Friday, October 24, 2014

A Portrait of Icarus



I knew Sam while I was an art school student in San Francisco. At that time, he was trained to be a pilot in East Bay. Therefore, I had a chance to take his training airplane up to the sky, and fulfill my dream of being a pilot for several minutes. Unlike me, an introvert, he is an outgoing man of great enterprise. Though we have different personality, we went there for the same reason. Chasing our dreams.

當我在舊金山藝術大學當學生的時候,我認識了Sam,當時他在東灣區為了成為一個飛行員而努力。因此,我有機會乘坐他練習飛行的小飛機飛上天空,並滿足我當飛行員的夢想幾分鐘的時間。跟我這個內向的插畫家不同,他是一個外向而且樂於冒險的人。雖說我們個性不同,但讓我們來到灣區的原因是相同的:追尋我們的夢想!




This July, Sam told me that he wanted a portrait for himself as his 30-year-old birthday gift. Normally, I will turn down this kind of project because this is not what I am focusing on now. But first, he is my friend. And second, I missed the day I learned how to paint acrylic painting with our great teacher Kazu Sano. I took this project and met him in early August. We had lunch together in a very good Japanese restaurant in Taipei. While we were eating some delicious Sushi, we chatted with each other and discussed about what kind of portrait he wanted. He showed me Icarus painting from the famous painter Henri Matisse and joked about that it will be ok if I paint him like that.

今年七月,Sam告訴我說他想要一幅肖像畫做為他30歲的生日禮物。通常我不會接這樣的案子,因為與我現在專注的方向不同。但因為一、Sam是我的朋友。二、我很想念我當年在已經過逝的老師Kazu Sano課堂上畫壓克力顏料的時光。我接受了這個工作並與他在八月初見了面,想知道他對於這肖像畫的想法。我們在台北一家很小但很棒的日本餐廳吃午餐,一邊吃著壽司一邊閒聊。他給我看這張Matisse畫的Icarus,並開玩笑的說,就算我畫成這樣,他也可以接受!




After taking the photo, I started to think about what kind of the portrait I want to do. As an illustrator, I wanted to make it in narrative way(maybe I should call it Kazu's way). And I thought about Icarus. Why shouldn't it be a portrait of Icarus? In fact, both us are Icarus. We try as hard as possible to fly high. Don't care about falling! Because if we don't try, who knows how far we can go? I am glad that at least one of us reach the sky now.

當我為他拍完了一些參考用的相片後,我開始思考要如何讓開始這肖像畫。我想到那天午餐時聊到的Icarus。為什麼它不能是一張Icarus的肖像畫呢?事實上,我們倆都是Icarus。我們努力的拍動翅膀往想要的方向飛去,不在乎結果如何?畢竟我們如果不去努力去嘗試,怎知道我們能走多遠?至少很高興知道我們之中有人達到了一部份的目標!

So, it turned out this painting. I am happy that Sam like it, and expecting to see this painting soon when it is hung in Sam's new place. Now, let's end these words with a poem written by Anne Sexton:

所以很高興我在他生日的時候完成了這張畫,也很高興Sam並沒有嫌棄它!我很期待它掛在Sam新家的的樣子!現在用Anne Sexton寫的這首詩,來結束我的這段碎碎念:


TO A FRIEND WHOSE WORK HAS COME TO TRIUMPH

Consider Icarus, pasting those sticky wings on,
testing this strange little tug at his shoulder blade,
and think of that first flawless moment over the lawn
of the labyrinth. Think of the difference it made!
There below are the trees, as awkward as camels;
and here are the shocked starlings pumping past
and think of innocent Icarus who is doing quite well:
larger than a sail, over the fog and the blast
of the plushy ocean, he goes. Admire his wings!
Feel the fire at his neck and see how casually
he glances up and is caught, wondrously tunneling
into that hot eye. Who cares that he fell back to the sea?
See him acclaiming the sun and come plunging down
while his sensible daddy goes straight into town.


Monday, October 6, 2014

Spring


   
I always want to paint the topic "Four Seasons".  This year, thank my rabbits and my client. I had this chance to start this project. In spring, there is nothing better than a picnic under the cherry trees, isn't there? At least this is the best thing I can imagine in this season. A book, a cup of coffee, and some apples will be enough for me. Maybe a nap is even better! What is your favorite thing in spring? :)


我總是想要畫“四季”這個題材,感謝我的兔子們與我親愛的委託人讓我有這機會在今年開始它。我認為,一場在櫻花樹下的野餐約會是春天裡最棒的事了!一本書、一杯咖啡、幾顆蘋果或許已足夠!或許一個陽光下的打盹更棒!在春天裡,你們最愛的事物是什麼呢!:)




This painting is hung in Dr. Paul Chen's Family Clinic now. And there is a little change because of the client request. Can you find out where it is?


這張畫現在展示在陳柏宏親子診所的候診室,如果在台北生病需要看醫生有機會可以去欣賞一下!另外要說的是,完成圖因應客戶的要求,有小修改一下!有發現在哪嗎?



