Wowie,Wowie! What a month it's been! I was actually hoping for good things this year,but at the same time,had some trepidation about my upcoming birthday. I will be 35 this year...the big 3 5 and I still have a lot to prove for myself and so many things still left unfinished and unsettled. A lot on my bucket list to tick off and so forth. But after all of this,I can now really say that it's been a very wonderfully birthday month for me. Not only was I shown the love and care by my family,friends and loved ones,but also a few dreams and hearts' desire have been met in such a short span of time. And feels like the good times will continue to keep on rolling. Thank you God for that! For the most part,it's been so good to be able to make time to catch up with family and friends with good eats and treats,but a lot of unexpected but good surprises made their way to me along the way. Oh my oh my....
To begin with, I had never in my wildest dream imagined that I'd get to own and work with a real bonafide Cintiq at my work station at the studio. That in itself was unreal. Thank you so much to my bosses,ED and Zeno for dropping this wonderful package on my lap right after my birthday weekend. Woo Whee!!! I am sooo gonna up my game and churn out better art! This was on top of their already generous streak to give me extra gifts on top of this one....I am so unworthy....
In-between my already hectic and busy work,study and training schedule...I was approached by Gavin towards end of last year to participate in his first art gallery exhibition here. That in itself was already too awesome to believe. I've always wanted to & dreamed of participating in an exhibition. Now this was my first chance to tick another one off my bucket list. Mind you,it was sheer slog and non-stop sacrifices to ensure that the artworks made it out in time,in spite of my blunders and requiring and extended deadline to actually get something decent out for the remaining artworks. Just so very thankful that the photographer and organizers seems to like it enough to want to showcase them in the installation.
Here's a sneak peek of some of the artworks I will be submitting for the showcase. Hope y'all dig it.
I've been wanting to get this zombie graphic novel out for some years now but it never seemed fully fleshed out,not up till now after some extensive research and development done. I can now honestly say that I have something solid in my belt to confidently want to begin production on it,hopefully as soon as am able to. Anyhoo,the first ever page will go o sale for the exhibition itself. I'm pretty pleased with the result although of course am hoping that the style will evolve for the better once I get a better footing and handle on things.
Graveyard. I hear a rumor that our last Sumatran Rhino had just passed away recently. So as of now,it is virtually extinct in Malaysia. The last few surviving ones now only reside in the Kalimantan region. It hit me right in the gut in the most awful way. I needed to make a statement.
This particular piece is called "Tyger" (inspired by William Blake) and was definitely a labor of love in churning this one out. I had gone through 2 weeks of tremendous torture and stiff neck pain when painting this piece,stroke by stroke. But am so thankful that it came out well,better than anticipated and I dedicate this to my loving dad,Stewert, and also to the great Sir David Attenborough.
This piece I dedicate to my American bro,Eric. I've actually planned to draw a bunch of dogs sniffing at his butt in the most intrusive fashion,ergo the term "Ke Poh Chi' in Hokkien. But after some discussion with Gavin,we agreed that it lacked some Malaysian elements. Although I agreed to provide some form of Penang architectural backdrops to the piece...I've decided to change the entire layout and set it indoors in a family environment in a Peranakan House. Within this piece, you will see some familiar faces in my life...namely my pets. My favorite dogs : Venus the Pug,Agassi the Spitz mixed,Truffles the long haired dachshund,Samson the black stray dog my dad had rescue from a mamak stall in KL where he worked...and finally,my current kitty cat pet,Kameko Tsukiji. The only cat seen sitting on the family wooden seat,looking miffed,surrounded by so many pooches.
I really wanted to touch on gaming for one of the submissions as online gaming has been a big part of my life growing up,even now. So for this piece,I dedicate it to all of my online gaming friends,both here and abroad.
I love nature. Malaysian jungles/rainforest for one, are particularly breathtaking and beautiful. Was trying to capture the idea about Humans as Trees,being varied with so many different quirks and characteristics to each of them. The ones who blossom and grow,the ones who remain stunted,the ones who only drag others down with it and zapped out all the life from others,the ones who represent the core strength and foundation of a living ecosystem and sustains many other lives with it and so forth. But in the end,everyone of them rely upon the sun and water for life. To deny it is to die and be drawn back to dust.
This was the other big and unexpected treat my bosses dropped on me. Oh my goodness,oh my goodness! That's another huge scratch off my bucket list. Would never have dreamed of seeing and being in the presence of Pete Docter and getting to meet Ronnie again in such a setting. This was too awesome for words. I am humbled.
It was just a grand and enjoyable day for all. One I shall treasure a lot.
Love this pic of Ivan and Joey being so sporting as to do a 'silly pose' for the platter shot.
Our order of Antipasti Platter at Limonella? At least,that's what I can recall of the restaurant's name. The location and company is by far the best thing about dining at the place. The food was unfortunately far below our expectations,but I can't complain. Thank you to Ed for the wonderful treat! Twas a spectacular day and I got to meet and greet a lot of familiar faces and friends again. ^__^ Real nice to be let loose on a lovely weather sort of day such as this.
And last but not least,I just got home from another wonderful treat with my food partner in crime,Viv...who had been so patient with putting up with my crazy work schedule to pry me loose and get me out for a dinner at an Italian joint nearby my place. Like I said,it's been a thoroughly wonderful month by far and one I sincerely hope,will continue to be great for a long time more.
Cheers folks and hope you will have a grand month ahead too!
