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Crafts Archives - The Jar of Salt

Aug 06 2018
0

Michelangelo Did Not Starve For his Art

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That’s why he was, at that time, worth what would be $47 MILLION today?

Just read that eye-popping tale in a book by Jeff Goins recently, a revelation discovered by Professor Hatfield in 1995 when he stumbled upon the artist’s bank records while researching something else.

Suddenly, the way I always envisioned him was wrong! It’s a nice, happy thought that kinda puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? ??

THINK ABOUT THAT! Let’s start the week with that empowering thought, why don’t we?

Have a fruitful and easy week up ahead!

Oct 23 2017
0

Are You Doing What You Set Out To Do?

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I was having dinner with friends one time, and when I asked what he does, he gave me this wordy title that clearly went over my head, not to mention it was in an industry that I find rather difficult to comprehend. It was a long-winded terminology I can’t even recall what he said.  I replied, “I didn’t know there was such a thing!”.  It was the kind of designation you most likely never dreamed of because you probably didn’t know it even existed.

“Did you ever foresee yourself in this job when you were in school?”, I asked.

He replied, “No. I wanted to be a chef.”

There was a time when we declared what we set out to do. We said it with conviction, with clarity. We knew we could do it because we believed. And then life happened, many of us end up being one of the little cogs of a machinery built on routine, endless paperwork, planning meetings to plan other meetings, days that become years weighing down until our dreams are flattened and pummelled into something that’s barely a whisper of a memory.

When I was 4, there were two things I told anyone who would ask what I wanted to do. I declared that I wanted to be an artist and a teacher.  I count myself fortunate as I actually did and continue to do what I originally set out to do. It did, however, take me almost twenty years to make that switch and commit to my first love: art.  I dug up this book for the first time in a long time.  When I looked at the dedication, I realised it was given to me in 2006, shortly before I hit a creative block in 2007. 

So what took so long, and why did I resort to Plan B and procrastinate my creative dream?  I can think of three things that held me back:

1. Limiting beliefs

As a child born in the 70s and grew up in the 80s, I was told that art was not a job nor is it a career. The idea was never taken seriously and simply was not an option for out middle-class family.  However, they did praise and encourage my art as a hobby and something fun to do, but nothing beyond that.  I was trained to believe that a career meant a fixed monthly pay check, working behind a desk and sticking to one company all the way until retirement. And that’s when they said I should do what I loved.

2. Poverty consciousness

Art was not something I thought would pay unless you are extremely gifted, like the great masters or come from a well-to-do family.  Again, this is what I was taught.  I grew up in the era that fostered the image of the “starving artist”, something I always thought would happen  if I pursued a career in art.

3.  Self-doubt

Being my own worst critic, this is perhaps the most pronounced reason that affected my career. Linking back to my first reason, I always thought art, to be of any value to anyone, had to be serious, perfect and staid.  I compared myself to other classmates who could draw a life-like face with proper shading and shadows, or a landscape with such accurate perspective. I look at my skewed and lopsided scraggly strokes and splotches of bright colors and it never occurred to me that I had what it takes to make a profession out of it.

Well, guess what?  Years and a slew of chances later, and even if I didn’t go to art school, I finally did!

Are you doing what you always said you would do?

What made you do it, or what is holding you back?

May 17 2017
1

Make Instagram Work For Your Art (And Not The Other Way Around)

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It’s been almost a month since the opening of “Myriad”, my first solo gallery sold-out show. The response has been nothing short of breathtaking, with paintings moving even weeks before the opening. Even after the last piece was declared sold on opening night, the gallery informed me that inquiries were still pouring in from places as far as Greece.

I am overwhelmed, elated, humbled and anxious all at once.

Overwhelmed by the wonderful response.

Elated that my work is appreciated.

Humbled by others’ faith in what I do.

But anxious as I wonder where I go from here.

My husband just shook his head and reminded me to stop, relax and relish the moment.

It started in 1997.

My story as a professional artist began the moment I left university with a BA in Psychology in 1997, and tried being everything else other than myself. Since then, I made half-hearted efforts to break into the art industry but always with one foot out the door, ready to bolt whenever things didn’t go as planned.

And that’s exactly what happened.

When things hit a slump or did not yield the desired result, I quickly went back to my comfort zone and sprinted right back to Plan B, C and even D.

