Roses

Another 3 hour exercise in class... bigger strokes, think in masses...still having trouble seeing true color and getting exact tones... so much to learn and practice...

Flowers

Two hour exercise in class... I learn not to paint too meticuluously... have fun with colors and big strokes... and paint like a rich man!!!

Fall Trees

Out door class... in Lacy Park... 3 hour exercise in plein air...

Sunflower

Still life in class... another 2 hour exercise... never know when you are finished, but the teacher is training us just to paint freely and not think too hard... done!

Colorado Bridge, Pasadena

Done in a 2 hour setting once again... first outdoor experience... plein air experience...

Lessons with Laurie Hendrick - South Pasadena local artist

Haven't painted for almost a year... it's nice to get back...

Patterns

Patterns in architecture... Look, for instance, at the stairs, windows and other repeated geometric shapes here. Paintings of buildings are more powerful if you remember to look for the patterns of abstract shapes. I really had a good time with the quickness of this medium and the abstract style of this piece... I think I am realizing my style.

Precious Time

Moments are precious... every moment is precious...this is a moment in time that was captured in May 15, 2005. As I browsed through my box of photos for inspiration, I found this picture I took of my children sitting on a bench on a Sunday afternoon at an outdoor mall while waiting -what a beautiful moment it'was! What a nice feeling of brother and sisterhood... this was a precious "GameBoy" moment for the two of them! Oh, Boy! they sure grow fast...too fast that I must capture these precious moments quickly...

Port en Bessin

The wonderous of color and texture... I have learned to see different levels of tone in colors and make use of color to tell a story in my art work... the strokes of the brush give a different feel each time I paint it on the canvas...so much discoveries...art is just so fanscinating!

My Girl

The subject is my girl Natalie... sweet, kind, and thoughtful. She likes art...music..., loves nature too. She is my inspiration to this painting... her colorful personality- always carefree, bright and cheerful.

Thanksgiving in Sedona & Phoenix

After leaving Arizona for 10 years, we brought the kids and grandparents to revisit. It brought back lots of beautiful memories.

Thanksgiving 2007 visit to Arizona.

Our family trip to Arizona this 2007 Thanksgiving was a very meaningful trip. This place is not only a birthplace for Lawrence and Natalie, but it was a place where the beginning of plenty of beautiful things for all of us. Our present is such a gift, and our rich history started at this memorable place -Arizona. This is the place where David and I first met, my family-James and my parents once lived-for less than 2 years, David and my first jobs, our first house since we got married, then, our first self-designed-custom-built home and of course, the beginning of our 2 kids.

After leaving Arizona for 10 years, we were due to revisit. We first visited Sedona and then Phoenix. My impression of Arizona now is that it's more than just sunshine and desert land. In Sedona, the towering red rocks is most astounding! Although, I had remembered the red rocks being more red - did the global warming had something to do with it? Sedona was mesmerizing, because of it's natural surrounding, the mini canyons allowed one to let go of oneself and just imagine... the formation of the canyons makes one think of "snoopy, Indian council meeting, palms, coffee pot,court house, bell...and many more." The Sedona's awesome inspiring landscape helps one connect with nature in a deeply personal way - relaxation is what you would gain at this breathtaking place. In the morning, we took the Sedona Jeep Tour, this scenic and historic tour was very educational for all of us. The rugged 4x4 jeep took us on an adventure to the rim of the canyon and from there we learned so much more of this natural ground from our tour guide. In the afternoon, we visited the old town where we experienced the rich Southwestern art and culture. I think if we had another day, Sedona is a really ideal place to go for a hike too. We had a very pleasant stay at the Sedona Rouge Resort and Spa.

After a one night stay and a full day tour in Sedona, we headed to Phoenix. We visited our Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale home. Stayed at Biltmore Resort, it was a pampering place to stay, Hyatt at Gainey Ranch still had the most beautiful cactus garden ever and Phoenician had the best Sunday Brunch ever!!! We met up with some old friends and visited our relatives in Chandler too, needless to say, we felt so blessed to have good friends and family.

Overall, my impression of Phoenix is that it is a hip and stylish city. The architecture can really speak for itself. The city is of full of spirit and energy. The people are kind and relaxed. Tempe - the college town - feels young and vibrant. You can obviously see why this city won its title as the best run city in the country, the streets and airports are well-organized and spacious. There are beautiful green lawns and lush landscapes planted in this well-planned community city. I was surprised with how lush it can be, seeing the full bloom surrounding, it was colorful. Everything in AZ was in a grander scale, the street signs are bigger and clearer, the hotel resort pools come in multiples, the buildings are not tall but big and wide, the shopping malls are spacious and the ceilings are high. I would describe Scottsdale Tempe, & Phoenix - the "New Age" city -youthful, energetic, innovative and modern.

It's a short 4 day trip, but a real sentimental one, we reminisced the old and discovered some new. The kids echoed how much they would like to go back again. WE are so blessed to have this chance to bring grandparents and the children to visit Arizona. It was certainly a very meaningful trip!

J

Natalie's Art Work

My Spatial World

Artwork In Progress

My First Acrylic Painting

THE RICHEST BLESSINGS ABIDE WITH YOU!!!

"Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5 NIV

One Evening

This is one evening, as I sat in the living room with my children while they were busy working on their school work... I picked up my paper, and paint brush... and before you realize it, in less than two hours, everyone's work is done and it's time to go to bed! What a one nice evening...

Lawrence

The subject is my 13 year old son Lawrence. He likes music - listens to pop songs and plays his clarinet in school band. He is the inspiration to my art piece. He enjoys cooking and has a really good sense of taste, smell and texture when it comes to food!

Summer 2007

Summer is always fun: Johnny, Lawrence, Natalie & Cindy at Pier 39

Mi Amores

Inspired by Picasso's artwork, and cubism... I played around with shapes and colors in watercolor. I did a quick sketch which turned out to be a fun piece of painting.

Stepping out of my box!

This 2007 summer, through my encounter with Eileen Chan - a reknown artist in Hong Kong, I started this blog - a collection of my personal ideas and art work! Thanks to her, she encouraged me to pursue my interest and to show it off!!!! She reminded me to step out of my box, bring out my creativity, bring it on to another level and so I can be passionate with what I do. I am inspired by her determination and her creativity. Art is my passion. This is the beginning of my blog!!! Thank you so much 師父- Cifu.

My first color oil paintings

My tone paintings

Freedom to Express!!!

T'was October of 2006... weeks before turning 40... Lauri M. made a comment that made me ask myself "why wait? - give yourself the permission to alot time for yourself- treat it as your therapy!!! It's worth it, and you are worth it!!!" This is how I started to take the art classes and paint. Thanks pal Lauri for your encouragement...and thank you hubby Dave for being always so supportive with everything I do...