SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - NIGHT 9

Comments: The deadline has come and passed...and I could care less. I still aim on completing the sketchbook though. :-)

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - NIGHT 8

Comments:  Not caring about submitting the sketchbook has liberated me from the constricting stress of meeting the deadline.  With my current schedule, I know there no way I could complete the sketchbook by tomorrow. On another note, here are the batch of colored pencil segments so far. Enjoy!

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - DAY 4, NIGHT 7

Comments: In tribute of Studio Ghibli and Pixar and all those cute critters out there.

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - DAY 3, NIGHT 6

Comments: Yay!  Arthouse Coop just notified me that the postmarked deadline for shipping off completed sketchbooks has been postponed until January 18, 2011 instead.  That provides 3 extra days for me to scurry and scamper, and get my act together!

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - NIGHT 5

Comments: Ravenous cravings of Zabar's mustard might have impaired my judgment during this segment of the story development.

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - NIGHT 4

Comments: So...I'm screwed. At this rate, I won't meet the Sketchbook deadline. Work pretty much consumed my past 3 days so I have not been able to complete any new drawings. However, I'm enjoying such a wonderful time just getting lost in a world of imagination, time doesn't seem to exist. The process is so blissfully engaging, I feel like all internal and external worries disappear. Regardless of whether I am able to finish the sketchbook by January 15, 2011, I'm going to continue anyways. This is the first time in my life where I've actually designated more than a day towards art--and it feels FANTASTIC!

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - DAY 2, NIGHT 3

Comments: Decided to divide the story into two narratives that will be merged at the very end of the sketchbook.  These two separate series will be artistically distinguished by the art medium and art style. On a side note, the environment outside my house is transforming into a winter wonderland as I type!

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - DAY 1, NIGHT 2

Theme: Trading Forever.
Sketchbook Title: Exchangeable Curiosities.
Comments: I thought it would be befitting if the selected theme was connected by a substantial narrative rather than just a compilation of loosely theme-based sketches ...and what better way to start the story than with a journey?  I'm going to decide to keep all of the sketches in this book simple.

SKETCHBOOK PROJECT - NIGHT 1

If you encountered an incredible but intimidating art opportunity, would you still pursue it despite some rather convincing foresight that there may not be enough time to squeeze it into your hectic schedule?  It was a risk well worth considering, and after some lengthy period of contemplation, I eventually decided to participate in the "Sketchbook Project"  back in November 2010.  Unsurprisingly, I haven't started yet...until today.  The postmark deadline for shipping the completed sketchbook is January 15, 2011.  Although some folks have had more than half a year to complete this project, I will attempt to do the insane (as a consequence of my procrastination) and finish this over the next 2 days and 5 nights... Since the artist has the liberty to do whatever they fancy to the book (as long as it is within the 5.5" x 8.5" dimension), I will remove several of the pages to be more realistic in meeting the deadline.  This may either be a salvageable and enjoyable experience or an utter regret.  Only time and determination will tell...

Posted below is a sneak peak of the first page, which mainly consists of a cut-out. I was nervous completing this the whole time since I didn't really plan any of it out carefully and this is only the second time I've worked with an exacto knife.  The first time was way back in 2001 on an original design lotus cut-out.

Vietnamese Noodle Soup - Mì Nước

Words cannot begin to describe how grateful and fortunate I am to have such a wonderful mother who is also an incredible cook!

The Personalized Collection

A personalized series of unique cards reflecting a classic, simple exterior and complex, vivid interior. Each card is custom-made to display a random assortment of symbols, and themes that embody each recipient's character. Crafted in celebration of close friends who I am grateful to have met in this lifetime. More to come soon...

Stamp Carving

I received the fortunate opportunity to try out stamp carving for the first time today during the 11th annual Drawing Jam in Seattle.  For the past couple of years, several friends have raved about the event but by some stroke of bad luck, it always occurred during instances where I was either occupied or out of the state.  This year, things have finally changed for the better.  The one day event is a phenomenal opportunity for anyone interested in exploring art.  By paying only an entrance fee of $10.00, prospective artists have full access to all of the facilities at the Gage Academy of Arts.  Top quality art materials, good food and live musical entertainment are all supplied for free and there are clothed and nude models around the clock for anyone interested in figure drawing.  More information can be found here: DRAWING JAM.

Our original designs were first drawn on tracing paper using lead pencils.  The lead components in these pencils easily allowed us to transfer the image to rubber carving blocks, which we then engraved using linoleum cutters.

Urban Ecology

Central Park really is a green oasis in the middle of Manhattan/NYC.  Words cannot even express how much I miss my friends there...and Chikalicious...  The following shots were taken with a Nikon D60 camera.