Although I had an exhibit in a bistro and another one in a fine-dining restaurant in 2003 and 2004 respectively, it wasn’t until last year, 2015, that I sold my first work through an art gallery.  While I juggled 3 to 4 non-creative part-time jobs while trying to do part-time art after 2004, my half-hearted efforts would pretty much produce a half-baked career. This was how it was up until I hit my creative block sometime in 2007 and had my breakthrough in 2012.

Fast forward to April 2017, after a long and excruciatingly slow journey strewn with hits and misses, twists and turns, I found my way back to myself.

A body of new work up in my first solo gallery show has come to fruition.

Climb a wall and commit.

For a brief moment, I got into wall-climbing. At that time, I also had the good fortune of coming to the facility whenever the national team came for training.  On my first evening,  I passed the halfway mark of a 40-foot wall, when I was met with a 1-ft indentation jutting directly over my head at a 90-degree angle. I could’t figure out how I could hoist myself up. While I was trying to find a grip, I yelled down below “I can’t!”. Others who were resting heard me and yelled “Commit! Commit! Just commit!”

This meant that I should release my grip, and without fear, hoist myself up with everything I’ve got and commit to another grip with the free hand. It also meant to let go and have faith in the movement.

When I moved to Singapore in 2010, I eventually saw it as a blank page, a fresh start, and a chance to reinvent myself as an artist. It was this brand of commitment that I took to heart that changed everything. I stopped doing things that were not-related to my art. Then, I closed down my Etsy and Society6 shop because that wasn’t what my work was about anymore. I said ‘no’ to a lot of offers which no longer fit my vision.

I narrowed my focus, buckled down and did nothing but paint, paint and paint.

Social media helped. By a mile.

Let social media work for you and not the other way around.

I joined Instagram in 2014 when I got into calligraphy, a craft with a very strong and supportive community around the world. Unfortunately, this was a short-lived hobby but I learned that being part of a community, even though we’ve never met each other in person, made a world of difference. So I stayed on Instagram.

Being on social media gave me a chance to grow my work in anonymity.  It gave me a different kind of validation knowing that my art is valued simply for what it is, and not something born of friendship, affiliation, or a favor.  In 2015, I joined an Instagram class by Melissa Camillieri. This was a game-changer. It gave social media a purpose, a direction, and showed me how something seemingly fun and mundane can otherwise be a powerful tool to connect with the world and build my work.  If there’s one thing that made IG work for me, it would be the sincerity behind both what I post and the art that I do.

Oh, and hey! A little bird told me that she’s holding her next class in a week or two! To see what this class is all about, click here.

Perhaps one of the biggest pitfalls of being on Instagram is relying on it solely  to build your business. While this can totally work  it is an unfair expectation to think that Instagram will do the job for you.  Instagram is merely a tool to be heard by the universe around you. Instagram did not create my art. My art existed independently of social media except it’s like I was handed an extraordinary megaphone to tell my story, loud enough to be heard across the planet.

And, gratefully, they did.

Mar 29 2017
3

When Art Becomes A Little Less Fun (Part 2 of 3)

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As artists, why do we have to talk about money? Because we have to and because it’s our job to do so as a working artist.

In my opinion, this is, perhaps, the trickiest part when it comes to art: pricing your work. Money is something many of us enjoy having, but not necessarily something we enjoy talking about. This is the part when art becomes a little less fun.  I remember being taught that it’s something you simply don’t talk about at all, and asking for money is just a big no-no.  This mentality is perhaps what feeds the guilt and the lack of confidence many of us have when it comes to commanding rates and prices because art is not exactly a straightforward product you can reduce to a number, like a bag of flour or a bottle of shampoo that can be easily and objectively quantified.

But really, how do we expect to be paid if we don’t have the initiative to even talk about the value of what we do?

Pricing method

There are some ground rules you can set for your body of work. For painters like myself, one can price art per square inch, per linear inch or by the hour plus costs. Personally, I use the square inch method because it’s what I was taught and  it has worked for me since.   Now knowing the multiplier without overpricing yourself will require a lot of research.  Study the different prices of artworks across varying work experience, exhibits, art background (I have none, don’t worry), size and medium.  The internet makes this part rather easy.

