Thursday, 29 January 2009
Closing Down Shoutbox
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Treasure Map
Media : Acrylic on Canvas
Year made : 12 January 2009
"Whatever we want to be, whatever we want to do, we can do it, because we can. Go ahead, take that first step-just do it. The best of luck to you, and have fun along the way" Richard Branson
The above description is philosophical view of a father looking at his sons' drawing. It is rather more amusing to listen to the artists' (Azhan & Nine) plain, simple, straight-forward explanation than complicated view of an adult. All I can say is, "Enjoy and have fun in the journey."
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Monday, 19 January 2009
Pattern Home
Media : Acrylic on Canvas
Size : 40.6cm x 50.8 cm
Painted by : Azhan
Edition : Original
Status : Available
The painting is based on Azhan’s earlier school work. He said it was based on a famous painter but he couldn't remember who it is and neither can I.
Instead of transforming the same pattern onto the canvas we decided to carry on the “Dream home” theme. So Azhan decided to draw a series of simple houses. Some with chimney and some without. Azhan insisted on following the exact colour composition like he did at school even using the gold colour!
He has now learnt how to control the paint by following the colour lines. However, the brush stroke of the line colour is left as rough as possible by being flexible on the colour line thickness.
Thru this exercise he had learnt the variety of colour combination and compositions. Unlike his earlier school work where pastel colour was used, this acrylic-based painting creates more exciting colour transformation whenever his brush mix with different colour in the line. I tried not to impose on a perfect colour line instead taught him on better hand coordination.
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Saturday, 17 January 2009
Chop Yang Hilang
Theme : Still life
Media : Watercolour on paper
Size : 59.4 x 42.0 cm
Painted by : Fadzlan Rizan Johani
Description:
"Chop" is a Malay Village traditional sharp pointed metal put on a hardwood and used to peel out the coconut skin. When the skin is peel out then only the coconut could be cut into two and abstract of coconut.
However "Chop Yang Hilang" (the missing "chop") is reflecting the missing "chop" in the picture. As you can see the only part left on the traditional simple machine is the hardwood where the "chop" should be.
Around this equipment were a lot of coconuts. All the coconuts are old and dry. Some of the coconut even grow on one tree and soon will produce more coconuts. Without the "chop" these coconut could not be processed and left to rot.
Right on the top of the picture is a few bricks left abandon. The amount of bricks laying around don't seem enough to build a house thus left useless.
In simple chronology the "chop" is represents scenario of losing someone who are very important for us or in society. The important person might be our father or mother, our boss, our teacher, our prime minister or simply our beloved one.
There is someone in our life that we need so much and depend on to turn us into useful person. Our parents are important figure who bring us up to become "Insan" (good people). The great teachers are those who teach us vast knowledge as part of preparing us for the real world. With our best skills and knowledge we'd then be discovered by our bosses. Even in the context of a country a strong Prime Minister is needed to use all the necessary resources (labour, materials, land, etc) in order to build up a country.
Without these important figure, "chop" in our life the transformation might not be possible. It would be a devastating lost and we would not be able to discover our best potentials hidden beneath our mind which is the main ingredient of the recipe for improving our life and others. The country could not be built if the people lost their country's visionary and unable to take part in building it. Lastly, we may be dependent to stand on our own but then there are plenty of instances where one loses oneself (represented by losing "chop") once he lost his mind and trapped between reality and fantasy hence become insane.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Azhan & Nine's Plates
The unique feature about this plates is that even though they were made by the same person, somehow they are very distinctive from one another as if they represent the individual character of the beholder’s name.
by: Bed of Roses
Friday, 9 January 2009
DREAM ISLAND
Several ways or techniques had been experimented in the process of creating this painting. In this "Dream Island" I was only the "colour coordinator" as I let my sons to freely express themselves. They got to choose their own colours but I would add a few extra bit of different colour for them to mix directly on the canvas. This perhaps would make the colours more vibrant and playful and at the same time teach them about the colour wheels.
Azhan did a very good job in drafting the outline drawing before they started painting on the canvas. He sketched spontaneously on the canvas using pencil. He has already developed eyes for details and added "tiny" detail which I bet he would have difficulty to paint later on. Just name things you'd see in a city and you'd be amazed to find that playground, school, fun-fair, airport and even a mosque, had all been squeezed in this tiny paradise island. Now, that's an intricate eye for detail for a 7-year old boy.
