owl eng

The boundary that i have been building all these years

2012-01-11T21:54:00.003+09:00

It is so impactful that i could hardly get myself out of it. It is full of worries, anxieties and fears....turning me away from savouring those wonders and beauties that are always right in front of me. Where is my gratefulness?

i did not go to any count down party

2011-12-31T20:45:00.002+09:00

Instead, i had used straw, some food colouring and watercolours to play for self entertainment. Here is the end product. Some owls are counting down to the new year with the lovely moon.
Hoot Hoot Happy 2012

When the rabbits are here

2011-12-29T20:59:00.003+09:00

It is time to wake up from my hibernation and get drawing

my sick days had been cheered up by these beautiful flowers

2011-12-11T15:39:00.001+09:00

My mom had placed those beautiful carnations at the kitchen window. They had cheered up my days when i was having sore throat and running nose. thanks mom, for this graceful touch.

Owl Lover 2012 Free Calendar from My Owl Barn

2011-10-22T00:19:00.003+09:00

Hi, everyone! There is great news from My Owl Barn! The "Owl Lover 2012" calendar is up!!!!

Their unique calendar for year 2011 received phenomenal response! It was downloaded over 100,000 times and over 10,000 readers liked it on Facebook.

Do take a peek and exploring all the 45 wonderful images . It will make a perfect Christmas gift to your family and friends or even a gift to yourself!

Learn more about this collaborative project and get your FREE calendar now!

Accompanying this wonderful customization, Old Shanghai Online has offered an owl tea set as a giveaway to My Owl Barn reader. The lucky winner will get to choose the color (from here) of the tea set.

1. To enter, you must be a follower of My Owl Barn (click here to follow My Owl Barn)

2. Like My Owl Barn on Facebook, and

3. Share this giveaway on Facebook

Make sure you leave a comment @ My Owl Barn to let the host know that you are a follower and have liked and shared. And, the winner will be announced sometime on October 28th.

I have painted and contributed the following artwork to this collaborative project ;)

trying to handle the anxiety

2011-10-16T00:12:00.000+09:00

Coming home

2011-09-03T11:46:00.001+09:00

Safe and sound

Happy Happy everyday

2011-08-21T11:27:00.000+09:00

IF: Imperfect

2011-08-07T09:11:00.006+09:00

"Imperfect"

"Focus"

"Hate to say goodbye"

Imperfect in everything- that is why sketching and exploration are always fun ;)

Post drawings from my 1st dive trip

2011-07-19T20:32:00.000+09:00

I want to dedicate this piece to my diving instructor, Lea Meng. Without her, i wouldn't make it through my open water diving test.
The underwater was truly fascinating. i was amazed at its beauty and wonders.
it (not realistically depicted, just my impression) was done in quick sketch using ink after my last dive trip to get my license... but it took me nearly 3 months to apply complete it by applying the watercolour (finally). what a procrastinator am I!

The underwater residents might have wondered who the clumsy 'alien' was.

Proposal

2011-05-24T22:39:00.001+09:00

"Will you like to take care of my heart for the rest of your life?"

Solitary

2011-05-07T08:07:00.002+09:00

He is one of the young minds who have taught me how to live in the present.

A lesson learnt

2011-05-03T22:12:00.000+09:00

Leave the comfort zone... and take a leap of faith

to keep myself awake

2011-04-11T20:16:00.002+09:00

I have been keeping all my sleepiness into bottles.. to deal with deadlines.
But last night the Moon gave me a gentle reminder.
She said, "it is not worthy to give away your health to work... my dear."

If: Duet

2011-04-03T23:12:00.001+09:00

Music is a great peacemaker

My loyal toy that is invisible

2011-03-26T11:42:00.007+09:00

this is the only toy that i still keep with me since i knew it.
it is my 'dream'.
it is always deep inside my heart.
whenever i forget to spend time with it, it would come up and bug me to play with it. It always fills me with joy, passion and hope for life.
it used to follow me wherever i go...but recently, under the pressing deadlines, i could not feel its presence anymore. it never comes. it never tells me how much it wants to be with me.
computer and assignments have taken its place as my new toy..
Have i lost you?

