Saturday, December 28, 2019

Hello 2020! What's in Store for me?


Wrapping up year 2019, the end of another decade, with an artwork, a video, and pluses!

Let's welcome 2020 with a clear vision, soundness of mind, and lots of delicious creativity, YES!



Don't forget to un-stare into the "occult devil's" eye, you'll be hypnotized! LOL


I made this baby using acrylic gouache from a very popular art medium brand, which came out of the art closet recently. Gouache, pronounced gwash, is an opaque watercolor-like medium that you can still blend and sashay away even when it has dried. Gouache can be great on painting flat areas and some articles say that the colors brilliantly reflect very well when the art work is digitally scanned. I have to agree because since the finish is matte or satin, the light won't reflect back to the scanner or digital camera when the artwork is documented. It's quite similar to the cheaper (hence popular) poster paint, a creamy paint we used back then when I was studying art (as if I stopped learning more about art!) I remember my art teacher taught us to seal the poster paint with clear nail polish to prevent them from getting wet or eaten by pests. Some of my old work sacrificed themselves for me and got eaten alive, sadly. Cockroaches and rats love the smell of poster paints, watercolor, and even gouache because of the sweet smelling binder, gum Arabic. Maybe because it's a...gum?!



Why don't you buy me some love! 




 or a hug?


But let's talk about this delicious acrylic-gouache combination from this very mysterious art brand. The acrylic gouache both have the same properties of acrylic and gouache: it dries matte or satin finish with color brilliance like a gouache while paint setting is permanent like an acrylic. WIN-WIN situation for me as I missed working with gouache but had quit using it because of impermanence. Curse permanence and archival quality! There is only now, this moment, to celebrate! This is the time of right-nows, todays, and instants.



Say YES to success! already


and to classy-ness right now!

So going back to the acrylic gouache, I really like the gritty texture it creates on paper. The texture it creates has more personality (+ diva attitude) than watercolor and acrylic combined. Am I going to use this acrylic gouache permanently? Not yet, because the price is sooo expensive for a single bottle 2 US fl oz bottle from that luxurious art brand name. But you know what, as they say, you GET what you PAY for. If you want an UNICORN, then expect to lay some GOLDen eggs.





"Beginnings" acrylic gouache, watercolor, pen, and pencils on paper


Let me know your experience with acrylic gouache through the comments! What brand are you using?





Tuesday, December 24, 2019

A Christmas wish


Completed a full cycle of western living beginning from fall to winter. It's Christmas! So far it's been fabulous, full of surprises and journeys.



Pondering on the direction of my art and career this coming new year. 
Will the Chinese New Year, a year of the rat, bring me exciting and fun new projects? What's in store for dog, cat, sheep, pig, or dragon? After the Epiphany and Boxing day, surely we'll be moving forward.  



I'm feeling more blessings, abundance, love, good health, kindness, and special gifts




"Caroling" watercolor, gouache, acrylic ink on watercolor paper
My 2019 Christmas card original art given to my ever patient and very generous publisher