Setting the tone

I think this is where having a non-art background helps.  In an earlier blog post, I talked about my years of experience wearing many non-creative hats and how this provided a solid backbone from which  business ethics and protocols were born. These non-artsy elements are key in being a reliable artist.  Our decorum affects people’s perception of our  transactions, whether on paper or in person.  Do you hesitate when asked for pricing? Do you exude conviction?  Ditch the emojis, the smiley faces and the multiple exclamation points.  Refrain from making jokes or giggling nervously, and try not to get flustered in the client’s presence when money is now the focus of the discussion.

If, however,  you feel you can’t blurt out a price at the drop of a hat, be honest and say “Could you give me time to review your requirements?  I’ll get back to you within the day”.   This will buy you time but do not delay. Keep the turnaround time very swift and be ready to draft your own contract if the client won’t provide any.

Oh, and when dealing with clients face to face, remember to dress smart and neat.  There is immense power in it.

Dealing with low-ballers

Up until recently, I still got offered “mileage” as compensation.  Seriously. It’s 2017 in the age of social media where artists have direct reach with their audience.  Unless it’s a major publication, a relevant TV feature, a globally recognised blogger  or Oprah, the offer of mileage does not always compute.

I also noticed the term “collaboration” being  distorted to serve other people’s own purpose. If you are asked to shell out your time and give your products for free in exchange for foot traffic and exposure yet the establishment you are “collaborating” with benefits financially and directly from the project, I wouldn’t call it a “collaboration” anymore.

I would simply call this unjust.

In the second part of the blog post, let’s talk about doing art (and other creative things) for free and why this practice should be obliterated from today’s world. It’s about time, don’t you think?

Click here to read Part 1.

Click here to continue reading Part 3.

Sep 07 2016
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Why I Created The ‘Big Blank Page’

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Why The ‘Big Blank Page’ is not for kids.

Kids, by default, get so much support for creativity.  Whether it’s in school, weekend or community activities or even art lessons on TV programs,  kids have a slew of options to explore,  get happy and experiment with all things artful and creative.

Adults, however, have fewer choices that offer the same spirit.  Which is why I think grown-ups need me more than kids. For now.

The class is also a forum where we discuss the ghosts of our creative past: from teachers who may have made careless comments about our work, to a family who does not believe in art, topics that young kids may not have experienced or  be fully aware of, and can prevent them from participating in the discussion.

sketchbook-class-copy

Grown-ups need a break from adulting.

Many of the classes for adults I see are either structured lessons or art “jams” with hobbyists and/or professional artists — both of which can be intimidating for those who feel too shy about their own work.

Sometimes, adults want to make art without the pressure of perfection, judgment, or being instructed to draw “the right way”.

Sometimes, we just want to make a lot of nothing, enjoy the freedom of the beautiful mess,  and draw for its own sake.

Because every line, shape and color is valid.

You will draw.

I will not argue with you if your convictions dictate that you cannot draw.

But I am of unwavering belief and faith that everyone can draw. And I mean EVERYONE.

It’s just a matter of to what degree you can draw.

It’s crucial to remember  two things: 1. that what is considered beautiful is highly subjective, and 2. there is so much beauty in imperfection.

There’s more to art than being a Michelangelo or a Rembrandt. There’s also Rothko, Pollock and Matisse.  And if you can draw like you, then I believe that’s the best kind of artist to be.

Regardless of what you say or do, hemming and hawing, you will and can draw something.

If the shoe fits.

Some people like to draw flowers, others like swirly things, some like smiley faces, others like to make dots.  The ‘Big Blank Page’ acts as a springboard for your own exploration as you discover the smoothest groove for your artistic movement, what feels most natural and empowering for you to do artfully.

The creative journey is not meant to be travelled alone.

This is perhaps the paramount reason why I created the ‘Big Blank Page’.  I got tired of creating art by myself. Then I thought to myself, “Maybe there are others out there who are just like me, looking for a safe and supportive circle where we can make art freely.”

Making art, I learned, is all about community.  And this creative spirit is the very sanctuary on which the ‘Big Blank Page’ is built.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sep 01 2016
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How Does One Become A Professional Artist?

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People have asked me this: “How does one become a professional artist?”

Now that I look back, I realise that being a professional and working artist, with emphasis on “professional”,  goes beyond talent, imagination and skill.

sketchbook class

“My word is my bond.”

I picked up this principle when I worked in a bank. It is a phrase used by stock brokers on the trading floor, wherein agreements and financial transactions are made and delivered without signing any documents.  This is a value that was deeply ingrained in me ever since, and one that, I believe, makes me a valuable artist to work with.  As a working artist, it is important to be regarded as someone reliable and trustworthy, whether it comes to being punctual at meetings, responding to email messages quickly, following through on a commitment, and completing a project on or before the agreed date.

