A Blast from the Past… Some Early Drawing Attempts

I’ve found some old art work of mine when I was 8 or 9 years old. I was cringing and slightly amused at the same time, while flipping through my sketch pad, which is miraculously still intact. I don’t think many artists would even want you to look at their early drawings but I just found mines funny. I loved drawing Disney characters. I remembered I pulled most of these drawings from old Disney magazines I use to subscribe to. I worked on that Mulan figure for hours!




My parents taught me at a very early age that tracing and erasing are a big no, no. It sorta stuck with me all these years, but I’m still lenient on the erasing part. I realized as I got older, people who trace other works and pass it off as their own are absolutely shameless and an insult to artists. I think one day I have to thank them for instilling me with this thought. It provided a strong resistance to taking the easy route out, especially in the art field. You’ll be surprised at the amount of no, no’s I see in my design class.

Artist tip 101: Trust me when I say that you'll feel 1000 times better when presenting something drawn out your own hands.

28 Days in Europe…The Paris Finale in Versailles

Haven't updated in 2 weeks?...@_@Ouch...It's that pesky thing called life that gets in the way of everything doesn't it?

Looks like our days in France have almost run out. We had a blast and ran amok trying to soak in everything we could. The day before it rained, damping our Versailles trip, but I guess things worked out for the best because the next day was a perfect day to go to Versailles, sunny, not too cold or too hot. The grounds were stunning and immaculately well taken care of. It was autumn so the gardens weren’t in bloom, but I could only imagine what it would’ve looked like with the rose bushes, bursting with color. It took us a whole day to get through. And yes I was thinking of Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” movie all the way! I was totally prepared and watched that movie beforehand. I annoyingly pointed out the rooms that they shot in to my friend, who I think was more interested in French bakery shops then royal palaces.

Coincidentally, artist Jeff Koons, known for his large out of place sculptures, was features in some of the rooms of Versailles. I have to say I’m not the biggest fan of his work. I would have like to see the paintings on the walls without a giant plastic lobster in the way. But nonetheless it didn’t hinder my experience too much, and Jeff Koons will be Jeff Koons.

So our last day in Paris was by far the best. Until the next post... first class seats to Italia!





Click on the “30 Days in Europe” link to follow our EuroTrip.


Photos are free to take as stock images. Crediting is always appreciated! ^_^


Off to be a busy bee! BUZZ BUZZ!

A Sunday Flicks Edition: Reminder there is Persepolis...

Back with another review, this time an animated feature film called Persepolis. Based on an autobiographical graphic novel, it tells the story of the author Marjane Satrapi and her early childhood years living within a intolerant government regime in Iran. Outspoken political beliefs are banned, western culture is looked down upon, and all woman must dress modestly including wearing the black hijab veil.

This is a French language film. But with DVD there is English dubbing. Even though it's an animated film, it's smart and poignant about the politics and war. The animated style is also refreshing. Most of the film is drawn in simple black and white colors, representing the past of the author's childhood and adolescent years. There is nothing Disney about this film, but a very honest look during the Islamic Revolution through the eyes of a person who lived through it.

For the curious...the trailer and images:







Click on the "Sunday Flicks" link for more film reviews on the overlooked and underrated....

29 Days In Europe...On top of the Eiffel & An Evening of the Arts

This was the 2nd day...and we've only just begun our journey. Once the fact that we were in Paris sunk in, we roamed the streets, breathing in the Parisian air. The fact that Parisians are at the height of fashion are all true. From grandmothers, to kindergartners, everywhere we looked, they strutted the streets with chic wool coats and patent heels. The men groomed their nails in the subway (I'm not kidding)and the bums didn't even look like bums until they came up to us with a hat asking for Euros.

The Eiffel is of course a must see. With an hour wait time, I could not imagine what it would be like in the summer.

Even though our feet were killing us...well, as least mine were, after 8 hours of non-stop walking. We realize we didn't even eat lunch at all. That's how mesmerized we were. My friend and I grabbed a quick bite and off we went to the Louvre Museum for an evening of the arts. (FYI...Weds has a special opening until 9 PM with a discount.)





1 more day in Paris...what will be our next stop? Who knows...(we're young, we don't plan)

Click on the "30 Days in Europe" Link to follow our blog travels.

Photos are free to take as stock images. Crediting is appreciated!

Until the next blog countdown.

