Illustration of a Poem

I illustrated the poem as an assignment for Wayne Harris's picture book workshop at a final week at WestWords. First, I played around colours and composition. “Fresh! So fresh!!” Wayne gave me very positive feedback to the bee. He used my rough to explain about the features of watercolour painting and printing. Second, I put a curious boy in the illustration. Here we go!

Bee! I'm expecting you! Emily Dickinson

Bee! I’m expecting you!
Was saying Yesterday
To Somebody you know
That you were due—
The Frogs got Home last Week—
Are settled, and at work—
Birds, mostly back—
The Clover warm and thick—
You’ll get my Letter by
The seventeenth; Reply
Or better, be with me—
Yours, Fly.

Re the second image, below, Wayne praised at the boy’s body language, composition and light. Then, he suggested me not to put too much information and reduce blue in a sky, when I would illustrate this boy. Wayne defined an appropriate target group age setting, 6 to 8 years children, middle age. Little children will not be able to understand why the bee looks bigger in the foreground, while the boy is smaller in the middle ground. Also, in my rough, I put colours on only the necessary area, around the boy's face.  Thus, this image well sends the message of the poem and the curiosity of the boy. Wayne liked this style. 

Thank you very much, Wayne Harris! Each student enjoyed his feedback. He taught us with care and kindness. It's so useful to join workshops run by such established and experienced artists.

This class will keep up friendship and study about picture book workshop, regularly, at WestWords. I’ll learn more. Many people, publishers and the acclaimed give sweet comments on the bee's image on my facebook. Thank you. 
You, too, enjoy illustration and life! 
Friends, Happy Painting!

Illustration of a Poem

An Old Building, Nostalgia

I sketched an old house with a character in Sydney Sketch Club meeting. I love the smell/sounds of ordinary people' life. Nostalgia and good old days remain in a backstreet. It's fun to imagine what sort of history she has whilst sketching. A tenant, a lady proudly talked to me that how fabulous this creaky building. I've been collecting these old houses images for references for my picture book illustration. 

I thought of "The Selfish Giant," during the sketching. It's sad that children's merrily voices are disappearing from streets, nowadays. Children and adults are addicted to tiny mobiles or lap tops. When I teach children at school, oh, their games, shouts, screaming, songs, voices are certainly there, on a play ground! They sound very warm, which remind me of a spring and flowers. Oscer Wild's idea is superb, the connection between seasons and the existence of children, which empowers children. In this sketch, I was thinking where to set my characters, children. 

I hope my sentimental attachment to old buildings will NOT end up nostalgia. I hope healthy children's games will remain forever in society. Me, too, do not want to cling to social media or a computer. I want to create drawings and paintings. Papers are calling me! I feel it. That's a good day. Btw our projects are ongoing. 

Friends, happy painting and enjoy sunshine. 

An Old Building, Nostalgia

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sketch Club

Brave Sydney Sketch Club members enjoyed a meeting in Milsons Point despite in a cold and patch rain. Milsons Point is called a hundred million dollar view that has Sydney Harbour Bridge, opera house, a wharf, City, Luna Park and etc. This is the Harbour Bridge from the bottom angle. I played with colours. "Have your own colours," (a psychologist, a source unknown) is my favourite say. A high humidity helped wet in wet.  

One member beautifully included the bridge, the opera house etc above in a clever work. We all did hats off to her at a cafe, uttering, "Ahhh, ohhh, whaa"! So, with respect, I sketched that member across a table, below. The kind and humble member gave me a sweet compliment on the sketch. Not me, it was her ; she was an amazing artist! Each member chose an interesting spot and a view. All of us enjoyed socialisation and looking around other's great efforts in sketches. Group activities are wonderful. Mutual encouragement is so nice. Our group is closed on net = don't need to worry about exposure. Any subject will do. It's up to each member.  

The projects are steadily ongoing, which include the workshop for children at Eastwood Library. Sydney Sketch Club always gives me a break, refreshing and an experimental attempt. I've been searching for my own colour use in landscapes, apart from realism. This Harbour Bridge sketch may give me a clue to find who I am. I'm not ashamed of my messes in sketches. Of course, sometimes, I feel a bit embarrassing to show them in "show and tell" in a sketch club. But it's the process of growing as an artist. I appreciate members' cheers and encouragements. 
Friends, Happy Painting and Enjoy Friendship with same heart people. 