The Moon is on vacation

2011-03-13T08:54:00.006+09:00

They told me they could not see or find the moon anymore.
But i know where she is.
She is somewhere else on our earth...
She has wanted to have a short holiday with us, as she has always been impressed with our beautiful earth and colourful cultures.
However after two days of her observation, she told me she is deeply stirred by the fact that we do not appreciate and take care of the unique treasures we have.
And, i am truly ashamed of this.

impromptu

2011-03-11T21:51:00.002+09:00

Just a quick drawing on a plastic wrapper for a cheese bread that was swallowed into my stomach during tea break, before it was crumpled and thrown into the dustbin.
i took a marker pen from my colleague's desk without asking for her permission. and it was returned to her without her knowing...

IF: Layer

2011-02-19T17:59:00.003+09:00

Recently have this kind of feeling - missing my target, just like this cat which is unable to see through the layers of confusion and has difficulty of staying focused on its goal.

Need to spend some time to get cool down and peel off all the illusions.

Happy Chinese New Year

2011-02-04T12:25:00.002+09:00

Gong xi fa cai!!
may all of us have a prosperous year ahead!!

my anxiety surrendered when the moon said this to me

2011-01-30T22:57:00.005+09:00

All were asleep.
Except me.
"Come gal, let me take you for a walk." said the moon.
it was such profound peace....
that i couldn't remember if we had really gone for a walk together...
as i was in deep slumber finally

Blurred artist

2011-01-30T12:45:00.006+09:00

This painting had been made quite some time ago for my entry to owl lover project organized by My Owl Barn.

Can you tell why i called the owl artist as blurred artist?

P.S, i have mixed feelings when uploaded this image. it is very different from my current drawing style. i love this change.. and i am very happy about this evolution which just comes naturally...
yet i am still worried about some other things i haven't achieved. will i make it happen?
am i depressed by this rain season?
have i lost my patience?

my first marionett

2011-01-28T21:58:00.005+09:00

This is my very first DIY marionett based on my previous 'stalker' drawing. It's very simple to make one..
May try making an owl ;)

The first 4 drawings in my first moleskine (3.5 x 5.5 inches)

2011-01-15T13:41:00.007+09:00

It is different to work on moleskine compared to the usual sketch books or water colour paper. It is kind of smoother and the paper seems to be slightly water resistant.

Illustration Friday: Resolution

2011-01-01T13:53:00.004+09:00

A rework on one of the old used canvases.

Just like wiping out the previous drawing with white gesso, i do hope that my 2011 can begin with fresh eyes and renewed mind - continues to be blessed by God's grace. And, everyday is a great present to live and to love!

And, yes, the old marks cannot be totally erased. The traces (the scars) can still be seen... yet they will be my stepping stone to move on.

Happy New Year.

Mail which is timeless

2010-12-19T10:36:00.003+09:00

What is more exciting than rediscovering the joy of ancient wisdom in the midst of anxieties and uncertainties...

IF: Savour

2010-11-30T23:28:00.002+09:00

Let's just savour our comfort food and friendship right now... we have each other...despite all the
hostile encounters.

IF: Sneaky

2010-11-22T18:20:00.000+09:00

Tender Heart

2010-11-18T10:58:00.002+09:00

The savanah heat must have burnt its ferocity away...
They found its tender heart instead.

Yeah!! it's Bath Time again

2010-11-15T18:36:00.003+09:00

Stalker or ????

2010-11-12T10:45:00.001+09:00

are you sure they are stalkers? maybe they are just your new neighbors who, also like you, take the same route home daily.

Rescue

2010-11-10T12:24:00.006+09:00

Another day of waiting.... this time really need a saviour...
(staring blankly at the stuff again... i felt as if i was trapped inside the bottle waiting for rescue miracle)

Waiting...

2010-11-09T11:24:00.008+09:00

Waiting for the confirmed good news to finalize the decision...
I welcome any good news but I hate decision making...
In this process, just hope i won't get anybody hurt.

(When i am being extremely lost and do not what to do next, i am inclined to stare blankly
at my surrounding. The above drawing came to my mind when i stared at the vase as shown
below for quite some time. Birdie, bear, little little stuff just sprung up like that, taking their own
positions on the branches)

Long Weekend Is Finally Here

2010-11-04T11:46:00.003+09:00

Happy Deepavali!! and happy long weekend to myself!
If the sun is not that scorching, we may hang out in botanic garden and get ourselves charged with vitamin D.

IF: Spent

2010-11-02T14:44:00.003+09:00

She likes to spend her leisure after lunch brushing her teeth, a new hobby she finds it useful to get away from school routines by daydreaming.