Language is of the essence.

When writing professional correspondence with clients, be mindful of your tone, choice of words and grammar. Emojis, smiley faces and LOLs are reserved for chat messages with friends.  I would also recommend to keep cute language and emojis at a minimum when responding on social media because nowadays, our chosen platform serves as a window to our work. This applies especially to the name or handle we assign to our social media accounts. So please think carefully and choose a name that can easily be spelled and remembered, and one that you feel reflects your brand best.  Finally, for as long as the purpose of the written transaction is about work, keep the language polished.  It will remind clients that they are working with someone who takes their work seriously.

Let your “office” reflect who you are.

Let’s face it. Not many of us will have workspace that clients will be able to visit.  With the internet, however, we are able to set up a virtual office, a room of our own, where people all over the world can visit at any time of the day.  Whatever platform we choose,  whether it’s Tumblr, Instagram or Facebook pages, it would be best to be mindful of the quality of our photos and the visual content that we post.  Keep the selfies, duckface and OOTDs to a bare minimum if it’s not relevant to what you do. Save the passive-aggressive quotes for your personal FB account.

Putting our best foot forward works to anyone’s advantage, which means going the extra mile with good composition, cleaning, adjusting the tilt or brightening of our pictures.

Uphold industry standards when stating your fees.

As a working artist, you get paid. And frankly, discussing money is perhaps my least favorite part about transacting art.  Good news though: it gets easier over time, I promise.  You eventually gain confidence in the discussing money as you learn to pick up financial language that is neither demanding or imposing.

But the most important thing for artists is to never undervalue yourself.  Please. To begin with, stop working for free.  Unless it’s a charity, an NGO or a cause that is close to your heart, you must get paid that is commensurate to your efforts.  Back in the day, we were at the mercy of industry movers for exposure in getting our name out there — simply because there wasn’t any social media available for us to do the work ourselves.

The promise of exposure as payment  does not work anymore in this era. Unless it’s some really high-profile client of massive proportions, or one that you think will be a fruitful springboard for your goals, exposure simply does not pay.

Be humble and grateful.

This is one practice I’ve done for as long as I can remember.  After meeting a potential client in person or over the phone, or when a project has been concluded, always send a message of thanks. This goes such a long way.

Thank them for their time and their effort to come meet with you.  Thank them for their ideas. Thank them for the experience.  To this day, I still thank the key people who gave me a break when I was just starting in 2004.  It makes such a huge difference simply saying ‘thank you’ for the opportunity to work together and for their support, big and small.

The world is small and things have a way of finding its way back to you. When you plant the seeds of kindness and exercise sincerity and goodwill, people will sense it and will be more than happy to pass your name to someone else.

Of course people will remember you for your talent, but being remembered for your character is simply priceless.

Aug 03 2016
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Artists And Instagram

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I initially got into Instagram because of my calligraphy phase.  After almost a year of aimless fun posting my artwork, my dog Jones, the cake I baked and random sunsets, I saw that I had 700 followers.

I said, “Ok, cool.”

instagram tips for artists

But when I started taking Instagram a little bit more seriously, it changed my life.

I don’t make sweeping statements so I’m not even kidding. It changed the way I perceived my work, conducted myself online and it actually gave me a professional direction in my art.

Ultimately, I found a way to make Instagram work for me. I recently passed the 20k mark and have to admit, the numbers have pushed me globally in directions I could not have foreseen. I’ve begun conducting a sketchbook class and creative forum and started an art community on IG called Sketchbook People.   I don’t dish out gospel truth, but the thoughts I share below are a few of the things that have  worked for me.

What’s in a name?

“So why the Jar Of Salt?” is a question I get asked almost all the time.

Easy.

I used to be a food writer who eventually started a food blog named after something I used to collect: salt. Hence, www.jarofsalt.com and @thejarofsalt (only because the name without a ‘the’ is already taken) 🙁

When I got over my 5-year creative block and decided to go full-steam ahead into my professional art career, I needed to re-brand myself.  I’ve met people randomly and upon exchanging cards exclaim, “Oh you’re the Jar Of Salt!”.

It seems by then, the name has stuck so I decided to keep it.  Why?

It’s not too long.

It’s easy to recall.

And it’s a word that’s easy to comprehend across different cultures.

