The Mentor - SOLD

"The Mentor"
6x6 Oil on Panel
SOLD
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This is one of a three part series I'm winding up for a commission. It seemed to me like this little boy was sitting and contemplating the wisdom of times before, and the great face in the stone very much looks like a wise mentor to me. What do you think?

As much as everyone decries the evils of Facebook, I had a acquaintance from high school that happened to have an 18 hour layover here in Singapore. We were able to meet up, and I got to show her around Singapore, which was so much fun. Her husband then commissioned me to paint a series of three small paintings from their trip to Cambodia and Thailand for her Christmas present (shhh, don't mention it on FB! It is a secret!). I loved doing this because I had been to these places and could also connect with the locations - plus the husband is an excellent photographer, and has a great eye - which made my job much easier!

SOLD - Joo Chiat Icing

"Joo Chiat Icing"
SOLD
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This wonderful guy from the Joo Chiat area sold to a collector who came over for a studio visit on Friday. It was a fantastic way to start the weekend! This will eventually be traveling to Houston as a gift for her mother. I'm still hunkered down in the studio this week, painting away. I have a super busy fall coming up, so I'm just trying to get as much painted now as I can! Happy Hari Raya, if you are in the Sling!

All that Glitters - SOLD

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"All that Glitters"
SOLD
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This was a wonderful little break from the norm. One of my good collectors in the states wanted a fun painting, so this is for her!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 100

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"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 100"
6x16 Oil on Panel
SOLD
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Ahhh... the end feels so sweet. This, my friends, is the last of my 100 shophouses. Like I mentioned earlier, one of my favorite collectors has already purchased this guy. She got the first one and the last one, which makes me super happy. I've had so much fun with this series, and I will continue, but not quite the same way. Firstly, I'm still re-working some of my favorites from earlier in the series. Not all of them could be saved, but some of them are coming out really awesome, which makes me very excited. As for completely new shophouses - I still want to keep pushing the cropping and perspective angles that I've been working with. But as for the title - well, it's a little cumbersome. Can I just mention how tired I am of typing "Singapore Heritage Shophouse?" :)

Plus, one of my other collector's had a fantastic request. He wanted to know where the shophouses were, so from now on, the title will more or less be the address of the house. Maybe if I really know the right address I can even tag it in PaintMap or Blogger Location settings. It'll be a nice little chronicle of Singapore and how things change over time.

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 96 - SOLD

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"Singapore Heritage Shophouse Series No. 96"
6x6 Oil on Panel
SOLD
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This painting is of the top corner of a popular wine bar in the Club St. area of Chinatown. The wine bar is called Beaujolais. They have a fantastic happy hour, and my girlfriends and I have frequented it a few times, much to my the chagrin of my head the next morning...

And speaking of needing a glass of wine (or two or three!) Carol Carmichael's comment the other day really hit a nail on the head. When it rains, it pours, right? But my husband and I had a good talk this morning. There is no point in being stressed, especially when you have no control of the events swirling around you. Namaste, right? So, better to focus on the things you can control and just keep your head forward. So, I'm chugging along in the studio and really liking the work I'm doing right now. Chug, chug, chug, here I go!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 93 - SOLD

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"Singapore Heritage Shophouse Series No. 93"
6x6 Oil on Panel
SOLD
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We got back from our Christmas vacation to Sri Lanka on New Year's Day, and since then, I've been busy painting and catching up with laundry. Whew! These next couple of months are stacked, which is a good thing, but there is a lot going on!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 92 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse Series No. 92"
6x6 Oil on Panel
SOLD
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I know it is a little bit late in the week - but Happy New Year!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 90 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 90"
6x12 Oil on Panel - SOLD
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I loved, loved, loved doing this night scene in Chinatown. There was something so wonderful about the dramatic lighting and the shadows that they cast on the windows and doors. Plus, it looked pretty sweet in its gold frame. There is just something about these night scenes and a gold frame. They seem to just glow once they are in a frame. Yummy.