A Sunday Flicks Edition: Taking Shakespeare to Another Level

I've been a bad blogger...Last Sunday was particularly hectic for me, but I'm back with another review. I was in a strange mood for some English period movies. Browsing around I picked up the movie called “Stage Beauty” starring Claire Danes and Billy Crudup. After seeing Danes in the movie Romeo and Juliet and Stardust, I adored her ever since. I can see how every teen watched Baz Lurhman’s Romeo and Juliet can get starry eyed with romance. But “Stage Beauty” isn’t exactly a romance theme in the movie that is usually portrayed in 17th Century period films. But many have compared it to Shakespeare in Love. Remember Gwenth Paltrow pretending to be a man so that she can act? Well this is pretty much the opposite and not all lovey dovey as one might think. (A brief relief)

Taking the English stage by storm is Billy Crudup’s character Edward Kynaston a master actor in all feminine roles, in a time when it was illegal for a woman to even stand on stage. He had build his career on female parts but when King Charles decree that women are allowed to perform and men are banned from playing all female roles, he suddenly faces an identity crisis. (I kid you not) His dresser Maria (Clair Danes) who secretly has a passion for acting is suddenly thrust into the spotlight, being one of the first females to act on the English stage. A bitter Kynaston finds himself jobless, soulless, and lost about who his is.

I find it has a unique approach on the ins and outs of acting. It shows the process of acting, just like showing how an artist paints. It also deals with a strange mix of bisexual and homosexual identity during the time period. If a man was trained to play a woman all his life, would he have questions about his sexuality? Well I’m not the best person to explain this, and if you’re scratching your head and this, either intrigued or just weirded out, then I suggest you see this movie. Billy Crudup definitely brought a wonderful complexity to his characters that others could not do. And the best part is in the beginning and end sequence where Shakespeare’s play Othello is brilliantly portrayed in two different ways.

PS: Rupert Everett is the funniest King Charles I’ve ever seen.

Rated R for sexual themes.

For the intrigued Check out IMBD for more Info and trailers.

The Process of Digital Painting....Guess Who?

So I've been practicing my digital painting. I realized starting off with color went way over my head. So I've simplified it to black and white.

I'm not really a fan but I admit her luscious lips are fun to paint! ^_^

I took some caps of the process. I love recording and seeing how artists work...

Here's what I have so far. Took 2 days...

I know I know...The first one looks like Frankenstein!




I'll finish it when time stops or I've done my chores. I think the first is more likely! ^_^ LOL

Right now painting curly hair is too daunting to think about...@_@

I'm also trying to build some art pieces and plan for my second etsy shop. I hope art sells.

An Indie Version of "Sunday Flicks"

If your in the mood for some multi-lingual independent films "Clean" is one to recommend, spanning 3 cities in 3 countries in London, Vancouver, and Paris. It stars actress Maggie Cheung, known for her part in the Chinese film "Hero" and Nick Nolte. "Clean" is a film on drugs and rock and roll, following Maggie Cheung's character Emily Wang as a drug junkie trying to redeem herself after her failing rock-star husband dies from a drug over dose. She is determined to change her life to see her young son who is living with his grandparents.

Maggie Cheung proved that she could not only act but act in three different languages, English, French and Chinese. A majority of the film takes place in Paris and London, for which I found some reprieve after seeing too many "American movies" Some french sure gives me a kick after a trip from Paris. A language that was most missed after coming home. But this movie was also Maggie's shinning moment, winning best actress in the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.

Rated R for a lot of cussing...

For curious film goers, here the trailer from YOUTUBE

For more info check out IMDB

30 Days in Europe....First Stop....Paris!

So this past fall I graduate from college and thought to myself "I wanna see the world." And despite having no job, no money, and no prospects, it was the perfect time to go. Economy in the dumps, having all 4 years working towards a piece of paper that says "Look I was educated!" It didn't feel like much until I experience the world. So I raised the money and brought on a buddy for this EuroTrip. It was like the movie, only I was living it. Believe me that movie doesn't seem that far fetched after all. ^_^

Even though my bank account is exhausted. I'm glad I went and saw everything I wanted to see. Art, culture, meeting different people, bunking with other travelers, sleeping in hostels...

I've literally taken 4,000 photos give or take. @_@ The miracle of digital cameras! Since it's just sitting here on my desktop, I might as well share them. (Yeah I'm one of those who are too lazy to print them out. I can't even fathom how you print 4,000 pictures)

Hopefully you can be inspired by the pictures.