I wanted a name people could remember even if it’s said in passing or in a rush. So I kept it even if the name has nothing really to do with art because it’s a word that has already been identified with me.

Choose  and create your OWN photos well.

Ah. Where to even begin on this topic?

For starters, “nice” photos are the ones that get a lot of support.  In social media terms, that’s called “engagement”.  Keep the shot clean, well-composed and well-lit.If you’re posting a painting or a drawing, try to refrain from using filters so as not to distort the details or colors of your work.  You don’t have to be a professional photographer to get the job done. A steady hand, a good eye and proper timing is all you need.  Take it easy on the filters and focus on crisp lighting. There are so many apps out there to help you get the job done without tinkering in Photoshop or Lightroom so give Snapseed a try.

My thoughts on selfies?

I’m not a fan especially of accounts that contain almost only just your face for its own sake, unless you’re documenting your journey to health and fitness. Then that’s a different topic altogether. Why? Because I’d rather follow something or someone else whose content adds value to my life and interests.  Many celebrities actually don’t post much of their physical selves online, and I appreciate that. To me,  their photos actually tell me a story of a life, and somewhat shows me their vision of their own world. And that they are actually interested in things out there other than overly indulging in their self.

In my case, I’m a painter. What I choose to wear really has no bearing on my work and  I have no plans of celebritifying myself with posed photos.  I do, however, try to insert myself casually in slivers as minimally as possible so as not to distract, and just to let people know there really is a human being lurking in there somewhere.

Seek professional help.

By seeking help from the pros, I don’t mean buying your followers, god forbid.  To me it’s like paying “people” to pretend to be your friends.  Stay far away from that unfortunate scam.

What I’m talking about is taking professional coaching and classes that teach you how to make the most of your life and time online to make it work for you.  I took an Instagram class from Melissa almost exactly a year ago. It was to be the one of the best decisions I have made for myself.  All the insights, ideas and options she presented helped to social media an extension of my work and the curated life I choose to share. It was this class that helped put a very efficient system in my online life. For anyone who wants to make Instagram work for them, and not the other way around, I highly recommend her class.

Update: She has a class coming up and you can still sign up until Oct. 31, 2017.  Use the code IGHOLIDAY to get a $100 discount for this year’s class 🙂

Keep it real.

As an artist, I post my work-related mess. My cluttered workspace. The errors on my sketchpad. My words thinking out loud. I refuse to look “Instagrammy” (if you’re on IG you know what I’m talking about).  It was only recently that I realised that showing this side of me is something that my IG community seems to look forward seeing.

My account is a personal documentation of a person’s creative journey and body of work.  And I try my best to let it reflect exactly that in the most relaxed way possible.

It doesn’t really bode well with me, calling myself an artist and not being able to muster enough creativity to come up with original content. This is the reason I do not re-post stock photos of beaches I’ve never been to, or coffee shots that don’t belong to me just to prettify my account.  It makes me feel weird.

This is also another topic  altogether I’d like to talk about later on regarding copyrights.

And no, tagging and giving credit does not absolve you of infringement.

Be very careful when it comes to borrowing and sharing photos. The last thing you want is to receive a cease-and-desist letter form the lawyer of the person who took that photo.

Good manners.

More than the aesthetics, I try to treat people online as I do in real life.  I never followed people asking them to follow me back, nor do I spam people’s accounts with smiley faces and words like “cool”  with hopes that they will click my name and follow me.  I also try to respond to all the comments as soon as I can.

Unlike Facebook, IG only allows for 80 of the latests notifications to show on my phone, and there is no way to scroll back to that once the new alerts come in.   If I don’t respond to you, it means  one of two things:

  1. I either didn’t see  because it  has been buried by the newer notifications,
  2. You really didn’t say anything that merits a response, or
  3. You happened to ask a question that’s been asked many times over.  If that’s the case, the answers might already be on the blog.

Posting a pink flower, a thumbs-up or heart on the comment field is not something I would actually regard as a comment, unfortunately.

Finally, if there is one behaviour on IG that still surprises me it’s this::  people who will follow you but will immediately unfollow you when you decide to follow them.

Yikes.

It’s like a person sweet-talking you to purchasing something who will suddenly turn cold as soon as you’re done with your purchase.

*****

I had a very looooong dinner last night with a friend and social media was the one thing we spent a great deal of time bantering about. We realised that we come from that generation of kids that crossed from analogue living to digital lifestyle.