I know the past two posts I've had have been kind of down because of my camera. So I thought that I would mention something that made me super happy recently. One of my collectors has become a wonderful personal friend. She happened to buy Shophouse #1 at my show this spring. Then, at the Fair last week, she unknowingly bought #100 (which I haven't posted yet!). I'm just so happy that she got both of those paintings, as she has been such a fantastic supporter. Kind of neat that both the first and the last (supposedly last...) went to the same person, isn't it?

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 87 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 87"
SOLD
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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!

Emerald Hill #3

"Emerald Hill #3"
24x36 Oil on Canvas
SOLD
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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. 75 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 75"
SOLD
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Singapore has a very interesting relationship with the environment. For example, the island is on the equator, and it does turn into a jungle if left for any amount of time. Nevertheless, the government has cultivated a "garden city" image of endless orchids, palm trees and carefully landscaped shrubbery, giving the false impression of a good relationship with nature. But everything is so controlled that people never go camping, never go hiking (unless it is a guided path with lots of "Don't feed the monkeys!!!" signs on it), they never really experience the outdoors. Which, don't get me wrong, when compared to the woods we trekked through in New Hampshire as a child, the jungle here is pretty intimidating. Bugs are WAY bigger, and snakes are WAY scarier (think verticulating python).

Nevertheless, the government just amuses me. There is a flock of birds that have roosted in some trees on the most expensive shopping district in Singapore, Orchard Road. The birds moved their roost to Orchard after trees were torn down to build a parking garage (and thus more malls). Well, this situation has been deemed totally unacceptable, as they birds, heaven forbid, might be a bit loud. Or even worse, shoppers might wind up a casualty of a bird dropping! So, the government (in conjunction with the Wildlife Authority) is bringing in trained hawks to scare away the smaller birds to a new roost. The only concern? The hawks might turn wild and attack people! Sigh.

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 71 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 71"
12x6 Oil on Panel
SOLD

We are finally sleeping in our new apartment. I made sure to get my studio unpacked before everything else, so I am at least getting 1/2 days to paint. The rest of the time I'm trying to finish the unpacking for the rest of the house, meeting with the handyman to get things fixed, going grocery shopping, etc. Hopefully we will be fully settled in by the end of the week. Other than that, I am trying to get lots of painting done between now and the end of November. I signed up for the Goodwood Park Fair in both November and December, so I have my fingers crossed that I will be able to sell some paintings!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 70 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 70"

 

 

 

This weekend has been relaxing and hectic all in the same go. We move apartments next weekend, which normally in the US would be no big deal. You might hire a mover, or to save money just rent a truck for the weekend and pack it yourself. Or, if you have a lot of friends with trucks (and we have been one of those friends) you enlist the help of your benevolent friends' help with promise of payment in beer and pizza. Ah, the good old days.

Now, for better or for worse, any movement we make in Singapore is tied to an HR department. (Besides the face few people own cars, much less a nice, big, pickup truck!) You don't really realize how much freedom you are giving away by getting their "help" and support. So rather than having the ability to find a mover, or even make a decision, it takes a three day game of telephone between six people (usually three of which speak about three to five words of english) to figure out anything. It gets a little disconcerting when I've spoken to the owner of the moving company, Peter, and he says he'll come over for the estimate. Later that day, another gentleman, who is not Peter, shows up. Here is how our moving estimation progressed:

Him: "You move?"

Me: "Yes, when do you come to pack?"

Him: (points to washer/dryer) "Take, take?"

Me: "No, No. What day to pack?"

Him: (points to bed, fridge, other various items) "Take, take?"

Me: "No, yes, no, no, no, all this, look! Lots of items in closet. What day can we schedule?"

Him: (complete and total look of confusion, then a look of understanding and clarity) "Ah! 40 cartons, can, can-lah?"

Me: "Can, but what day?"

Him: "I call boss."

That, almost literally, was the entire extent of our conversation. Needless to say, it gets a little strange when everything has to go through HR, and I'm actually happier that I am packing our things. The boxes were delivered on Saturday (we get to pack ourselves, but we have people to carry the heavy stuff, yay!) and we are about 80% packed. This week is pretty busy, so I won't get much of a chance to paint, but I'll hopefully get some chance...