IF: Racing

2010-10-24T20:51:00.002+09:00

oh gosh! the sheep lose the race again...
one more night of insomnia...

Halloween is coming!!

2010-10-20T23:40:00.001+09:00

Made it digital from the previous sketch for IF: Spooky.

i have a rough day today

2010-10-19T22:47:00.001+09:00

Illustration Friday: Spooky

2010-10-18T21:29:00.002+09:00

Even in the broad daylight, the owl can feel something very spooky...

new encounter

2010-10-15T21:21:00.002+09:00

The turtle had always thought he knew his territory inside out.
Yet today he just found out he had taken his routine for granted for so long that he never knew he had the low-profile sea urchins as his long-time neighbours since he 1st came to the sea after the hatching.

IF: Transportation

2010-10-11T12:33:00.003+09:00

I had ever fallen off into the water due to my poor balancing skill...

(pic taken in Ju Ming Art Museum, Taipei, sculptor- Mr Ju Ming and further manipulated with photoshop)

Owl Lover 2011 Free Calendar!!!

2010-10-09T22:30:00.005+09:00

Hi hi, Shivani from My Owl Barn has invited me to participate in a collaborative project - "Owl Lover 2011 Calendar".
You can pick and choose the image you love from 30 beautiful owl-themed artworks for each month at this wonderful website. The customization is easy and all this is for free!!

Happy 6th anniversary

2010-10-07T14:58:00.004+09:00

We never forget how thrilled we were when we first own our very 1st tiny house...
Our daily activities - sleep, eat, recreation were no longer confined to 4ft x 3ft room we rented for 3 years. Yes, we could have shower anytime, more space for our laundry, more rooms for storage!!
It does evolve with us.. It is organic.. It is our nest

Illustration Friday: Beneath

2010-10-03T20:39:00.001+09:00

Beneath the sea surface, it is what really goes on...

IF: Dessert

2010-09-05T10:31:00.003+09:00

Lil En just finished her dessert for the evening. what will be the next?

IF: Immovable

2010-08-30T10:21:00.001+09:00

all are frozen at this very moment except the drooling

IF: Star Gazing

2010-08-16T20:49:00.002+09:00

The star gazing has become owl gazing instead!!

IF: Caged

2010-08-10T20:57:00.001+09:00

The best remedy to all-year-round summer

2010-08-03T21:46:00.002+09:00

Rest

2010-07-15T18:39:00.005+09:00

I have to let my stomach rest well... .
I used to take it for granted until the recent gastric pain which was intolerable indeed.
Despite of previous pain attack and instead of taking good care of it, i still paid no attention to it by leaving it at the mercy of anxiety, frustration, stress, irregular meals and lack of rest.
What the doctors and my neighbour shared with me these two days had sent chills down my spine. I have to pray that whatever damage caused to my poor stomach can be undone with God's grace.

(Spotting this cute bicycle when having lunch at a foodcourt near my place two weeks ago. It rested quietly awaiting for its master to return while human beings in the surrounding busily hustled around. Watching it had brought me a great sense of being in in the present and peace)

(Had it captured with new camera under different shutter speeds)

IF: Diary

2010-07-13T00:17:00.003+09:00

One of my diary pages.
Not many words. Usually furnished with visuals instead. it is up to individual's interpretation if the diary gets lost ;)

Illustration Friday: Satellite

2010-06-27T15:14:00.003+09:00

Recently there are some 'satellites' bugging me all the time.
No matter how hard i tried, they just do not want to go away from me.

My dream island

2010-06-24T23:15:00.002+09:00

new skyline??

2010-06-15T21:02:00.006+09:00

Lately i must have been too bored....
I even took out those shells collected from our previous vacations,
and started to play with them...

Illustration Friday: Slither

2010-06-01T01:08:00.001+09:00

Dictionary definition of slither by the Free Online Dictionary is to move or slide or cause to move or slide unsteadily, as on a slippery surface.

No matter how hard the owl is trying to fit herself into the penguin circle, her slithers tell us the reality.

Happy Weekend!!

2010-05-22T11:38:00.002+09:00

Leverage

2010-05-17T22:51:00.004+09:00

the never-say-die mice had leveraged those equipments and tools around them to put an end to the slavery at their workplace.