As we sipped the last drop of wine from our stained glasses, we concluded this: social media is no longer just any other tool external to us. It has now become an integral part of our existence and a secondary voice to interact with the world today. And no matter how we choose to sculpt our image and curate our lives online, it always helps to remember old school values when using Instagram and social media:

Be kind.

Show respect.

Stay real.

Jul 27 2016
1

So You Didn’t Go To Art School

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Well, neither did I.

And that’s okay.

Because it never stopped me from doing professional work as an artist.

Gosh, my head is bursting  with thoughts and ideas that it’s actually paralyzing so I’m gonna clear some cobwebs and all the clutter in my head by writing this out.

Or maybe… I’ll just bake bread?

Okay, fine!  I’ll write.

I’ll write.

So I finished with a degree in BA Psychology and if I had to live my life all over again, I would still choose to spend my four years researching, experimenting and reading all things Psychology. The one thing I would change, however, is that I would take non-academic art classes outside of university and start the actual doing of art immediately, and not procrastinate for 7 years (12 years, if you include the creative block).

Throughout my life, inside and outside of school, I’ve always been regarded as an artist, probably even before I could write.

But to be a working artist?

That was never an option back in the day. In fact, it wasn’t even considered a profession professional enough.   I was told that I would finish my degree and I was, in a way, pretty much expected to work in a “good” company where I would also retire.

Thinking about it, the idea just leaves a funny taste in my mouth.

However, I happily finished my Psychology degree, one which I enjoyed thoroughly and continue to be passionate about. But I’ve worn many hats since I finished school. Eight hats, if I’m not mistaken.  I have worked full time in a high school, a modeling agency, an international bank, a boarding school, a PR agency and  eventually juggled freelance art  with part-time hours in a modeling school and even a culinary school.  I also did food writing for some time which led me to start a food blog (hence, jarofsalt.com), and even had a radio stint for month as a news announcer. Heck, I even got certified to teach Stott pilates  two years ago.

Yet in all those years, I never really stopped making art. Whether it was made for myself or commissioned by a client, art was always my natural groove.

To eventually do what I really wanted to do (a late start at 27) and do art professionally was met with labels, resistance, that I was rebelling and that I was lost.

On the contrary, committing to make art as a profession was when I truly found myself.

colorful jars of paint

So, now what? You want to do art but there are probably a million and one reasons to not make art. But should the lack of art degree hold you back?

I think not.

In the era of the internet, there are so many ways to invent and reinvent yourself.

How does one become an artist in this day and age, then?

1. Be and Make.

It’s hard to be an artist if you’re not making anything at all. This makes sense, doesn’t it? Don’t pressure yourself, though.  No one expects you to make the next Sotheby-worthy masterpiece tomorrow (but feel free to do so if you can!). Start with doodling on the margins of your books. Make circles on your notebook. Draw a flower. ANY flower. So really, the first step to calling yourself an artist is to be one.

And that starts with making.

2. Commune.

I’ve spoken of my creative block many times over but what was the first step to break the ice?

I joined WordPress in 2011 and started blogging.  When I first joined WP five years ago, I lamented about the lack of art in my life.  Then one post led to the next, one comment after another.  And it got the ball rolling.  I managed to produce my first sketch after five years.  And things started rolling ever since.

There are also so many creativity, sketching, drawing and art groups on Facebook. I suggest you type in those words and see what shows up and resonates with you and your preferred medium. Discussions can be amazing, so much to learn, and sometimes all you need is a regular art challenge to get the juices flowing.

With social media, you can also follow artists who inspire you.  Many of them are active in real time.  Comment or write them an email.  Many of them will happily respond, you’ll be surprised 🙂

3. Learn.

The very first art class I took was for pottery, in 2006. And one of the things I did to break the ice after my creative block later on was to take another live class as well. This time it was for  printmaking. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel motivated or challenged enough in class 🙁 So I hope to revisit this someday as I still have a lot of printing ink in my work room 😮

I also tried my hand (literally) in calligraphy .  It’s a skill I thought I can never learn (or even enjoy!) because of my messy penmanship. But with proper instruction and like-minded people, it can be done.  My calligraphy obsession was short-lived but it lead me to Instagram to share my work.

