Yew Trees - Pencil Sketches

Ok, these are a bit better. So, now I need to put the realistic drawings within a mystic atmosphere... Unfortunately these sketches are drawn from images found on the internet. This weekend, though, I WILL climb the mountain and sketch some trees from real life. I like the idea of looking up into the tree, as in reverence or as a child would look up to an adult. In Korea, Yew trees are believed to be the spirits of ancient ancestors. I plan to do the sketches on some rice paper.

I came across an interesting web site created by an English Professor who has been living in Korea for the past 27 or so years. Although the site is pretty simple it has some interesting thoughts about Jamok-namu(Yew Trees) on Taebaek-san and about san-shin (Korean mountain spirits). Taebaek-san is supposed to be full of san-shin.

In other news, there is a "foreigners" art show in Daegu in May and the deadline for entries is April 24th. Hopefully I can get something done and entered in it.

Meow Zen

Isn't this awesome? I wish I had painted it...
But it was painted by this dude...

Despair, self pity and a painting of my "Short Cut"

Well, I think my previous painting is a lost cause. On Sunday I'm going to climb the mountain, take my sketch book and draw some Yew trees from real life. I think the Yew Tree should be an ink drawing on a rice paper background. Also, Yew tree from memory is just not working out.

Anyway, I did this painting below to blow off some steam. It's a little sad to me that landscapes/cityscapes are currently looked down on now as frivolous and meaningless art. I really like them. Some exciting things happen in city-scapes. This painting is of a little short cut that I take everyday coming home from work. It's a smelly little sewer river, but pretty in it's own way.


I especially like the way these three buildings turned out. I like how natural and relaxed it is.


So, in conclusion,

I guess I'm forever destined to be in the Museum of Bad Art. I can only dream.

And here is a picture of my two biggest fans watching me work...Peace.

Grey Sky

Grey Sky sleeps
cold mountain stone bed.
grumbling, Thunder rumbles
a distant drum.

Grey Sky weeps
tears fall on soft cheeks.
precious water drops in my hands
a clear light.

Making art can be frustrating!

Well, here is Paper Art #1, AKA Pink Rabbit at Sunset. :-D It's not exactly how I imagined it to be at the beginning. I felt really bogged down by this piece, and just wanted to finish it. Sometimes its best to just move on. Not everything can be end up being the way you first imagined it. (In fact, most things I create become something entirely different. I'm not convinced that is a good thing, although happy accidents are awesome too.) But I must remember not to be too hard on myself, especially when experimenting with a new medium. Yes, I will try to keep telling myself that. I must admit it is a bit of a downer... Next picture I hope will go a bit smoother! I'm also trying to teach myself how to work faster. Faster and better. Like a machine? Too bad I need to sleep and work, it just gets in the way...



Here is the next paper project.

I think after this one though, I'm going to switch to watercolour for the next project (Painting of Yew Tree in Fog) Then I will probably do the Yew Tree in paper as well.

Anyway, just for fun here is an adorable picture of Micha and Nabi sleeping in their box together.

Night All!

Bloc Party

Elizabeth Gilbert on coping with anxiety and the artistic process

Beautiful Paper!

Bought my rice paper today! I can't believe how inexpensive it is here only 1000 won (80 Canadian cents) a sheet, and big sheets too. When I was in Regina, home for a visit, I went and checked out the paper story there. Yikes, it was 7 dollars for a sheet of paper.

I am so excited. It's really gorgeous paper. WoWEEEE! Soon, I will begin! Hopefully tomorrow night or Sunday. (Art idea here)

p.s. *NEW* post on the travel blog Annyong Haseyo

Cool Music Alert!

Harry Manx


M.I.A


Mother Mother

From the depths of the sketch book...

My plan is to do some water colour paintings with these, like the mountain landscape painting I did earlier.
My other plan is to re-create these three images using beautiful rice paper that I see in the little supply stores here.
Wish me luck and the patience to endure the tedious path I've set out for myself.


Pink Rabbits at Sunset Over a River of Gold


Yew Tree and Grey Clouds

I Live in a Mountain Town

i live in a mountain town
i live in a mountain town
she's turned my life upside down
this beautiful mountain town

we don't speak the same language
we don't speak the same language
i can hear people laugh and play
we don't need to speak anyway

the river said hello to me today
it sparkled and burbled on it's way
the mist came down from the sky
i greeted them with a sigh

i was firmly a prairie girl
then i was dropped into this world
and as strange as it may seem
these mountains are embracing me

i live in a mountain town
i live in a mountain town
she's turned my life upside down
this beautiful mountain town

*NEW POST*

I've posted a new entry on my travel blog Annyong Haseyo

bzzzzt

Christopher Robin, I think the bees S-U-S-P-E-C-T something.
Perhaps they think you're after their honey.
Well, it may be that. You never can tell with bees

Some more of my drawing... still not done though. I picked a largish bit of paper... my hand is cramping up.

Portishead "We Carry On"

Dear Portishead, thanks for making this song. I always feel like dancing when I hear it.

P.J. Harvey

Thank you Ms. Harvey for making sad and depressing songs, and making them beautiful too. xo.

Just a glimpse of the drawing I am working on now.

I've got bees on the brain...

I love Bjork and Radiohead

Thanks for making weird and awkward cool. I appreciate it. xoxo.

Circus

Mindscape #1

Mother's Garden

Glass Rocks

Connected