First Stop Paris!

Despite what a lot of people think I found the French charming and not as snooty as everyone claimed they are. Yeah, there are strange people everywhere and maybe I'm just a New Yorker being use to it. I said it was the best and weirdest 30 days of my life. But really just a polite "Merci" and "Bonjour" and they'll smile.

(Basilica Over looking Paris) (Details of the Notre Dame)
(Art History Anyone?) (My first Creme Bruele)
(The Orsay Museum) (An Awesome Paper Cutter!)




I'm off to finished whatever the hell I need to finish... I never have enough time to do everything I want in a day. Oh and that digital piece...still working on it! -_- I'll eventually post it...


Click on our 30 Days in Europe to follow our blog travels

Photos are free to take as stock images. Crediting is appreciated!!!

What??? Another edition of Sunday Flicks...^_^

I was shuffling through the bargin books section in Borders. And bought "The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology" Cause I love myths and legends and fairy tale stories. So for $9.99 I found something worth my time to read. While reading through the Greek and Roman myths (which I always found fascinating) I remembered the HBO television show "ROME" was a fantastic example of Ancient Roman culture, all the while being entertaining to boot.

This Sunday I recommend HBO's "ROME" Where sex, politics, and warefare dominate and you find yourself cringing and gripping at the edge of your seat. We've all seen the history chronciling Julius Ceasar and the Roman Republic. But not HBO style! A shame that the show has been cancelled after 2 years due to its costly production. But that 2 years leaves you satisfied and learning more about Roman history then you ever did in Global Studies.

It depicts ancient rome like no other. It's nitty and gritty, from the perspective of the lower class society of Rome. Which surprisingly I find has not been told by any other kind of movies or television. You get a real feel of what ancient life was really like, and believe me, I'm glad I'm born during the 20th century!

Actors Kevin Mckidd and Ray Stevenson lead the fray as Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, two Roman soliders admist during a pivitol historic time period, while Ciaran Hinds plays the most delicious, coldest, calculating Caesar I've ever seen. Actually the entire cast is as good as it gets in the film industry. Soild acting with gorgous production designs, fabulous music score and an intelligent script. What more do you want?

If you can I recommed watching the DVD set and watching it with the Director's commentaries and "All Roads Lead to Rome" text featurette. It give a lot , and I mean A LOT of insight into Roman culture and lifestyle and the history of the time.

Tho knowning it's HBO be prepared for bloody scenes and explicit sexual exploits. But knowing it's HBO, you know that it's quality television, perfect to spend on a not so busy weekend. (You might want to scoot little ones away, from this one)

For those of you who hasn't experience ROME on HBO, go for it! If you find yourself wanting more after season 1, season 2 gets even more intense then ever.

For more info check: IMDB and Wikipiedia

Check out the trailer of Season 1 from YOUTUBE

Some images for the curious:

A Late Night Edition of Sunday Flicks

Hey all,

It's a late post but I really really really want to keep up with my flick reviews. I just love movies to death! I'm such a film junkie...@_@

For this post I recommend "The Banquet" or (USA Title) "The Legend of the Black Scorpion" Which seems like two different meanings. I really don't know why they changed the International Title. Personally I much prefer "The Banquet" It make more sense when you see the movie.

This is a fantastic Chinese Film starring Zhang Zi Yi (Memoirs of a Geisha). Other chinese actors include You Ge, Daniel Wu, and Xun Zhou, who aren't known in the USA that well, but are fantastic actors.

Set in ancient China, this story is loosely based on Shakespears Hamlet, which reminicse many of the characters and plots, following the Chinese Imperial family. After the Emperor's brother (You Ge) murders him and takes the throne. The crown Prince (Daniel Wu) comes home to seek revenge. While the Empress (Zi Yi Zhang) has her own agenda in the plot for revenge. Full of intrigue, romance, drama, it's beautifully shot with lyrical martial arts, theatrical costumes, and jaw dropping set designs. If you've watch a lot of Chinese films, this kind of film with love, revenge and backstabbing in the Imperial family is pretty common, but I think this movie, for old and new comers is a beautiful sight to see.
I can say for sure it's very artistically filmed. Did I mention the gorgeous costumes????

Rated R for Violent Scenes.

For more info check out IMDB

The International Trailer from YOUTUBE (jaw dropping)

And some images to wet your appetite: