Old Gems

I was looking through a stack of my old paintings to pick out a few better ones to show a
potential customer last week when I spotted two quarter sheets that I have painted a couple of years ago. I thought they were just ordinary, nothing outstanding when I finished painting them, so I just kept them with my other paintings then. But when I saw them again last week after two long years, they seemed to offer a different aesthetic values than I remembered last time.

Now, I can appreciate the foggy effect on the background of Misty River and the lost and found edges on the boats and distant houses; I also liked the economy of strokes in Sarawak Longhouse and the bold spontaneous brushstrokes that suggested the trees and foliages.

Misty River (10" x 14")
SOLD

Sarawak Longhouse (10" x 14")
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I guess it is same with life sometimes. We do not seem to put much importance on what we already have; we hardly have time to ponder and cherish what we have in front of us. When we looked back, we tend to remember the good old days when we were still kids, or when we were still in school, or when we were still enjoying life as care-free college students or young adults. Perhaps things aren't the same anymore, but do cherish what we have at this very moment as things do not stand still.... time waits no one so be grateful and enjoy the good times and learn from the bad ones.

Sunset Cruise - Chao Phraya River, Bangkok

Here's something a little different from me, a sunset!
This is a scene along Chao Phraya River, which flows through the heart of Bangkok City, the capital of beautiful Thailand.

I was there in November 2005 and again in March last year for work related seminars. I spent whatever free time I had taking photos of the lovely place, but considering the tight schedule, I only have a handful of good ones. However, I did take a short cruise along the Chao Phraya River during sunset and the view was simply breathtaking. So, here it is, my impression of the stunning sunset I experienced that day.

Here's the painting...

Sunset Cruise - Chao Phraya River, Bangkok (11" x 15")
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and here's the close-up shots...

Hope you like it. Comments and Critiques are welcome as usual.

Boat Quay, Singapore River

Boat Quay, Singapore River (11" x 15")
SOLD

This is Boat Quay, along Singapore River which I have painted on many occassions, both from studio and plein air. Scenes like this along Singapore River have always been the favourite painting subjects of Singapore's pioneer watercolourists such as Lim Cheng Hoe, Gog Sing Hooi and T.Y. Choy just to name a few.

Although I didn't have the chance to meet these late artists, I am fortunate enough to hear many great stories about their masterful skills and energy in promoting the art of watercolour to the younger generation. Together with a group of artists, they would gather around Singapore River every Sunday morning without fail. Every view, every angle along Singapore River had been covered by these amazing group of painters.

Today, the traditions of painting plein air on Sunday morning is kept alive by us, members of Singapore Watercolour Society, where we paint all over Singapore. Although I may not be able to do this week in week out now, I will try my best to go out and paint as often as I can as nothing beats the direct observation of the painting subjects, where the results are often fresh and spontaneous... and it's more fun painting together with friends than doing it alone in the studio.