The Dream Island looks more interesting with the presence of smaller island with a light house built on and another island with house on it. Azhan drew them as he knows that a light house is needed to sending out signal to the ships heading for the island. He had even thought of linking the small islands together but forgotten to link it to the main land.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Nine is 6 today!
by: Bed of Roses
Monday, 5 January 2009
MALAY LACEWING
Media : Watercolour on watercolour paper
Butterfly is going to be one of the beautiful insects to be included in my next series of painting. However, before I begin to make an abstract form of butterfly painting, I believe I should first study on the different species of this lovely creature first. My study may not include all the species but at least it’ll focus on the type of butterflies that will be featured in my scenery painting.
Among the butterflies that I would consider to be included in my study is Malay Lacewing. It is chosen simply because the butterfly carries the word "Malay" in its name. It is quite fascinating to find species by the name of Malay as synonym by people of Malaya. Furthermore the Malay Lacewing has very "brave" yellow, orange and red colour. The white "V" shape on the end of the wings also looks familiar to me like some Malay motif or pattern. Maybe our ancestors have a good eye on studying nature.
To colour this drawing, I started off with the yellow. And the final colour to be added is black. I learn that these black patches play a very significant role in pushing out or giving an extra brightness to the yellow. How fascinating! Then I try to colour the black first and leave yellow as the last colour to be added on. Even with only black colour on it, it still appears stunning. It is an extraordinary feeling to see the cosmic beauty of God’s creations even in small insects.
Genus: Cethosia Fabricius, 1807
Species: hypsea Doubleday, 1847
Subspecies: hypsina C. & R. Felder, 1867
Saturday, 3 January 2009
STOP THE WAR !!
Do your part in stopping war by copy the URL poster in your blog
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3162321299_8c048f54e4_m.jpg
Friday, 2 January 2009
RUMAH DI TENGAH BENDANG
Status : Available
Size : 51.0 x 40.5 cm
Painted by : Azhan, Nine, Fadzlan
Year made : 08 October 2008
Edition : Original
Theme : Dream House
Media : Acrylic & Tempera on Canvas
Description : Living in an oasis Island in the middle of golden and green paddy field.
The above painting is called "Rumah di tengah Bendang" or A house in the middle of paddy field. This is one of our early attempt to create a painting together. My children had inspired me with their scribbled artwork. They helped me to bring back the joy and happiness in making a painting.
I had actually done the first layer of this painting on my own but soon discovered that I was too afraid and constraint myself with rules for perfection. I was not satisfied with the result and so asked my boys to improvise the artwork.
The sky looks more dramatic thanks to Nine's touch. He followed my intention but has a free and spontaneous flow on his stroke.
Azhan had reduced the detail on the trees and made the house just as simple as it is.
I still keep my original smooth brush stroke on the paddy field.
"Yesterday is but today's memory, tomorrow is today's dream." Kahlil Gibran (1883 - 1931)
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Thursday, 1 January 2009
The blooming love
This year, I would try to make a sketch or any study of art on a daily basis. The series of sketch study is aimed at improving my art foundation and skills. I hope it could then be used towards preparing my on going painting series.
On the night of new year's celebration, I'd sketched this simple brush and rose as a warm-up. The idea is about growing a Rose from the brush which symbolises the love for paintings that grows and blooms again.
To all my friends and visitors I hope you enjoy this picture and your constructive comments are very much welcomed.
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Let the expedition begins!
I could vividly recall the moment when I started to fall deeply in love with art. It was on one fine day when I came home from school and saw my dad's brother there. After getting changed, I pulled out my homework and worked on the one that excited me most; portrait of my parents. The drawing that I made must have somehow attracted my uncle cause not long after that, he came to me and asked me to show him what I was working on. He then said that he could help me with my homework. He asked me any picture of my parents for him to use as reference. Soon after, he started to sketch something that eventually turned out to look exactly the same as the photo.. his sketch looked like a portrait drawn by professional artist. That was the very moment when I started seeing art as something beautiful. I was absolutely amazed by his talent and somehow felt that I could do the same, because at the back of my mind I kept thinking that if my uncle could do it so could I or so I thought.
