BACK TO PAINTING AFTER LONG HIATUS

LOS ANGELES 

From Tokyo, we moved to Los Angeles in early 1990.  It was not a new place for us as we had visited many times in the past.  But still, relocating to a bigger city was overwhelming, to say the least.  Painting paraphernalia came with us but was not even unpacked.  Taking care of the family was always the priority.  During weekends and holidays, it was our time to explore LA and surrounding counties.  Painting was far from my mind, although we visited beautiful places with breathtaking sceneries. 

SINGAPORE

After just over 12 months in LA, my husband was offered third posting in Singapore.  There was no hesitation as The Garden City was considered home. It was good to be back to familiar places, seeing familiar faces and most of all feeling safe again. 

Not wanting to be a golf widow every weekend, I put most of my free time and energy in getting my official golf handicap.  The club became my second home. 

It was a few years of hiatus and one day, a good friend invited me to take drawing and oil painting lessons with her.  Although it was only for less than a year, it was a good refresher's course.  I learned a lot from the instructor.  Some of the oil paintings were not finished as fumes of the solvents and turpentine became almost unbearable for me.  I did paint on my own after the lessons, but it took a long time to finish them as I would only paint few hours each week.  Here are some of my completed paintings, which I kept:

Anthuriums 35x45 cm, Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

Heliconia 35x45 cm, Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

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THE CREATIVE SPIRIT

My creative spirit has been rekindled.  I also have more time to paint now. The person who influenced me the most, as an artist, was my father.  He was a very good sculptor. When I was young, I would watch him do sketches, start sculpting using wood, cement or marble and transform them to beautiful works of art, which he sold. Some of my brothers and other relatives followed his footsteps.  I wished I was old enough to learn from him.  Instead, I followed a different path by continuing academic studies till I finished my Masters Degree in Business Administration. Art, as a profession was farthest from my mind during those years.

HOW IT BEGAN

It started as a hobby in the late 1980s. I enrolled in a Chinese painting class here in Singapore for a couple of years, till we moved to Hong Kong because of my husband's job. I enjoyed painting and meeting friendly ladies who were beginners too.  We all had the passion and creativity.  We did finish several paintings and had a mini exhibition. Many of those I completed were given to friends and relatives.  Here are some, which I kept.

TOKYO 

My husband accepted a posting in Tokyo, Japan.  It was a culture shock but, in no time, we got used to it and loved our way of life as expatriates in this fascinating city. We learned the language and that helped a lot. To keep myself busy while my young children were at school,  I decided to sign up in an oil painting class.  My Japanese sensei, who spoke perfect English, was so amazing!  He was almost 80 years old at that time but was still fit and mentally alert. His painting style was more realistic with very fine details. His paintings were like photographs.  That was what I liked as I'm a very detailed person in most of the things I do. I was in awe every time I view his paintings.  He really inspired me and was sad to stop learning under him because I had to leave Japan.  This style would be reflected in many of my works.  Below are some of the oil paintings which I did under his guidance.  After using oil paints and seeing the vibrancy of colours and spreadability, there was no going back to water colours.  The downside was long drying time.  Waiting time to fully cure an oil painting before varnishing is usually six months to a year.  

FRUITS - Still life, oil on canvas, 40x45 cm, completed in 1989.  My very first oil painting and it's a copy of Paul Cezanne's, French artist and Post Impressionist painter.  I was told still life was good for beginners.  I found out that copying the work of a famous artist could be challenging and rewarding at the same time.  I was very happy with the result.  The original was actually exhibited in the Tokyo National Museum, few months after I finished the painting.  I didn't waste time and immediately went there to view it.  I felt proud after seeing it as I thought I did justice to the Master's work.  Below is the photo of the original, which I downloaded from Wikipedia, just to compare.
(Note:  Available in Giclee Canvas or Archival Paper Art Prints (plain or embellished)

PORTRAIT OF A GIRL - Oil on canvas, 40x45 cm, completed in 1990.

Portrait of my daughter when she was almost 10 years old.  Portrait painting was difficult for me as a beginner.  It took me several months to finish this. However, I wanted to challenge myself and my sensei was there to guide me.  The likeness was close but I didn't think my daughter liked it.  It has not been displayed for many years. 😃

IKEBANA ARRANGEMENT - Oil on Canvas, 50x60 cm, completed in 1989.  Ikebana was a favourite subject then.  I was learning Sogetsu flower arrangement during the time I was painting this. Ikebana arrangement was fun to do and was part of our lifestyle in Japan. I thought my own painting of an Ikebana arrangement would brighten our home.

Note:  Available in Giclee Canvas or Archival Paper Art Prints (plain or embellished)

GEISHA - Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, completed in 1990.  Based on a photo, I really enjoyed painting this. Being in Japan at that time, it made me aware of the beauty and uniqueness of kimono and how traditional many of the Japanese women were. This was chosen by my sensei when we had a mini exhibition at the Tokyo American Club.  

Note:  Available in Giclee Canvas or Archival Paper Art Prints (plain or embellished)

WHITE HORSE - Oil on canvas, 60x75 cm, completed in 1990. Based on a photo and the last one I painted while still in Tokyo, this was a timely subject as 1990 was the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Horse.  It symbolises enthusiasm and energy.

Note:  Available in Giclee Canvas or Archival Paper Art Prints (plain or embellished)