. Most of his works is made up of a few lines with a mass of ink shades, some with the touch of birds,frogs or flowers. The placement of his objects were careful and thought-through. The presentation through the Chinese media certainly added a new dimension to the works of art.


The sculpture exhibition by Shai Po led us into a world of environment issues. Her amazing structures are constructed with a series of black and white materials, which send strong messages about deforestation, global warning, dying reefs .......... according to the organiser, she had studied the exhibition space for quite a while before she came up with this series of sculptures. The black and white combination was a powerful contrast of two opposite forces. The message behind is strong, just like her works, her thoughts.




One cannot denied is the quality of works created by our late pioneer artist Cheong Soo Peng. A show was organised for him in NUS museum. In this exhibition, I was overwhelmed by the range of works exhibited over the halls. Oil painting, Chinese Ink, Sculptures, Watercolours ......... He was definitely a hardworking artist who experimented many styles and medium. A forefront artist merging the east and west techniques and composition, subject contents together. In his western media, you see the eastern composition, and in the eastern media, he present his works with western techniques. An exciting show that I do not have enough time to study.



Just as I was writing this blog, an invitation for Eng Teng exhibition was handed to me. Hum ............... this is good! I am happy that the art scene is filled with good art exhibition. It's about time to boost our art senses, and I really hope this will continue.

Beautiful things ......

It was a sunny afternoon and the weather was hot! I was walking in Pasir Ris Central covered with shirts that was half-wet. For no reason I looked up, I was amazed by a cloud that floated next to a palm tree. Quickly, I ran to my car, took the camera and took the shot!

Many times in life, when we are surrounded by hash environment, we tend to forget the beautiful things that exist nearby. Yes, nearby is the word! Because we need not have to travel far to collect the wonderful gifts around us. It's a matter of the mind, the perspectives we have for ourselves. If we only treasure things of a certain values, we will fail to see nice little things that is meaningless to us. As we raise our expectations to higher levels, we might not be able to see the things we treasured once. Worst still, when we mark our expectations at a point that is beyond our reach, we will then be chasing our goals all our life and might end up with pains and sadness. As a result, we will not be able to appreciate our life to the fullest!

Therefore, it is good for us to be realistic! Perhaps slow down our pace a little and look around us. There might be many beautiful things you that you failed to see in the past and you might appreciate them better by now!

Words!

We always like to hear nice things! So, when others speak fondly about us, we are happy, on the other hand, we hate to hear unpleasant remarks about us!

As our society developed, as we geared towards a cultural society, we wanted to show our care and concern by saying only nice things to others. As times passed by, we forgotten the progress is based on constructive ideas and feedbacks from people with different perspectives. The nice words we collected over the years built our confidence, and we relaxed our humble beginning by listening to others. When we hear something that is different from our thoughts, our defensive system will automatically kick in. We refuse to listen anymore! We became more self-centred and less caring even though we talked so much about it.

With a society that is so highly developed, all of us are busy with our own lives. We always like to gather positive remarks, comments or information that are in favour of us. Often, we failed to see the truth! Failing to see the truth enable cheats and lairs to flourish. A lack of time is the excuse we generally like to use, and it hinders our progress and development.

In the teachings of Confucius, he has three phrases that speak against flowery words. In two of these phrases, he mentioned that flowery words will erode one's moral character. In the last phrase, he tells us that flowery words are unlikey to be of justice and great virture. So the next time when we want to say nice words to others, think twice.

Painted a painting that I like! I dreamt about it last nights and I can't wait to complete the image today. It is a painting of a cityscape! Some recall the painting a resemblance of Mr Lim TP's or Mr Chua EK's works. To me, a painting is just a painting! It is a works of my heart.

In this particular work, I was thinking how could the traditional Chinese landscape painting theories and idealogies be transferred to a newer context? As I laid my brush strokes onto the paper, I handle every building like mountains, the roads are the rivers. With all these combine together, the composition is more of the Mr Li Keran, the stroke is similiar to traditional Chinese "Chun Fa". I think I do have a style of my own.

Reflections

It is hard for us to realise our weakness! Worst still, as others pointed out to us, we stand firm and believe that there isn't anything wrong with our weaknesses, and if there is something wrong, it must the others' imperfection that contributed to the problem.

There isn't anything wrong by standing firm on our ground. But it is also important for us be sure of ourselves. As when others commented on a situation, we should always evaluate the situation with an objective mind. Many times, we are overran by our own stubboness, which lead us to blind spots that create failures in our life. Worst still, it might also lead to trageties for our love ones.

So, self-reflection is a vital tool in perfecting ourselves. And more importantly, we should focus on what we did and not to direct problems to others. We should start to change ourselves first before we could begin the changes in others.

Friends!

We do not have a choice when we come to who are our relatives, however, for friends, we do have the rights to choose the person we wanted to be friend with.

As Chinese like to say that, who you hang out with will influence the way you behave, we sometimes need to be very careful in selecting our friends indeed. Nevertheless, Confucius also said: as three men walking together, there would be one that we are able to learn something from. For the good, we will absorb and try to practise them. For the bad and ugly, we should reflect upon them and constantly remind us not to repeat them. No matter whether it is good or bad, there are always lessons we can learn from. Only through these lessons, we will be able to perfect ourselves one step at a time.

Growth and growing .........

Yesterday, Seow Jia visited my studio and later Yeow Sheng gave me a call. In past weeks, there are list of well wishes from friends and my ex-students. I am delighted and comforting that they remembered me. Sometimes in life, it's how we want the people around us to remember us. Kindness will return to you some day, even though not all will. But I am happy that most do! I remember once I helped a student to pay for her examinations fees and she disappeared after that. Years later, I received a thank you note plus the amount of money within. Honestly, I have already forgotten about it long ago, but the note that I received really make me feel great! It's good to know that she is doing well.