And my social media life has never been the same ever since 🙂

Also, thanks to the internet you can learn all sorts of creative things from the comforts of your own home.  Check out online art classes from Creative Bug, Skillshare and even Lynda if you’re doing digital.  Also, find other artists to follow because many of them give online instruction.

There are a lot of free classes out there so maximize them, especially on YouTube.  However, I highly recommend saving and spending on some of the paid classes because quality education is truly worth having, no matter how small.

4. Read. A lot.

I haven’t read fiction and novels in years but I constantly buy art and design books. And magazines! Even though some of them are more expensive than a book.  And that’s because fine quality art and design magazines are produced with the content direction of a book.  Frankly, I don’t like reading highly visual material through a screen because  I’m a tactile reader and I like making notes and marks as I use them for reference as I work. Look for inspiring publications like Flow, Uppercase, Frankie and Anorak.

I remember a successful artist who told me to invest in art books. The more, the better. I whined, “It’s so expensive!”.

His reply was simple, “Why, how much do you think  would you have spent if you went to art school?”

That moment changed my perspective forever.

5. Promote yourself.

Before  online everything and social media, I found  art circles to be very cliquish. I still do, to be honest.  When I started in 2002, everyone was at the mercy of print editors to get your name and work out there. It was so hard to reach out to editors and it usually helped to have someone refer you first.  Yes, I’ve done cold calls to media heads back in the day and they proved to be very fruitful.  It was only when my art started to circulate among publications that my career kicked off.  Eventually, editors and producers were the ones requesting  to work together.

Nowadays, it’s so different. If you post your work on Facebook or Pinterest, friends can easily share your work. Before you know it, one thing leads to another and then you blink: your art is already out there.  Know this however: promoting myself makes me feel icky. But it has to be done and you will find a voice that you will eventually be comfortable with without being in-your-face salespitchy. 🙂

Not all platforms work for everyone, though. Some find their voice in Twitter, others on Pinterest. Many on Facebook.   In my case, Instagram is the one that catapulted my work and helped instil a structure in the way I do things creatively.    If you’re trying to build a system to strengthen your social media presence, check out this course by Melissa Camillieri.    I highly recommend it, seriously.

Sit on this and think about what you want to do with your art, whether you want to be paid for your services or simply want to do it for your own pleasure. Heck, you don’t even have to share it if you don’t want to.

But whatever you do, start small.  Be it a nicely-written grocery list, drawing random stick people on the corner of the newspaper, adding color to a homemade cookie, a hand-written postcard for a friend, a practice stitch on a sample cloth, or even just splattering paint on a piece of  paper for no reason at all.

What matters most, I believe, is to just make.

Jun 22 2016
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How Do Schools Kill Creativity?

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“Do schools kill creativity?”

When I first heard the profoundly entertaining words and witty perspective of Sir Ken Robinson, I almost cried. I post my creative process for people seeking their place in the sun, imperfections and all. Here is a man who said it all for me.

People’s unhappiness and confusion can be attributed to a general educational system that kills creativity, according to Sir Ken Robinson.

I remember how I used to get very mediocre grades in 4th grade, simply because I couldn’t remember the myriad of names in the muscular and skeletal system. I also recall how I was sent to the guidance counselor during my senior year because my teachers were concerned that I was not paying attention, that I was always, as they would say, “spaced out”.  I also needed to draw in my notebooks so I could understand what’s going on, and survived school by getting bonus points with my drawings in reports (Kids, back then we had no ClipArt gallery and no Google images!). The only reason I liked Math was when I got to draw shapes, angles and graphs using colored pens but I still almost failed anyway.

My math skills only improved when I started earning my own money after university, and my intelligence in science kicked off as soon as I started mixing artist’s solvents and when I started baking bread. I was also a late bloomer as a reader because I only liked Tintin comics, and colorful books with lots of pictures. I cheated through my book reports by spinning off stories from the summaries at the back (which my teachers saw through!).

Sir Ken Robinson raises an interesting point: that professors shouldn’t be the hallmark of success or intelligence because most of the time, they live in their heads. We have an educational system that works on everything waist up. Everything academic, everything cerebral is given much weight. He also mentioned that in 30 years, degrees will probably be useless and obsolete.

I actually believe him.

He mentions back in the day a diploma guaranteed him a job. Now, you need an MA because the BA isn’t good enough. The jobs that require the MA now need a PhD. He observes that you now have a bunch of people with sparkling degrees who stay at home andplay video games all day.

So now what?