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 67 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 65"
6x16 Oil on Panel
SOLD

This longer panel is of a bright orange building down in the heart of Chinatown. In so many other cities and towns, this would be a vulgar, garish thing. It is literally Clemson orange with Chinese red trim and some aqua accents on the shutters. One of the most interesting combinations of colors I've ever seen, but it strangely works for the building. To be fair, it is next to a school but yellow with cobalt blue trim building, so it is in great company!

I thought you all would enjoy a "welcome to Asia" moment I had last night. Pictogram - FAIL. To make the context even more amusing, it was seen at a port-o-potty at the Swiss Club Oktoberfest event. So that meant a bunch of locals and Germans and Swiss in full Lederhosen. Locals in Lederhosen is definitely a sight to see. But back to the sign, even the Asia hardened people I know here were left unsure at the meaning! I think the best explanation we had was that you are not allowed to throw away carrots or spareribs, but you are allowed to throw away annual reports. However, you can only throw away annual reports when barefoot and when you are not smoking. Silly, I know, but so is the sign!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 66 - SOLD

"Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 65"
6x6 Oil on Panel
SOLD

This was a really cool scene in Chinatown after dark. I believe it was close to Temple St. The more I am working on these shophouses, the more I am having a lot of fun using the camera parallax to really warp, twist and accentuate the perspective in a way that enhances the mood.

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 59 - SOLD

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 59
6x6 Oil on Panel
SOLD

This more detailed view of a shophouse is a great example of how ornate the moulding gets around some of these houses. They not only paint them in different, fun colors, but the moulding will show phoenix, vines, flowers, and more. As a painter, it can be a bit overwhelming, but I did have a lot of fun with this one showing that bit of detail.

Emerald Hill Series #2 - SOLD

"Emerald Hill #2"
24x36
Oil on Canvas
SOLD

This painting is one of five that I am doing for a private commission. Emerald Hill is this great little conservation area in the middle of the HUGE shopping district, Orchard Road. Luckily, I was able to finish this early in the week before other life things took over...

I've spent the better part of this week with a friend in the hospital here in Singapore. I'm totally not a natural care-taker - in fact, I'm a lot like a bull in a china shop when it comes to stuff like that. Nevertheless, none of us have family over here, and a lot of my friends aren't married, so they don't have a spouse to come and help them out, which is no fun. It wasn't anything sudden, she just had to go in for a fairly routine surgery, but it required staying overnight for two nights after.

If I have learned anything from this experience, it is that I definitely want someone with me if I ever have to go into the hospital abroad, especially Asia. Firstly, they are incredibly tight-fisted with pain medication over here. My friend came out of her surgery and they wanted to just give her Panadol (Tylenol) and Naproxen (Aleve). Seriously? She just came out of surgery, and you want to only give her Aleve?!?! I think the nurses are also less educated and empowered than the ones in the US. Quite often I've met nurses in the US that are way more on top of things than the doctors themselves. Not so much here. Every medicinal decision required direct negotiation with the doctor, and not just my friends regular surgeon, but the anesthesiologist. Is it like that in the US? In any case, luckily, her anesthesiologist was awesome, and made sure that she got the appropriate pain meds. It just took several hours of bullying the nurses before they were convinced to get her involved. Oh well, you live and learn!

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 57 - SOLD

Singapore Heritage Shophouse No. 57
6x6 Oil on Panel
SOLD

This was one of my favorites - a scene from Chinatown at night.  I was super happy that it sold at the show, and went to such great homes.  

On a painting note, I'm not going to lie - I'm in a bit of a rut.  Life is getting in the way.  Last week was fantastic, don't get me wrong.  At one point we found a private beach that had a pony, and a three dog welcoming party that included the most beautiful yellow lab that wanted to play fetch.  It was amazing.  A beach with a pony.  A beach with no people, and stray (well, communal is a better term I guess) dogs.  

Paradise.  Beautiful, but not helping me paint.  We're having a huge 4th of July get together this weekend, so I'm trying to get things together for that, and then it takes a solid 2-3 days to get packed to be out of town for 3+ weeks.  So, painting has been pushed to the side for the moment, unfortunately.  Duty calls.  I'll still keep posting the work from the show, and hopefully I'll get to squeeze a day or two in here and there.  I hope everyone's summer is going well!