Happy 2010!!

Top is a greeting card for my friend. Below is the storyboard for Hot Wheel Wii game commercial. Storyboard artwork is copyrighted by the studios.

BTW, I just up-dated my web-site with a new resume, new paintings and up-coming gallery show up-dated.

Happy Boxing Day and A Great New Year!!

Christmas card for friends!! Below is a commercial board for Chaotic. Copyrighted by the studios.

I pocoyize me!!!

Have a Wonderful Christmas!!

People often ask me how I come up with an idea and how I paint. Here I try to put together a work-in-progress posting, and share my creative process.

Usually I start an idea with a story. I try to think about what story I want to tell, and then develop the layout and art style around the story. That's kind of why I don't always paint or draw the same. When I do quick sketches, I may use a shorthand or whatever style come naturally at the time. when I draw. But once I find the story, and nail the layout of the painting, I would look for a style that I feel ... would be the most suitable expression for that particular painting.

This painting here, is my opinion on the current economy situation. The bear symbolizes "bad economy" - "Bear market" ... the bull symbolizes "Wealth" - "Bull market" ... The "little" people, symbolize the general public ... everyday people like ourselves try to struggle, and work hard to bring back prosperity. This piece is done specifically for IMOW - Economica.

The previous posting is the rough idea draft of the painting. This set of posting, from bottom to top, is the step by step thinking process of this painting. I don't like the look of the rough draft from the previous post, but I like the storytelling ... I feel like there is a strong voice there. It's working in the sense that it expresses my opinion about the current economy situation, and my hope towards the situation in the new year. So the second step, is to find a better way to visually display the idea, and how to make the painting looks prettier. LOL

Once, I figure out the style of the painting, the last step is to put everything together ... and I come up with the top layout. I sort of go for a Tiepolo mural composition style, a bit abstract and graphical design ... well ... have to admit, I am influenced by the Sargent's murals, which I saw in Boston last month, I love how he use iconography to make statements ... although my piece has a strong social and political statement behind it, I don't want it to feel like a newspaper political cartoon.

Not that I have problem with political cartoon, I love them. But I do want the painting to be time lasting, and people could appreciate it visually outside of the political context, and don't mind to hang it out their wall. At least, personally, I wouldn't mind to hang it on my own wall. LOL

This is illustration will be featured at Economica at the International Museum of Women web-site.

Cooking up idea ...

Been busy with holidays and other stuffs lately ... I try to find time cooking up my next painting idea ... this is a rough draft of an idea, which I have been playing with lately. Not very happy with this design. Still need to think some more ...

iClary game commercial storyboard - copyrighted by the studios.

Merry Christmas!!

Dear all,
Have a VERY MERRY TOASTY TASTY FUN Christmas!!
I do these storyboard up-date a while ago. but haven't get to post it yet, so here is an alternative opening.

Just receive news from International Museum of Women. My artwork is accepted for Economica: Women and the Global Economy Exhibition.

Last bit of Boston sketches ...

Top is the Public Garden; Middle is some doodles at the Boston symphony; bottom is the Library ... as for the very last one on the left ... it's not Boston ... it's a left over unfinished sketch from Pasadena City Hall. Painting watercolor in Boston is a unique experience too ... the weather is much more humid then LA. It takes a longer time for watercolor to evaporate. I draw the garden on a rainy day ... take me forever to get the blocking done LOL But on the other hand ... you don't need as much water to get a "wet" look!! HA! HA! HA!!

Boston Fun continue

Top left - Paul Revere statue; Top right - A fancy steak house ... I didn't eat there. LOL Too expensive; Middle left - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum - love this museum. The architecture itself is stunning and the collection are wonderful!! They don't allow photography and wet media drawing material at this museum, so I decide to do an ink drawing; Middle right - Fine Art Book Department at the Boston Public Library. I love this library!! The library itself is stunning and very much like a museum. They have BEAUTIFUL murals ... I end up spend hours and hours sitting at the Sargent gallery, starring at his murals! Bottom left is the Art Department of Boston University. Draw this while sitting at Starbucks eating breakfast and waiting for the Boston Symphony to open its door.

My last day at Boston, I visit a local elementary school and show a 4th grade class how to make their own cartoon caricature. I never teach little kids before, it's amazing how creative and fast a child learn. It's an unforgettable and inspiring experience.

My paintings are showing at the International Museum of Women, please come and check them out. Also I just updated my web-site with up-coming gallery shows info and a new podcast.

Back from Boston!!

Just get back from Boston late last night ... the trip is awesome!! Boston Symphony ROCKS!! I can't get enough of Sargent's Murals!! Top two sets are sketches from Boston ...

Top left, view across Paul Revere's house; Right view from my hotel window at night. Bottom left, quickly while waiting at the symphony ... not smart drawing in dim light. LOL Unfortunately do a bunch of those while trying to kill time ... may be I should get one of them little book light one of these days. LOL The owl is drawn near Quincy market ... so cute and fluffy!

This metal thingie is some Battle Star Galactica stuffs I did long ago for Technicolor. Battle Star Galactica is copyrighted by the studios.