Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 88

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 88"
6"x12"
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This is a painting of some lanterns suspended from the second story of a shophouse. They really create a wonderful mood, don't they?

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 87 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 87"
SOLD
Click Here to see other available artwork

Happy Holidays to all! I hope that you all stuffed yourselves with appropriately ridiculous amounts of food :) We went over to a friend's house with several other couples. There were enough dogs and kids running around that it felt like a good, regular, American Thanksgiving. When you are living overseas (or just not in your hometown) it can get lonely unless you have good friends to celebrate the holidays with. The first year my husband and I were here we decided to just leave Singapore and go on a trip rather than just have the two of us to sit at home alone. The past two years we have been lucky enough to have wonderful friends to act as stand-in family and help fill the house with cheer and commotion. But being on the phone the next morning as my whole family was sitting around a bonfire acting like the sick, twisted, sarcastic people we all are very much made me miss them. Maybe in a year or two we can get back for the holidays!

Speaking of holidays, if you are a reader of this blog, and in the Singapore area, (or heck, if you want to fly in, go for it!) my husband and I are having a holiday party especially for close friends and patrons. If you would like to attend, just click the link here for more information. The party is on Friday, December 16th, and we would love to have you!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 86

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 86"
6x6 Oil on Canvas
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Mmmmm, as I'm in the kitchen today getting ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow, I want to let you all know how thankful I am... for everything. Without the wonderful support of my collectors, family and friends, I could not be doing what I love to do right now. I love my husband, I love my life, and I am greatly thankful for all that I have.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and make sure to tell someone you care about them how much they mean to you. And don't eat too much pumpkin pie!

Bill

"Bill"
6x6 Oil on Panel
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Meet Bill, the water buffalo. He was our neighbor down the street from our villa in Koh Samui this summer. He wasn't too happy with me taking his picture; my husband kept the car door open and the car running just in case he decided to charge!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 85

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 85"
6x6 Oil on Panel
Click Here to Purchase

I love it when I get a really good cabbie. When you get a good cabbie in Singapore, they are really excellent. They'll not only know exactly where your bank's ATM is, but they'll be able to wax poetically on the answers to life. Last night I had an especially awesome one. He was jovial, happy, and couldn't say enough about the Orchid Show at Marina Bay Sands. He got to see the new Gardens by the Bay, which has been partially opened for the event. He just loved it, said there were so many different beautiful plants in there. It really inspired me. Maybe I can get by before the show closes on Sunday!

The cabbie went on to talk about his life, and how he is also a sculptor. He had this incredible life story, and has studied under almost every famous artist here in Singapore. Unfortunately, economic reality means that he is a cabbie - not doing what he loves the most. But he had this incredible outlook on life. He said that by being an artist, and by developing an artist's eye, you grow to have a different outlook on life. You see the world in brighter colored glasses than the rest of the world, and that is how he is okay with driving a cab to support his family even though he would rather be in the studio. His advise really hit home - if I didn't have such a wonderful patron (my husband) supporting the beginning of my career, life would be very different. But maybe, even with the curveballs life can throw you, now that I see the world through an artist's eyes, it would still be brighter and more beautiful to me.

Singapore Heritage Shophouses No. 84

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 84"
6x6 Oil on Panel
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Whew, this past week just left me absolutely worn out! I discovered another area of really beautiful shophouses this morning when I was delivering a painting. It is in Joo Chiat, which I knew was a fantastic place for shophouses. This was just two blocks away from the area I had been exploring earlier, but I think I had given up and gone home after exploring for several hours. It is amazing what you can find when you have a car at you disposal!

I think that is one of the biggest things that I miss living here iAsia. Not having my own car. Having a car gives you so much more independence. We live on the MRT line, which is really fantastic. But it is not quite the same as having a car at your disposal- and a Jerry\'s Artarama around the corner!

Emerald Hill #3

"Emerald Hill #3"
24x36 Oil on Canvas
SOLD
Click Here to see other available Art

They've turned this little road full of shophouses into some fantastic bars and restaurants. It's very strange because they're literally right next to these 50 story high-rises. But go a block into this little area, and you can barely hear the noise from Orchard and it feels like a totally secluded area. It's also one of the most expensive - rent for a shophouse starts at $15,000/mo!

This week has been crazy busy, exhausting and fantastic all at one time. We got back from Vietnam late, late, late on Monday night. Then I rolled right into doing The Fair for two days and the AAS Charity Art Auction. (My piece sold for above retail value, yay!)

I've talked to several artists here in Singapore, and they are really re-affirming my sense that self-promoting my art is the way to go. I would love to have a gallery here that really helped nurture and build my career; in the meantime, I would also love to have a unicorn. I am meeting so many wonderful people that are nurturing me that much more! I learned a ton this week, and I am looking forward to getting back into the studio tomorrow. Lots to paint!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 83

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 83"
8x10 Oil on Panel
Available at the AAS Auction, Thursday, November 10th, 7-9:30pm

This is a painting of the architectural detail of a house on Emerald Hill. It is going up for auction next week for the American Association, and benefitting the Children's Cancer Foundation here in Singapore. It looks like the night should be an amazing night of art and auctioning. If you are here, you should head over there and help a good cause!