Many times, we do not need great things to make our life meaningful. Tiny little stuff can be as powerful. With every tiny little of care and love that we give, they might turn up to be lots of impact on others some day. Hopefully this enables the world to be a better place to live in!

Simply ART!

Painted a watercolours on canvas. The pupils were amazed by it. I was demonstrating to a group of kids how Chinese painting techniques can also be applied in watercolours, and watercolours are not necessary to be painted on papers. There are many common areas in both eastern and western art. Art is an universal language! Art has no boundaries and restrictions. As an art educator, we might have to remind ourselves that art is about creativity! Even we have to work within some limitations, we should not stop ourselves from exploring new boudaries, ideas and technical know-how.

I am very happy today! A group of my ex-students added my name as their friends. I set up the account just days ago! and a group of student in particular, that I feel very badly for not getting good results for their exams, added my name too! It's somehow make me feel better! I have never felt so bad for this group of kids as they work so hard for their exams and yet their results did not match what they should get! Sometimes, life is so unfair! they are such a nice groups kids and I really wishing them well!

Happy Year of the Tiger!

It is the eve of the lunar new year! Hopefully the year of the tiger can bring more good news to everyone. Every new year bring hope to us. We are constantly looking for better year ahead, this is the energy that got things going and progresses. As for myself, I have set some plans and hope that all my dreams can come true! In this year of Tiger, I prayed for less tragedies and good health for all mankind!

The scholar of the new and the old traditions

I was preparing some works for cancer society to raise fund. Saw this particular work that I painted last year which wrote the scholar of modern and past traditions. In the society of rapid changes today, many of us are trapped by the conflicts between the new and the old values. For me, I experienced many issues which do not permit me to do in the past and yet it is commonly practised today. There is always a question of shall I or shouldn't I do it? As one of my teachers once said, we are trapped in our own "treasures" (our past traditions and knowledge) and we are not willing to forgo them. Perhaps this is why I am so attached to old traditions?

Photos in the papers!

Found my photo on the papers! Recent exhibitions have quite some publicity for me. Happy about it and yet not sure what to do next? It is always important for all of us to improve all the time. I sat in front of my works and think .......... Answer don't come easy. Perhaps I should spend more time thinking about it!

Excavation!

It was the opening of the group exhibition. Sze Yang has been working very hard on the project. Sometimes, my current work is so busy that I don't really know how could I help. Fortunately, Sze Yang did not complaint! I really appreciate his effort!

The exhibition was a nice one. The space is good. However, it is a bit off the main city area. The turn out was a surprise! Many friends who I haven't meet for a while were all gathered around chatting about their lifes and adventures!

Had an open studio session. Unexpectedly the space was packed with people. Shared quite a bit on my art creations. Friends and more friends with many that I met for the first time. We talked about Chinese painting; what is contemporary Chinese painting. Interesting I talked a lot. I think I am in a hyper mode! By the end of the day, everything went on smoothly. I am happy! I hope everyone does!

City windows!

Engraved two seals today! One is the image of the lotus growth series. The other is the phrase "happy with what you got!". I think the second seal is more for self-comforting. Very ah Q as the Chinese would say! My eye sight has not been good recently. It take a while for me to focus and refocus. That's why I engrave less seals. Pick up a brush and painted another city windows. Happy! Happy? I am not very sure about it. I was rather tried. Wanted to rest a bit more but time is running fast! I need to catch up with all my work.

Life!

Often, we just want our life to be fair, but it is so difficult! As we look around us, there are many happenings that are so unfair! Many people get away from justise and yet we can't do anything! I asked myself why? I have no answer to that. I got fustrated with what I see and yet I am not able to do anything. The unfair and unjustise in life sometimes make me think about the meanings of LIFE! What is Life? I asked. I am thinking and thinking hard about it!

Back to work again!

Life is always busy after the festive seasons! Even though this year is not as busy as they used to be, I have committed myself in several exhibitions and shows. This is a good way of getting me to work on my art seriously.



Catch up with Rui Yang yesterday. He has improved in his drawings. We discussed alot on art creations and what is art about? For many of us who like to draw and paint, often we do not spend much time thinking about the functions of art, the meanings of art, the importance of art! We just merely creat art for the sake of art. Sometimes, I felt that it is good that we could give ourselves time to think about art, the creation of art, the processes involve in art making can, therefore, be more interesting and meaningful.

Growth and growing

After the long break, it's back to work again! Get to see friends and more friends. Among the hello! Hello! and HELLO! There are atmosphere of excitments and hopes! Everyone is looking forward to changes and more changes. Life is always full of changes. It can be changes for the good or sometimes changes for worst.

Get to catch up with some old students of mine. Some I have taught them long long time ago. We shared our lifes and experiences, and we laughed! Many times, old man like me grow together with my kids. As they are becoming mature, I wonder if it is the sign that I am geting older?

Happy New Year!

It's a new year! Last night while the rest were having their count down, I was busy with my work. Got a bit fussy with my own work! Yet, I like the process. Sometimes, people like to ask how long do I need to complete a piece of artwork, I really don't know. Some can be half an hours, and some could be years. The completion of an artwork really depends on the artist himself. Many times when we felt that the works aren't right, we might kept them for a long long time. Anyway, this is how I got to spend the new year eve. Managed to think about life as I worked on my art.