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Imago Mundi is a cultural, democratic and global project that looks to the new frontiers of art in the name of coexistence of expressive diversity – Luciano Benetton

Imago Mundi (Image of the world) was founded and strongly supported by Benetton Foundation, Italy.  imagomundiart.com

This idea of this project is to foster positive relation allowing active interaction amongst artists of all ages and levels, art communities and academics.

Inspired by the movement, three South East Asia’s established artists, Abu Jalal Sarimon of Singapore, A.Zaki Hadri of Malaysia and Antonius Kho of Indonesia decided to collaborate and continuing the project in their own country respectively.

With their motto “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”, they believe via collaboration within these three countries, true progress can be amplified for maximal effect. They hope that this Imago Mundi 3 Nations will move on to a much bigger platform, capturing entire Asia, Europe and beyond.

I

What a pleasant end to the year 2017 to see my artworks published in both CP Treasures 5 and Strokes of Genius 9!

Strokes Of Genius 9 – Creative Discoveries

Strokes of Genius was one of my most anticipated publication since the beginning of my career. It was my dream to one day have my artwork published in this collection.

I knew it will be a tough call since it is an all media juried selection. When I received the news that my piece “Of Time Long Past” was amongst 140 selected international artworks. Needless to mention that I was over the moon. This could be an one-off lucky strike but at least one of my dream was fulfilled.

CP Treasures 5 – Colored Pencil Masterworks From Around The Globe by Ann Kullberg

Having my art work included amongst the 120 pieces out of 838 entries is a huge deal for me as a colour pencil

I had totally forgotten about writing a blog on this one, how could I?? This was done way back in September 2016.

How large could I work with colour pencil? Never thought of it before and that got me thinking. To my ability, I figured that the largest I could go is about 40 x 30 inches max.

As for the subject, it needed to be something simple without too many detailed work. It could not be just a pretty painting, it has to have some substance to it. I was quite obsessed with rock pebbles at that time and naturally it became the perfect subject.

I went around for several days, to the beach and waterfalls, to get inspirations. But it was all in vain.  It was when I was almost at my wits end that a sudden image of rock pebbles in water with bubbles ‘appeared’ in my head. And I knew just

You must be wondering what on earth was I thinking picking a subject like this.

Well, I want to do something, using colour pencils, subjects that are not ‘normal’. If you have been following my style of artworks, you will notice that I tend to gravitate towards old worn out metal stuffs. It is both a challenge of testing my skills and the ability of this medium.

I got the idea when I was browsing through Pinterest, searching for some inspirational subjects. I came across a painting of some mysterious looking abandoned industrial machines painted in oil. And I was immediately drawn to it.

Now, where do I start searching for similar subject? Took me several days of drilling my memories to finally get the ‘Aha!’ moment. My husband’s mechanic shop. That’s it!!

I told my dear hubby of my intention and asked whether his mechanic will allow me to snap photos of engine

It has been two months since this exhibition but the memories were still fresh in my mind.

This exhibition was initiated by Solmaz Pessian https://www.facebook.com/SolmazArtStudio/  

and

Faramaz https://www.facebook.com/womansartbyfaramas/

both extremely multi-talented Iranian women. They have been residing in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia for several years now.

I was truly honoured to be included in this collaboration.

This is the first exhibition for Solmaz as a colour pencil artist and she is extremely passionate in what she does. Her goal is pretty similar to me, hoping that this medium will be taken seriously and that coloured pencil art is not child’s play.

Faramas is a fashion designer by profession who is gaining vast recognition locally. She has been actively showcasing her fashion works and exhibiting her artworks internationally.

Both Solmaz and Faramas planned and did all the ground work for this exhibition. I was not much of help because I live in Penang, a 4 hours

Looking at this subject, how can one see beauty in that? It is rusty, raw, edgy. What am I trying to proof with this subject matter?

Before I dwell further about the why, let me tell you how I ‘stumbled’ upon this chains.

As I was walking along the beach across my house, searching for inspirations, I came across this bulk of rusted chains. It was hanging down from a huge tree, camouflaged amongst the branches and leaves.

At a glance, it looked just like any other piece of junk. But somehow, something caught my eyes. Under the brilliant sun, something glittered. I looked through the view finder of my camera and I saw it. I was mesmerised by the textures and colours, nature’s work of art. The term ‘Wabi-sabi’ came to mind.

Wabi-Sabi represents a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that embraces authenticity over perfection. Characterised by asymmetry, irregularity, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty & intimacy, wabi-sabi values natural objects

Flowers are subjects that I rarely do.  Butterfly, this is a first.

I got a bit tired of the monochrome rusty metal parts(at the moment). I need to refresh. I want to use all those vibrant colours that I have. And also the black surface paper that I purchased quite some time back.

Armed with enthusiasm, I dragged my daughter along to the local butterfly farm, Entopia, just 10 minutes drive from my home. And guess what, since living here for over 10 years, it was my first time to that place and I fell in love with it.

This was done on a 244gsm, 54 x 39 cm (21.5 x 15.5 inches) Rasha, Takeo NT paper. The paper takes on the colours very well and it can really withstand the tremendous and multiple layering.

I also used all the best pencils that I have, Caran D’ache Pablos and Luminous for their luscious colors

Nascence – emergence,  coming out into existence for the first time.

The title speaks volume since this is my first ever piece of abstract art with colour pencils.

I received a personal invitation via email from Vera Curnow.CPSA,  the founder the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA)  back in March this year. She challenged me to take a break from my usual art style and submit an abstract piece for the  CPSA bi-annual To The Point (TTP) magazine June 2017 issue. She is featuring abstract art works with colour pencils and hoped to have more abstract representation in order to step up and reinforce the concept that coloured pencil medium is versatile.

Initially,  I was quite doubtful of my ability because even though I do appreciates some abstract art but it has never crossed my mind to venture into that genre of art.  But nevertheless, I gave it a try anyway and will

https://drawpj.com/sharon-kow-coloured-pencil-artist/

Sharon Kow – Coloured Pencil Master Artist

When I received a message on Facebook from Cindy Wider, co-founder of  DrawPj.com Art Education about an interview for her ongoing project,  I was speechless…. took me quite a while to digest it.

She explained that she is gradually gathering artists from around the world for this collection and that the artists she personally choose for this special project are selected based upon her opinion and after watching them for (sometimes several years) online.

After reading her detailed explanations, I was still unsure. Not because of who she is, it was me. I have never once thought myself as a master of anything because I still have so much to learn.

The interview questions brought back fond and sad memories and it took me almost 2 weeks to complete. All the answers that I have given came straight out within me, there are some things that many of my personal friends

Shard- a piece of broken ceramic, metal, glass, or rock, typically having sharp edges.

This  4th and final piece of my “Time” series showing all the dismantled parts of the clock haphazardly ‘dumped’ in the casing of the rusted clock. It depict the end of a life span, end of time.

This series, from the beginning to the end, is a metaphor of a person’s life, starting from the time when we begin to slow down physically and mentally till the end. Harsh it may seem but it is a reality. Aging is not something that people like to discuss nor talk about, but I beg to differ and that is why I chose this subject.

I have always enjoy listening to golden ager reminiscing their pasts. The faraway look on their faces when they talk about their past fascinates me, it is like watching a movie, all in