Illustration Friday: Fearless

2010-05-10T21:48:00.005+09:00

Owls need to get out of their comfort zone and embark on a fearless trip
Fearless for change
Fearless for rejection
Fearless for failure...
To reveal who they really are
To live life to the fullest

Illustration Friday: Cocoon

2010-05-03T22:37:00.003+09:00

Is there any cocoon of love in this world for those hurt souls seeking comfort even for merely 5-min ride?

Illustration Friday: Ahead

2010-04-25T22:20:00.005+09:00

She is really AHEAD of her peers in goal setting.
At age of 5 years old, this little gal has already set her mind in becoming a great dancer as her creative dream and vocation.
She understands very well the law of attraction! Having herself embraced by the pictures inspiring her, the plannings she already sketched and the dance costumes & accessories (though most of them belong to her mum, she knows for sure she is going to shine one day!! in fact, she is a great dancer already.
p.s: May all of us have the same positive attitudes and mindset like hers in living out our creative dreams.
and do not forget to visit this cool website: www.illustrationfriday.com

Illustration Friday: Detective

2010-04-19T23:29:00.003+09:00

really late for last Illustration friday theme

2010-04-11T12:46:00.002+09:00

my procrastination has caused the delayed posting of the last IF theme 'Dip'.
i have been pondering if a dip will help satisfy our insatiable needs.

Enemy in disguise

2010-04-06T21:19:00.003+09:00

Illustration Friday: Rescue

2010-03-28T09:56:00.002+09:00

Those mice thought they had been rescued by the owl, the great hero.
However, some of them finally realized that they were actually falling into another trap of endless predator-prey cycle.

for more illos on 'Rescue', kindly visit Illustration Friday.

illustration friday: subterranean

2010-03-12T08:49:00.002+09:00

This illo has been posted for IF: Germ before sometimes back in last year.
I think it may be suitable for this week's theme.

Illustration Friday: Perspective

2010-02-28T15:33:00.003+09:00

Illustration Friday: Propagate

2010-02-20T22:05:00.004+09:00

Kids are the great propagators for wonders. A stroll with my little niece is always full of surprises and joys. She always wakes my inner child up! to see and feel the beauty in the our surrounding which we adults have taken for granted.

IF: focused

2010-01-31T14:51:00.001+09:00

let's pray everyday is a brand new day for everyone

2010-01-28T17:47:00.006+09:00

Nobody would like to reject or run away from nice greetings.

Warming up

2010-01-22T22:32:00.002+09:00

A birthday greeting card for a friend's daughter.
It has been quite a while since the last one made for my young sis last july.
Not a perfect one but it was a good attempt to get myself back into the art & craft stuff ;D

Illustration Friday: Confined

2010-01-09T21:04:00.001+09:00

This puppy cannot take its eyes off the flying kite...
It has its sights, its movement, its entire mind and soul confined to the kite...
It just follows wherever the kite heads to.

Daily Devotional

2010-01-06T22:06:00.004+09:00

Romans 1:16
'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...'

Illustration Friday: Renewal

2010-01-02T21:12:00.001+09:00

New Year = Renewal of body + mind + soul?

Health is everything

2009-12-30T10:09:00.004+09:00

My new year resolution.

Without it, I can't really achieve other things else...

(Artwork provided by my 5 yo student)

Ilustration Friday: Hatch

2009-12-15T10:07:00.006+09:00

Lately I have become a prisoner lacking of idea...
Wondering when those eggs of ideas are going to hatch and set me free.

IF: Entangled

2009-11-29T22:20:00.002+09:00

Self-help with the right tool is the key to resolve that issue...

IF: Blur

2009-11-08T18:40:00.003+09:00

Octopus: "Am I in the sky now?"

Time off due to...

2009-11-01T19:03:00.004+09:00

This pic was taken at National Geography shop some time ago
I am going to take 2-week time off from blogging.
Need to fix the business report which i had started off in the wrong direction...
(Sorry for not visiting your beautiful blogs for this period)

IF: Fast

2009-10-25T19:00:00.002+09:00

I had no intention to outrun them. I just wanted to get to toilet as soon as possible!!

IF: Flying

2009-10-12T17:37:00.002+09:00

.
"Where has the sun been hiding? And when can I fly for fun again?"

IF: Pattern

2009-09-26T00:18:00.006+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

This coming Halloween, the owl family wants to introduce to us oriental pattern into their costumes.
Nice?

My drawings are featured in My Owl Barn!!