As expected, I was never encouraged to be an artist or a writer because they said I will starve for the rest of my life. As a former educator in a mainstream school, I felt bad when students with mediocre grades in major subjects are regarded as a big joke by no less than the teachers themselves. I joined the educational system in hopes of finding students who are just like me and do better in their lives sooner than I did.                                                    

Although I became a working part-time artist at 27, I stopped a few years later when I hit a creative slump, riddled myself with debilitating self-doubt and one colossal creative block that spanned almost 5 years.   It was only in 2012 that I gratefully picked myself up, and rebooted my art career.  At almost 40, I have just begun working once again as a professional painter and artist.

And a full-time artist. Finally.

He also shares the extraordinary story of Gillian Lynne, the famous choreographer of “Cats” who was considered a below-par student who kept fidgeting and lacked focus. She was brought to a doctor by her mother to be examined for behavior. Her mother narrated Gillian’s “problems” to the doctor. Later on, the good doctor asked the mother to step outside with him so they could discuss privately. He turned the radio on and left the room. Then, he told Gillian’s mom to look inside the room to see Gillian dancing to the music playing all around the room. He advised her to send Gillian to a dancing school: “Your daughter is a dancer. Send her to a dance school.” And when she went to dance school, she saw everyone was just like her — kids who had to keep moving in order to learn.

Let the children dance, sing, cook, paint, sculpt, write and whatever it is that makes their hearts sing. People are not machines where data can simply be encoded, programmed, controlled and re-calibrated. We have feelings, we can taste, smell, hear, feel and see things.

If only we let the child’s imagination, senses and creativity flourish, change everywhere will be massive.

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Jun 20 2016
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A List Of My Drawing Pens

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I always get asked on Instagram what materials I use for my illustrations. So, here we go. A list of the blacks pens for drawing that sit on my desk right now.

pens for drawing

Calligraphy brush pen (whose name I can’t read)

I picked this up in Kinokuniya, if I recall correctly. But I’ve seen them in regular bookstores as well around Singapore, amongst the paintbrushes and bottles of black calligraphy ink.  I like using this for some of my bolder illustrations because of the varying line width it produces in my strokes.  It gives my work a more fluid look, which I love.  The good thing is I’ve seen these come in different sizes as well though I choose to use this wider one.

Stabilo Greenpoint

I love how this pen glides so smoothly. No, not all pens are created equal and not all pens glide smoothly across different paper textures. This one does.  I use it for lettering and I like how it doesn’t bleed and does not look too bold considering it’s a felt tip pen. Best of all, this pen is made of 98% recycled plastic so you’re doing Mother Earth a big favor!

A stubby writing pen called iSign 0.7

I bought this on a whim because it’s short and fits nicely in the small pockets of my bag.  However, ink tends to flow too much while writing that it produces lines which look bolder than a 0.8 pigment pen. And it bleeds through the paper causing messy blobs on the other side. This happens even if the sheets I use are relatively heavy  The only reason why I bought this was because of its size and for random bits of writing grocery lists and such.

Staedtler Pigment Liner 0.8

Permanent, archival and waterproof are three things I look for in a drawing pen.  Why? Because I don’t want my lines to smudge once I start layering it with colors.  Things like felt-tip pens, brush pens and other colored inks will make your black lines run unless they use this type of ink.  Of all the disposable lightfast pens I use, this is the pricier one thus far.

Pigma Micron 0.5

Another archival pen, Microns also come in various nibs and have proven to be very reliable as part of my pen selection.  Waterproof and indelible, it comes in handy if you like layering your work with other water-based pens and prevents it from creating one giant mess.  I don’t know if it’s just my luck or if others have had a similar experience but the Micron tips tend to fray and soften a lot quicker than the other brands.

Uni Pin Fineliner 0.05

Before I discovered any of the pens I’ve mentioned, Uni Pin was actually the one I used a lot.  Perhaps it was because it was introduced to us in our high school art classes but it’s extremely sturdy. Like the Micron and Staedtler pens, Uni Pins are archival, waterproof and permanent.  I have not had a Uni Pin’s nib go bad on me up to its very last drop of ink.

This list is not absolute and base it solely on the brands I’ve come across. Some people can produce stellar and jaw-dropping work using even just an ordinary blue Bic ballpen.  It’s absolutely inspiring!  Do experiment with different types and see what fits best with your choice materials and imagination.

Other than those I’ve mentioned, what pens do you use for drawing?

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