CUSTOM CARD

For Paolo, who happens to have an innate ability to communicate with cats like no other.  If anyone is going to set the trend of owning 50+ cats", he will...  Wish I had more time to spend on this quick, rough painting...

KITTEN EYES

Acrylics on cold pressed paper 4.5" x 8.5" (2010)

Happy Earth Day!

Every so often, we are reminded of how fragile life is... A single-celled organism abruptly develops into a ravenous contagion; spreading like wildfire and garnering death along its path.  A species can dominantly escalate to the top of the pyramid of life; ignorantly desecrating the soil with insurmountable waste and raping the magnificent mountains of trees.  Pure air transforms into concoctions of pollutants. Pervasive oceans carry potent toxins.  Resources become scarce--triggering wars beyond the hapless, illusory boundaries that humans selfishly declare as "their" own... Whatever possessed us to claim these lands and its diverse inhabitants for our own benefits? They were never solely ours to own, but to share. 

Soon enough, nations begin declaring war to monopolize the very gifts Mother Earth harnessed.   Acts of desperation and survivorship displace remnants of generosity.   Compassion, empathy and diplomacy become fabled virtues of the past.  Like a disrupted pond stabilizing into a fixed reflection of reality, it slowly becomes clear how detrimentally futile our corrupt concepts of politics, monetary value, greed, social reputation, pride and segregation pale in comparison to the true values of life.   It is surprising how quickly unexpected events can leave our concept of existence hanging on a thread.

SPROUTING SEEDLETS

Outside "La Casa Luna" aka Alison's house (Seattle, WA).

However; within the volcanic ashes of a ravaged forest lies a delicate seed with the ability to rekindle a nourished dream of new life, hope and regeneration; a life untainted by environmental degradation, depleted wildlife habitat, and human injustice; a life devoid of insufferable acts and cruelty; a life filled with understanding, inter-connectivity and respect.  Whether we like it or not, we are intricately woven into an ornate tapestry; each string recognizable as a separate thread but tied together to form a single, elaborate piece.

Cherish the Earth as if it were your soul and very existence.  The rivers are your veins.  The water is your blood; propelled by every breath of life and a beating heart .  Cherish the Earth not because it yields the resources you need but because it is a part of all of us.  Revel in the majestic canyons and ancient forests.  Celebrate the beauty of pristine lakes and lush meadows.  Dance amongst the symphonic melodies of unruly sea breezes and ocean waves.  There is such a wealth of pure joy and beauty around us and the vision of sustaining it together is invaluable and indispensable. 

Celebrate Earth Day everyday!

EARTH CAKE

Baked with love for my colleagues at work. ♥ Wind energy!

Strawberry Yogurt Cake recipe inspired by "Happy Homebaker" with the liberty of making a personal couple of adjustments. I actually cut the cake in half to add in a layer of home-whipped chantilly crème and freshly cut strawberries.  The crème was also used to decorate the cake surface with silhouettes of what was initially supposed to represent the seven continents but due to rushed efforts, I did a rather rushed, sloppy job of depicting the Earth.  This whole cake was an experiment.  Turns out people would only be able to devour 4.5 continents instead. 

Mug Design

For Hugh: company beer mug design.  Det Norske Veritas literally translates to "The Norwegian Truth."  Does that not sound like a cult?  Too bad it actually isn't... That defintely would've called for an interesting job description... 

DNV MUG LOGO
Micron pen on paper 8.5" x 11" (2010)
Text added in Photoshop

Soccer Crest

For Hugh: Due to the final stages of Global Energy Concept's (GEC) acquisition by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), we have now fully adopted the latter name as our company identity. Unfortunately, that meant that all apparel bearing the former name could no longer be worn.   Moving forward, our new soccer jerseys were redesigned to reflect these changes.  Per request, the team leader was interested in placing a soccer crest on the front.  The back of the jersey would bear the official DNV logo.  Funny enough, our company colors are coincidentally similar to the Seattle Sounders.  What are the odds of that?

To view last year's soccer jersey designs, please click here.

DNV SOCCER CREST

Drawn digitally in Photoshop (2010)

Plant Concepts

For Corinne, Yow, Aditya and Will: rough, rough sketches of the requested plants for their game concept of "Heroes in Green."  The only criteria consisted of simple, clean lines. Decided that a dosage of cuteness wouldn't hurt.

INITIAL PLANT DOODLES
Pencil on paper 7" x 10" (2010)

  

PLANT COMPREHENSIVE LAYOUT
Pencil on paper 7" x 10" (2010)