2009-09-23T22:11:00.005+09:00

I am very thrilled and feeling very honoured that my blog has been featured in My Owl Barn, which has been one of my favourite websites. This beautiful website is created by Shivani and it features all the beautiful and inspiration owl designs!!! Visiting it daily has become essential part of my routine. Thanks Shivani!

IF: Infinite

2009-09-19T00:01:00.013+09:00

It must have been God leaving those happy messages in the garden for all of us. The owls cannot wait to grab all of the messages home as they do not want to miss any opportunity to feel His infinite love and joy. So what are you waiting for?

IF: Welcome

2009-09-13T20:05:00.004+09:00

Everybody is here to congratulate the mommy owl and welcome the 4 baby owls to this beautiful world...
However, the mouse does not have happy encounter with this newcomer. The baby owl is more interested in the mouse's tail than the cheese.

Stay unperturbed

2009-09-09T19:10:00.005+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

No matter how upsetting the world has become, i just want to be rooted in God's word.

IF: Strong

2009-09-06T22:22:00.002+09:00

Even a small gossip is too strong for this sensitive boy to take...

IF: Magnify

2009-08-30T16:26:00.004+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

We would not be bothered much by a problem if we stop magnifying it.

IF: Caution

2009-08-23T19:11:00.007+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

It is nearly 3am. Yet the frustrated owl can't still get into sleep again, as the number #1010 sheep has disrupted the owl's routine of counting sheep in the bed.
Despite the owl's efforts of signaling the sign post and drawing the directions on the wall, this careless sheep still ignores the cautions, deviates from the track and has itself bumped into the head board again.
(Does it explain well enough why owls do not sleep at night? heehee)

Cravings

2009-08-19T15:10:00.004+09:00

I miss blue sea, less crowded space and the freedom to be myself...

IF: Wrapped

2009-08-16T18:51:00.004+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

Wrapped or trapped?

This naive owl is still unaware of the rats' real intention of having this party...

Departure

2009-08-13T23:12:00.006+09:00

This colleague of mine, Jing Jing is going back to Taiwan for good.
Today was her last working day with us.
Though I know her merely for less than 2 months, her cheerfulness and easy-going personality do impress me a lot.
Just want to thank her for being a friend and wish her all the best for her future endeavours.

IF: Impatience

2009-08-10T00:38:00.005+09:00

Impatience is inevitable when come to sharing love with more people.

It creeps in again...

2009-08-05T23:24:00.005+09:00

(click image to enlarge)

I feel it again.

It jams up my brain. I just feel like doing nothing and let myself fall down... (meantime to get rid of those silly 'burdens')

IF: Modify

2009-08-02T21:59:00.005+09:00

(click image to enlarge)

Modify a cat to an owl??

One year older or maturer???

2009-07-26T19:12:00.006+09:00

My sis is a July baby. From this year on, she has one new family member for her birthday celebration every year. A 4-month baby boy, who loves company and laughing.

Here's the little card for her. Sort of a little family portrait of hers. Even the envelope couldn't get away with my scribbles. ;p

Two little angels and my sis's precious...

IF: Idle??

2009-07-24T21:41:00.002+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

I was conducting a chinese ink painting class for these 5-year-old kids. All of the kids had their smock aprons worn properly except this little girl, Alexa. Well, maybe she was just idle and not in the mood to draw or paint. Worried that the class might be overrun as I have another class to make after this, I had to help her put on the apron and had the velcro fastened quickly and nicely in front of her chest.

After my demonstration, all of them (but Alexa again) begun to play with the colours on the rice papers.

I was anxious and asking why she was sitting silently on her chair and staring at the blank paper. Here's her reply, "Teacher, how can i draw as I was tied by you to the chair?"

Oh my goodness! How careless I was. I had made her immobile by tying her whole body and the chair together with velcro.

Embarassed and guilty, I quickly unfastened the velcro and apologised to her... She might have wondered why she was tied to the chair. And I might say it's not her day today. To run into such a muddle-headed teacher like me...

In harmony with nature

2009-07-21T20:32:00.004+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

IF: Tango

2009-07-19T21:32:00.002+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

Game @ night

2009-07-14T00:53:00.005+09:00

A game played with rats for a sleepless night...

can you gauge how many rats having fun with the kitty?

IF: Hollow

2009-07-12T17:46:00.004+09:00

(Click image to enlarge)

While still navigating through the hollowness inside my exhausted mind, i found this piece of image that makes me feel better for a second.