This new found hobby started to influence my decision of becoming a painter when I grow up. So determined was I that I proudly write 'painter' in my school report book as my first ambition. Somehow or rather it all changed when one day we went up to my uncle's place. As far as I could recall, his home was a poorly maintained flat to live in compared to the terrace house we lived in. My uncle's place reminded me of my first year living in KL. We were forced to live in "setinggan"(slum) residential in Bukit Belacan with poor facilities that we had to endure with, which was far worse than the living condition in my "kampung". Upon learning my uncle's condition, I said to myself, I don't want to go through the same difficulties again and began to wonder why he didn't make any paintings? He's got great talent. But soon after I learnt that he didn't work as a painter because it is even harder to make a living as a painter.
The reality of becoming a painter which I'd just discovered struck me to think, "If one could hardly earn money as a painter, where on earth could one get the money to even make a painting?" My ambitions to be a painter came in second place then. Despite this new fact of becoming a painter didn't make me less in love with art. I still love making paintings. It was as if it is already in my blood, I could simply feel it inside me. I spent most of my times doing paintings. I wouldn't trade my heart with something else ever. If it was traded, it would feel as though someone is taking all my toys away from me. Now what should I put as my first ambition in the school report book then? I couldn't make a living by becoming a painter (but now with good advertisement and promotion, painters could actually earn good dosh) and I could end up living back in the slum. I don't know how or who inspired me to become an architect! My innocent mind thought that I could be rich by being an architect and this wealth then could financially sponsor my hobby; painting. I even thought that I could make as many paintings as I like. And the best thing about being an architect is that there would be a lot of drawings to do and this could be fun too...I wonder who planted me that stupid idea!
The question of what my ambition was had been sorted. I would not need to worry about it anymore. I could simply enjoy doing paintings. Since then my skills have improved a lot. I used my skill not just in making paintings but also pretty crafts. I love to be responsible of decorating my classroom and ensuring that everything is clean and tidy. Not long after that, I was appointed to be a class monitor when I was in Year 5. It was not a surprise that my favourite subjects was art lesson and I was always a member of the art club.
When I was in secondary school, I started to realise that my passion for art had further broaden into reading poem, wood carving, sculpturing, printings, and anything that relate to art. During this period, I started to save my school allowance and earn more money by selling guava, plum, and coconut drinks during the school holidays. All the monies raised enabled me to buy art materials of high quality which marked the starting point of me exploring all different sort of art materials and equipments. These new materials included a high quality paper, branded watercolour, technical pen (most people normally started using it when they're in varsity), dye, markers, oil pastels, etc. My favourite place to hang-out was our one and only Central Market (art flea market) and art store departments. I always asked the sales person at the art shop what each art material could be used for, and then bought and tested it my own. I also spent a lot of time looking at artist at work..I was always amazed to see them making painting there and then with people surrounding them.
Ever since I was in primary school, I frequently moved from one school to another following my father's transfer. My father works for Malaysian Rubber Board (previously RRIM). In total, I'd moved to 8 different schools (5 primary schools and 3 secondary schools). This experience exposed me to how art looked and practiced in various schools and states. In some of the school, I did murals on the walls. One particular school that really sharpened my skills was Sekolah Menengah Permatang Rawa, Penang, Malaysia. I was heavily involved in art club and elected as president. I was very close to my art teacher, Mr. Azhar who taught me a lot of techniques and all kind of media in art. We even spent the school holiday together building a huge sculpture of mushrooms that looked as though the mushrooms grew on a tree trunk. This mushroom sculpture could be used as a place where students could sit during recess or dinner time. That was also my first ever live constructions project because it required the use of concrete, steel wire and making foundations.
However, this heaven-like place where I really enjoy exploring and making art was not for long. Because of my excellent performance in our national test (PMR), I was selected to undergo a special programme in a boarding school (MRSM Jasin first special educational project). I thought I could continue my hobby and take it up a notch there. Although I could still join the art club, the equipment and even the participation were not very encouraging. It turned out that I was in a Science stream school! Art is not a priority. This broke my heart. But soon I realised that science is also necessary for me to become an architect. It was just that they put a lot of emphasis on science as if I were to become a doctor or an engineer. I then found my way to keep my art skill going by getting involved with class and dorm decoration, designing logo, being the design editor for school magazines and even decorating the sports team house.
Due to the lack of art materials in the school, I needed even more money to buy them. For this matter, I started to design and sell t-shirts. It brought me in touch with my skills of doing business which I love since I was a kid. My love for doing business was nurtured when I used to follow my grandfather buying stocks for his small shop and help him sell them.
