August 06, 2008

Time does fly!

I realized yesterday. it's been a year since my show at Red Dot Design Museum! こんにちは It seemed like only a few months ago... Anyway, been busy of late. Had lots of stuff bothering me. And whenever I'm too tired, I start thinking of stupid things that makes me sad and cry. Don't know why but I'm holding up so much, all inside and I seem to be taking it all quietly. I need to turn to someone, soon. Till the next post, take care.

August 04, 2008

Sweet dreams for you tonight

Sweet dreams for you tonight
One of the many out takes, from my marshmallow and paper doyley artwork. Tonight, my brains feel like they're pretty fried and toasted. There's so much I want to read, paint and do. I'm thinking horses, ponies, more paper doyleys, pretty girls, tiny florals, pinks, pastels, childhood toys, ginger cats, tea, pretty china and cakes. I think I have a big idea but I've got to get it all sorted out. 
For now, it's sugar, spice and everything nice. 

XXX

August 03, 2008

Sketch Walk

Le Bon Cake Shop This cute little cake shop which had a glass window bursting with cakes and tarts. But too many to draw. So I drew only my favourites.

August 02, 2008

These days...

I've been working and working and working like a crazy art student. I finally signed up for the art levy and braved myself for the workshop. The last I remembered, I got myself a huge splinter which stuck in my fingers for almost a day. Thank goodness I managed to make 3 good stretchers without any injuries this time. Phew! They are all sitting nicely primed and ready to be painted on, come Monday. Making Stretchers 

Apart from hammering, stapling, sawing, sanding my stretchers and getting rabbit skin glue and gesso all over my fingers, I've also been working hard painting away in my studio.

  At the end of the day 

I know it's horrible, but I keep forgetting my lunches. Too carried away with all the painting. And most of the time, my leftover breakfast, consisting of my usual sandwiches and tea gets me in a 'keep-on-working' mode. It's hard to break away and come back! Oh and today, I sleepily went for a 6 weeks figure drawing class. I had the idea that it was one of those take turns and pose sort of class. But I was SO wrong. Admist my half awake state, my lecturer walked in and announced that our model would be late. Lo and behold, I had signed myself up for nude figure drawing class! What a way to wake me up, really. Haha. But yes, it was good. My first attempt at nude figure drawing. I started off with really lousy drawings, but improved along the way. Here are the nicer ones.

Drawing I Drawing II Drawing III 

These are all twenty minute sketches. I felt uncomfortable at first but about ten minutes into the session, I got carried away, and just kept drawing, contour after contour, line after line. There's really something about listening to Jazz and Big Band music while doing nude figure drawing. Very therapeutic actually. Anyway, as you can tell, I'm getting excited about school. I'm loving school so much, I wished it was open on Saturday, so I could go to my studio and paint. Haha. I talked all about school today!

Shina & I outside the workshop 

Well, till my next post, do take care! 

Annie and Little Red 

And as promised, you can view the photos from my Abbotsford cycling trip here. There's only a few, cause most of the time, I was trying to catch my breath, while cycling up slopes. Haha. 

See you soonest! xxx

July 30, 2008

Thank {you} for coming!

To all those who came, tried to come but didn't or couldn't make it for the group show opening, thank you so much anyway! I had a lot of fun and though I didn't have much to show, I'm glad I was given the opportunity. Come to think of it, I haven't had any solo art shows this year, but I've been in two little group shows! So I'm indeed very blessed! Anyway, here are some photos from tonight's opening. 


The wonderful spread Kotoe and Dong Woo Someone's watching Head of Art ( I think ) My wonderful care group Ahn and Kelly Housemates A bit of the crowd Till the next time I have more time on my hands, I'll show you guys pictures from my biking trip. I promise. For now, it's back to my oil painting! See you soon!

July 29, 2008

Doyleys are pretty things

Doyley necklace
For a class in school this week, I had to create a little sculptural 3D piece using materials I'd never use for my art making process. I thought of making something sweet, and thought, why not use sweets? So I used marshmallows and paired them up with doyleys, which I built into a ball, and made myself a little necklace. It was supposed to be a hanging mobile but I liked the idea of a necklace better. Haha

July 27, 2008

I see traingles

Apart from portraits, I've also been into geometric shapes and pastels of late. This is a piece in progress. Work in Progress 04 Oil Paints on wood.

July 26, 2008

Such a bummer!

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I can't believe it but just today, for the first time ever in my life, I got scolded and chased away by this silly ice cream seller. I was just standing at a distance drawing his super cute van and he came over and scolded me for drawing his van. So super mean! He wasn't even kind at all! I was so angry with him.

Rah! But yes, here's what I managed, just before the silly guy came over. Grrr.

Been too busy!

But well, I managed to squeeze in a little sketching trip today. Here's one for now. We were waiting for a tram somewhere along Chapel Street. 

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My perspective is always so horrible! Haha. I need to sketch so much more! Practice makes perfect.

Oh and in case you're wondering what I've been busy with, I've been swamped with preparation for the group show I'm involved in, which opens next Tuesday. Do pop by if you are able to!
Image

And of course, new form of works for school. I'm trying to 'force' myself to work on real-life portraitures, coupled with geometric shapes. Since I really kind of am lousy and can't draw people for nuts. I've decided to try my best and go as far as I can. I've even signed up for figure drawing classes!

Well, art making is a learning journey anyway. 
P1010031
Alrightos, see you when I next see you! :D

PS: Click on the images for a clearer view. I still can't figure out why the images are blurred after I've uploaded them. Gets on my nerves, really. But I don't know what else to do!

July 22, 2008

It's pretty cold in here today!

For class today, we went to a Paper Merchant in Smith Street, Fitzroy. It was fun, just learning about how paper is made in general. The different types, mills, etc. Most of my work's on paper anyway, so it was quite interesting.

Anyway, after class, my three friends and I decided to roam around Getrude and Smith Street, hoping to visit some art galleries. Unfortunately, most of them were not open for the day, and it was really cold today too! My cheeks and fingers were constantly numb!

Well, we did pass by this tiny shop though. It was also closed for the day. But we couldn't help peeping into the glass windows. Super awesome work by an australian contemporary artist. I can't remember her name. But yes, she crocheted so many pretty circles and even wrapped up a tree with all the lovely crocheting. So sweet and delicate.

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Alright, I'm off to write some notes. I have too many notebooks, and too many notes from my classes. I need to do some urgent reorganizing. Haha.
See you soonest!

PS: There's something wrong with my photographs in each entry. They appear grainy and blurry, and the colours kind of fade and dull after I upload them here. You can take a look at the better quality one only after clicking on it though. Can anyone help me out with that? Not sure why it's like that :( Thanks!

DO SAY HI!

  • I'm Dawn Tan, an artist living in Victoria, Melbourne. I enjoy my days, taking photos and making art. This is my little visual diary.

    My flickr

Email me at

  • dawntanwenyi@gmail.com

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