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sketch Club

Workshop for Children at Eastwood Library

Hi, kids, let's have fun in spring school holidays in City of Ryde! I’ll run a watercolour painting workshop.
When: Wednesday 3 October 2018
Where: Eastwood Library, Time: 10.30 - 11.45am
Ages: 8yrs+ , Cost: $10.00, Online Booking :
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/childrens-watercolour-workshop-ages-8-yrs-only-tickets-48636850128
Do you want to play with crayons, salt, bubble wrap and watercolour paints? If so, come over Eastwood Library.   

Ryde Council has more fun events for you! Here, we go! 
Thank you very much for the librarian team. Ryde Council uses "My Dog Socks" images for the posters and online. 
See you there! 

Workshop for Children at Eastwood Library

My Dog Socks on three states Premier's Reading Challenge Book

"My Dog Socks" is now on three states Premier's Reading Challenge Book Lists : Queensland, NSW and South Australia!
Thank you very much, Friends, your support, author Robyn Osborne and Daddy Paul Collins at Ford St Publisher. Very happy. I will keep up. 

My Dog Socks on three states Premier's Reading Challenge Book

Spring

We're in spring. Plum trees are full bloom. Full of life and joy. I used them in the last class in  school teaching. Children were delighted. We totally enjoyed sketching them. I've been working on three projects, paper work and another project just came in and was approved. Soon, I will post news following. I hope I will keep on. I have nothing, but can offer sweat and perseverance. 
Btw plum blossoms remind me of cherry blossoms in Japan. In my facebook, many people have loved that work. Thank you so much. 
Friends, Happy Painting! Enjoy life fully!! 

Spring

Let's Seize the Day

Luck is not luck, I feel in fine art and publishing industry. Build it and use it = Seize the day. 
Two years ago, I found Columbian Press at TAFE college in the City, when I was studying the "Art Marketing" course suggested by Accessible Arts NSW. The course was a first attempt and temporary set. All students, emerging or mid career artists were selected from various art areas. We learned about strategy, planning, use of social media etc or marketing from A to Z. Great course! Today, most of the plan I set is coming true step by step. I've learned the importance of panning. *This video shows how to use the hand press. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofMJ6NcEM58

Another bonus is that WestWords has fallen love with my sketch of the Columbian Press.  When WestWords and I had a meeting about the illustration of primary school children's writings, the staff accidentally noticed my sketch of the Columbian Press in a sample work folder. Newly born WestWords was searching for the emblematic image of literature and publishing industry. A fresh, unique, yet permanently symbolic image for WestWords' new office. Then, my sketch won their heart! We made a contract of my commissioned work. The developed art work has become a permanent collection at a stairwell, as you know. My story sounds like all lucks. *This is the original image and sketch. I sketch something all the time. My mentor calls me, "You don't waste time." 

But if I turned down Accessible Arts NSW's kind advice, did I make it? 
If I just passed by the press without sketching, could I get this chance? 
If I excluded the sketch from the folder, could I get that contract? 
It looks like luck, but it's not luck. All the time, keeping an antenna high and well preparing are essential. It often needs courage, because it takes a risk, too. It sounds tricky though, luck might visit us quite equally. The point is if we seize it or not. Once, our psychology lecturer celebrated my work and added, "I do not say good luck. It's not good luck." Close friends call me a "Very hard worker" and that's all. Make the most of the present moment, I try and appreciate a third party's support.  *This image 2.8m x10,45 m covers the stairwell. 

Now, three projects have been occupying me. Busy. Yesterday, I submitted 9 images that included the hand press image for new ASA Stylefile designed to reach out quality Australian Illustrators. It will come up in Sep. Last year, I became one of the illustrators mostly visited from all over the world. Thank you very much, Friends, ASA and CAL Fund! Your strong support allows me to go forward. 
Friends, just do it before the present will be gone! My accumulated sketches are great references and good art work. Thank you for reading. 
Happy Painting!

Let's Seize the Day