The Golden Twenties

If you follow my Facebook Page, I'm sure you would know that I had a severe Great Gatsby fever just a while back (although I don't think I'm entirely over it yet). Long before this movie even appeared, I have always been fascinated by the Golden Age of the 1920s. I think it's one of the most romantic and beautifully portrayed days of the past. The glamour, the art, the fashion, the music, all seem to flow harmoniously together like a beautifully written song. Artistically, to me this era itself is a vision of a great masterpiece.

And here are some of my most recent works, inspired by those marvelous golden days...

Don't you think it's incredible how a single movie could trigger such a wide ripple of influence? I'm just amazed to see how the trends have changed their directions and present the twenties in a more brilliant way. Suddenly women are wearing their hair shorter or in curls, taking the dance floors in flapper dresses and trotting the streets with their cloche hats. Such a fabulous way to relive the past, and I'm glad we all got a taste of it.

How about you? Were you hit by the fever too? ;)

Hugs,


Note: All works above are available at The Wish Forest.

Revisiting My Magical Forest

When I was little, I used to imagine myself living inside a magical forest. And being an inhabitant of a haunted house for over ten years, I think this magical forest was somewhat different from the kind that most children would imagine. I remember drawing some strange looking animals (like bears with wings or birds with human legs) and my nanny would try to correct me, saying that they looked nothing like the real things. :)

Having this magical forest well kept inside my head until today, I was stunned when I first saw the works of Kathleen Lolley just a few years ago. Her curious looking art describes my "magical forest" as closest as to how I imagined it as a child. It was like reliving my childhood past one long day after another...

Other than her brilliant paintings, she also creates enchanting, intricately made shadow box art...

Now don't tell me that you didn't get goosebumps after seeing all that! I just love how her work harmoniously blends the magical and the curiously dark as one incredibly amazing world. It makes me want to turn back the time and dwell in my childhood days once again. :)

If you have fallen in love with Kathleen's art (which I have no doubt you have!), here are the links to more of her work:
Official website
Etsy Shop
Flickr

Anyway, I'm so glad I finally got the chance to share her work here. Til next time! ;)

Hugs,

Let Loose and Unwind...

Well hello, everyone. I hope you've started July with a good kick. It always seems like this particular month just creeps up on you and before you know it, half a year has gone by! Now I can see myself running on full speed for the next six months. I guess some people never learn. ;)

Anyway, what have you been up to these days? Any special projects keeping you busy in the studio? It still amazes me how being an artist provides different kinds of adventures everyday, even with the nerve wrecking deadlines! I love how you can switch from one theme to another, from medium to medium, and basically just do whatever your heart desires.

As you can see, I'm still finding time to splash paints around in the studio...something I like to do when I feel like "letting go" once in a while. I think using pencils most of time can make me too comfortable with working in slower pace and less spontaneously, especially when I have to do more intricately detailed works. And painting is definitely a good way to let loose, to help let myself unwind a little. I'm even thinking of going an extra mile the next time...maybe mixing the mediums about. Some collage works, perhaps? :)

Well, if you have some special tips and tricks of how to unwind from your work habits, please feel free to share. I'm sure we would all love to hear them!

Best wishes,