Friday, August 8, 2014

Thank you, dad!



Unlike United States, Father's day in Taiwan is in August 8th. It is because the pronunciation of 8 in mandarin is similar to "Pa". And "Father" in chinese is "爸爸". The pronunciation of 爸爸 is also similar to "Papa". Therefore, August 8th became Father's day in Taiwan.

Mother is someone who always gives me a hug at home. And Father is that man who supports me all the time. The memory that I was carried on the father's shoulder is still in my brain deeply. Thank you, dad! Thank you for letting me sit on your shoulder and see more things!

不同於美國,台灣的父親節是8月8日。我想,媽媽是可以永遠在家給我們溫暖的人。而爸爸,就是那個永遠支持全家的人。我永遠忘不了小時候坐在爸爸肩膀上的回憶,因為這樣,我可以看得比你更多與更遠。Thank you, Dad!


Monday, June 30, 2014

Goal?? You never know where a painting will take you to?




I did this painting because 2014 FIFA World Cup is in Brazil right now. I am not really a soccer fan. But every four years, I will turn on my TV (now is my computer) to watch this amazing soccer festival. This year, I thought that if I can paint some cute animals playing soccer would be a good idea.  Originally, I just want to make it simple and easy. In the end, this is what it becomes. I am not saying that this is a bad painting, or I didn't work hard enough. It is just different from what I expect. I remember I asked one of my fine art teacher once, "Do you know what your painting will become at the beginning?" "No." He gave me this answer instantly. A painting is always like an adventure. You never know where it will take you to. I was just  a little disappointed at the destination when I arrived. After one day, my feeling got better. I realized that my love and passion of the sport brought something in this painting. After all, you can't lie in your painting. On the other hand, I had fun and learned a lot in this adventure.  Some of my friends love it,too. So, why should I be frustrated? Just be happy & keep going~ Ok! I believe this is what will happen to every illustrator. (And I think there aren't many people reading this blog so I can write nonsense words like this.)

Now, let's enjoy rest of the soccer games in this world cup!!! 


我其實不是一個真正的足球迷。但每四年世界杯的時候,我都會打開電視機(現在是電腦,高速網路與HD畫質萬歲!第四台業者吃屎!)觀賞這盛會,畢竟國與國之間的對抗真的很刺激!今年決定讓這兩隻最近很愛的角色參與這場盛會,於是有了這張畫。起初我希望它可以簡單而可愛,而這是最後的成果。我並不是說這張畫不好,只是它與我原本的期望不同。我記得我在學校的時候問過一位Fine Art的老師:「你在開始畫一張畫的時候就知道它完成會是怎樣模樣嗎?」「不!」他很明確的回答我。我總覺得每張畫就是一趟冒險,在完成之前,永遠不知道它會帶你去哪?我想我只是對於最後的結果與自己想像不同感覺有點挫折。這感覺其實持續了一兩天,但轉念一想,就慢慢放下了。我想我對於運動的熱愛與堅持,帶給這張畫很多影響,畢竟你是沒辦法在畫中說謊。我在這趟冒險中,學了很多,也有著很多樂趣,很多朋友也喜歡它!我想我該滿足,並繼續往前走。好吧!我想這是每個畫畫的人都會遇見的事吧?(而且我想因為沒有很多人會看這Blog,所以我才可以在這胡言亂語)

所以接下來該做的就是,快樂的欣賞剩下的比賽嘍!!!


Sunday, June 1, 2014

Happy Dragon Boat Festival !



The Dragon Boat (or Duanwu Festival) is a traditional holiday occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese calendar. The focus of most celebrations involves eating zongzi (sticky rice treats wrapped in bamboo leaves), drinking realgar wine, and racing dragon boats. 


端午節我想大家都很熟悉,這邊我就不再說啦! ^^"




I find that I am enjoying in drawing and painting these cute animals recently. So, it comes to this image that two animals are racing dragon boats for zongzi. And it is also fun to design these dragon boats made by paper boxes. I hope you guys like it and have a good holiday in this weekend!


我發現最近很喜歡畫這些可愛的動物們 (大概之前畫太多人了),所以有這幅他們在草地上為了粽子賽龍舟的圖。而且設計這些紙箱做成的龍舟也是很有趣的一件事,希望大家喜歡啦!並祝大家端午節快樂!



Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Happy Mother's Day!!



I studied and worked in San Francisco for past 5 years. Because of this situation, the only thing I can do in these Mother's Days was giving my mom a call for greetings. I am so glad that I can be at home this time to celebrate this holiday with my Mom. Besides, this is the small painting I did for her. Thank you, Mom!

過去五年,我都在舊金山念書與工作。因此,每年的母親節,我唯一可以做的只是打電話與她說聲母親節快樂!今年我很高興我可以在家與她一起慶祝這個節日。而這張小圖是畫給我母親的小禮物!謝謝您,媽媽!



Monday, January 20, 2014

About Marriage





These are the drawings I did for my friend's wedding invitation card.






And finally I got it!! I have to say it looks great!!