Then when our final most important exam was over we were on a long holiday before being offered a place in the varsity. This was my golden opportunity to get back to drawing board. I started to paint on larger scale, with greater detail than before. I was back in KL and this gave me the chance to go back to the Central Market, art shops and started making visits to art galleries.
When we finally got our examination result, I was determined to go into architecture just like I'd decided to do since I was young boy. The good result achieved (thanks to my art subjects) guaranteed me a place in the A-levels programme which would prepare me for reading architecture in the UK. I absolutely enjoyed the A-level course. Everyone who takes A-level for Architecture must take Art subject...I just love it! The best thing about having Art as a mandatory subject is that the college must provide a proper art studio. I learnt more about our traditional art such as "batik" and transforming them into a contemporary art using traditional media. Those big canvas painting of contemporary batik were then made into souvenirs to all MRSM schools in the country. And during the A-level I got the opportunity to be on a proper art exhibition. The "pesona" art exhibitions was held in PWTC and that was my first art exhibition ever. Absolutely amazing! It was among one of my most memorable event in my life.
Our good fortune was not long as we were then told that we might not be able to finish our A-level because of the economic recession back in 1998. Despite this misfortune, we were lucky to be offered a place at the local university. In year 1 of architecture, I was amused to know that free-hand drawing was a part of our subject. It was a really basic art subject compared to what I had learnt in schools and explored on my own. Remember I wrote earlier on about my very first technical pen (profit of selling goods) which I bought when I was in form 2? Well, this equipment was only first introduced when we did our technical drawing. To me, the only new art medium taught was model making..lots of model making actually. The best thing about doing architecture is to understand design process. It helps me to develop my idea and turning the idea into a reality.
Soon after our first practical training at a real architecture firm (year 2000) I learnt that computer and 3D digital visual are highly used and more preferred in the practice. I also realised that it could save me more time and could easily update errors made compared to conventional drawing. I was soon addicted to this new "art medium" (3d digital) and keep my drawing to simple sketches. Thanks to the computer technology and my beloved partner, I found myself capable of coping with early married life with kids, working part-time, freelance and at the same time maintaining the 'A's in Design subject.
One thing that I seem to neglect was to practice doing paintings. I had hardly completed a full painting. Most of them were sketches and rough watercolour. Deep inside my heart, I started to feel an emptiness but time was running against me and I needed to do something else to ensure my family's survival. Do you recall the moment when I was a lot younger and how I said to myself that being an architect could make me rich and the money could be spend on more art equipment? Well, how wrong was I. The money didn't come as easy as that! I worked hard day and night and through out the weekends in order to meet my growing family's needs.
After a few years of practicing architecture in Malaysia, I managed to secure a position in the UK. The firm where I currently work for teaches me to manage time better. As a result, I got more quality time. The quality time for me not just to raise my family but to start reading, writing and slowly start doing paintings with my two boys who fortunate for me share the same passion for art.
This is the elaborated story of my Art background and what I have become ever since. I hope today I could resume my journey in art and hunt back my precious artistic skills that I had abandoned years ago. The long narration above had somehow given me the most vital clue to hunting down the treasure chest that I had left behind. I made a promise to myself during my childhood to ensure that becoming an architect could help me raise funds for my art cravings. So today as the first day of the new 2009 epitomise new beginning to a lot of people, I would like to set off my very own expedition to fulfill that promise to the 8-year boy in me.
Shoutbox
2009-01-02 3:51 AM
fadzlan thanks for your support..really appreciate it..
2009-01-02 10:39 AM
dakmatt congrates paklan your new websites.Thank you also for commenting my site.Alhamdulilah,my father had undergo 3 round of chimotherapy
dakmatt He has to go for 6 chimotheraphy to kill the disease.More update on my website dakmatt.com
2009-01-03 2:53 PM
fadzlan thanks dakmatt.we pray for your father good health..
2009-01-04 12:06 PM
friendly cantik lukisan bro...
2009-01-04 11:48 PM
Tai KL Hi kawan, have tagged u via my wife's blog
2009-01-05 9:31 AM
Tai KL link
2009-01-05 9:31 AM
zamry thx for visit my site
2009-01-05 9:42
Tai KL can link me pls TQ
2009-01-05 9:46 AM
fadzlan hallo mr. Tai..thanks..I will put the link soon
2009-01-05 10:32 AM
http://azmanishak.com/ Assalamualaikum... i really love your artwork. I'll link yours using your STOP the WAR poster... thanks.
2009-01-06 12:44 PM
cybernetics mind Salam ...poster Pak Lan dah tersebar kat M'sia ni
2009-01-07 5:01 AM
Kreuger Link added. thanks~
2009-01-07 7:16 PM
DEn Blog hopping nice blog..
2009-01-08 12:11 AM
Valsonz wah.. kamu ada hasil kerja yg sangat menarik..
2009-01-08 1:31 PM
danial wow cantikn yerrrr blog
009-01-08 5:19 PM
izzzzzzz darhhh... menarek giler ini blog
2009-01-09 10:09 AM
Puteri Ezza Salam. Nice artworks
2009-01-09 11:26 AM
fadzlan thanks for your kind support..still lots of work need to be done..keep in touch
2009-01-09 12:32 PM
DEn Turbo Salam.. sudi exchange link?
2009-01-09 3:03 PM
Ridhuan suka la blog ni. very creative. i linked u
2009-01-09 4:12 PM
keghorl SLM SINGGAH
2009-01-10 2:47 AM
arkrab It is interesting to have growing childs. I have gome to the end of the road. Pray to have craetive grandchilds. InsyaAllah kalau sempat. SYABAS.
2009-01-11 1:13 AM
Kreuger salam bro... hope bro sihat dengan famaly. nice artwork... Dream Island... 100% pure real... aku suke betoi lukisan bebudak... truly magic ar~
2009-01-13 2:11 AM
fadzlan its really inspiring to see how pure their art impression..harap semua yg melawat dapat memberikan komem membina dlm post2 blog nanti..
2009-01-13 2:36 AM
fadzlan this will help improve their confidents
2009-01-13 2:40 AM
TOTE BAG very talented! those artwork dijual x?
2009-01-16 8:49 AM
fadzlan alhamdulillah..tak terror mana sgt pun..belum sampai tahap nak jual lagi kot..ada ka nak beli?
2009-01-17 12:30 PM
aliaajoe i suka yg dream island tu. comel sgt. if its affordable y not kn? hehe
2009-01-17 1:24 PM
Nazz Salam singgah yer...
2009-01-18 3:58 PM
fadzlan memang comel...sayang pulak nak jual.tgklah nanti kalau dah byk sgt painting tak larat simpan..bolehlah jual..hehe
2009-01-18 5:55 PM
NOOTB hey nice artwork..why dont you pay a visit to my blogshop and buy some stuff for your momma?
2009-01-19 4:18 AM
arkrab Terima kasih an9. InsyaAllah pak cik cuba ikut your dad yang creative tuu. Tapi pak cik dah kureng sikit. Mata dah rabun ayam. TQ.
2009-01-19 1:13 PM
mak cik ana salam, i'm not sure whether you still remember your makcik ana. anyway both of you shows talents in art. nice job.till we meet again in malaysia.
2009-01-20 12:10 PM
lady_deena ana, tx for dropping by. spread out this blog to friends. ta. send my regards to mak, abah.
2009-01-20 1:01 PM
Nur Salam kunjungan balas.. TQ cos sudi jengah blog saya.. wahh anak & ayah dua2 cukup berbakat.. Tahniah ye!! Rasanya ramai yg tertarik nk membeli..
2009-01-21 11:12 AM
eSempoi.com melawat jab..hoho
2009-01-21 9:36 PM
fadzlan selamat berkenalan...
2009-01-21 9:40 PM
fadzlan thanks nur..belum masa lagi nak jual...tunggulah nanti2.
2009-01-21 9:45 PM
renee nice..!
2009-01-23 9:27 AM
vrempire Wowww..that's very cool art by your kids you got there
2009-01-24 5:49 PM
http://azmanishak.com/ Vote To Close Blog: adibahahmed. Lakukan tanggung jawab anda sebagai seorang yang prihatin. TQ link is now Update. Thanks~
2009-01-25 6:10 AM
BloggersBox get this blog listed in BloggersBox. Just fill in the form.
2009-01-25 8:03 PM
zafreena Wow, what an art family!
2009-01-28 8:45 AM
fadzlan thanks zafreena, vrempire, renee..Really appreciate your encouragement. Please come again and review our work for improvement.
2009-01-28 5:09 PM
redza menarik laman web awak ni.simple tapi memang DBOM!
2009-01-28 11:01 PM
ma zul salam ziarah....salam persahabatan..menarik lukisan ini...terus berkaraya
2009-01-29 6:07 PM