Thursday, January 31, 2013

Witness the Soulful Visual Arts by Contemporary Artists

Thursday, January 31, 2013
Announcement: 

G13 Gallery, the latest contemporary art platform in Kuala Lumpur is please to start off the year 2013
with an exciting group exhibition entitled ‘20@13’. Featuring paintings, sculptures and other innovative
forms of expression by 20 of today’s best upcoming contemporary and mid career visual artists, “20@13”
is a rich showcase of eclectic works that celebrates the current and innovative approaches as spearheaded by these bold artists while offering a glimpse of what this new and exciting gallery has lined up for the rest of the year. The participating artists in this exhibition namely Roslisham Ismail (Ise), Suklu, Jeganathan, Aely Manaf, Kang Jye, Cheev, Faizal Suhif, Haslin Ismail, Agustian, Donald Abraham, Wayan Suja, Seah Ze Lin, Liu Cheng Hua, Sharil Nizam Ahmad, EH Chee, Suhaimi Fadzir, Azad Daniel, Ilham Fadli (Kojak) & Yeoh Kean Thai




Exhibition Runs: 12th January – 9th February 2013

Venue: G13 Gallery
            GL13 , Ground Floor, Block B
            Kelana Square, Jalan SS7/26
            Kelana Jaya

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday: 11.00am – 5.00pm (Closed on Public Holiday)


*Information by G13 Gallery
*Image courtesy of G13 Gallery

How to Upcycle Your Clothes


I love clothes and I love fabrics. At one time, I have to admit, I was obsessed with the fabric, pattern and colours of clothing, and would hoard it even if it is not my size. And so, after spending so much energy on collecting all the “attractive” clothes I can find, I also ended up facing a dilemma of being a total clutter.

What are my Dilemmas:
1. Throwing away is probably not the best idea; money has been wasted, along goes with the energy put in by the creators of the apparels.

2. Donating it might be a good idea, but what if when there’s some form of sentimental value or personal attachment to it? one just has to instantly look for a solution, like me.

3. What about selling it as Pre-loved items, you’d ask. Well, what if you have also felt troublesome to snap pictures of your dress at different angles, load it up and measure it every time someone enquires?

And so, just like every girl with a wardrobe dilemma, I too have all three of the mentioned issues. 

Can’t Even Fit it over my Head!
If you are facing this problem, you are probably experiencing dilemma No.2.
You see, it has been sometime I have been keeping my baby tees that are tad too small for me. And these baby tees are from my college days- it has been 8 years and I am still keeping them, not because I am hoping that I will be able to shrink and fit in them again, but because I love the fabric, colours and pattern that I find it such a waste to get rid of it.

After much thought, here is my solution:
1. Cut it up!


2. Make fabric remnant pieces out of it


3. Make strings out of the other cut-up pieces 


4. Roll the fabrics up and tie em' with the fabric-strings!


Repeat this process with all your other unwanted clothes
Stash them neatly in a bag or somewhere convenient,
and you are ever ready to craft!



*Photos credits to SL Art & Photography 2013

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

I like painting like Frida

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

My 'Paint Like Frida' Art
Marker on Paper

To read more about Frida Kahlo, visit here

Revealing a little something from my Journal to Pick Up Your Day
Read about my inspiration here

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Creativity redefined by artist Alisa Burke

Thursday, January 24, 2013
alisa_burke_mixed_media_artist
Image credits to Alisa Burke
In my recent weblogs discovery, I came across another artistic and inspiring blog to add into my creative database. Alisa Burke redefines creativity through her paintings as a Mixed Media Artist and soulful life. Reading her uplifting blog makes you want to shift things around and see life in a different light. I encourage you to drop by her blog if you would like a helping of soul-food: Alisa Burke


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The Universe is Creative by Nature too

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Morning glories is the universe's way of wishing you "good morning, dear creatives"
On my way out to work this morning, I spotted this beautiful morning glory, twirled around the gate of the empty house next door. I wondered to myself, how come I didn't notice this before? Surely it was here all along...

I couldn't resist taking a photo of it. (And Instagram-ing it)

At the sight of the glorious flower, it reminded me of a few things in my life:
1. The memory of my old house where I grew up; where most of my creative nurturing took place
2. Memory of my mother once taught me how to make colouring out of morning glories
3. Memory of my mother and I making homemade dough for me to play (something we often did together)

These 3 things nurtured my creativity, and I give thanks to it because it was what made me special. And I am grateful for realizing this. As I have mentioned before, my creativity before this was bind by boundaries based by the ways we were taught, told and instructed to follow. But with this awakening, I became more in touch my Self, and remembering the purest form of creativity that I discovered as a child (despite certain strict parenting ways). The purest form of Creativity was discovered, explored and experienced in simple ways like drawing without restrictions, dancing to music, smelling flowers and running with the other children freely! Using paper, fabric, etc. to make stuff... so simple.

With this, I also realized that the Universe itself is Creative in Nature too, just like our selves.
The shape of a leaf, the colour of a flower, how a shadow is formed...clouds in the sky...waves in the sea... so much more.

So, don't be surprise if someone says we are ONE with the Universe; that is because we are all Creative by Nature too. Hope this will be able to inspire you today.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Watch: Frida (2002)

Sunday, January 20, 2013
via

Known as the "One eyebrow lady in the painting", Hollywood actress Salma Hayek plays Frida Kahlo in the movie Frida (2002). 

Frida the movie had a mix of humorous yet sad emotion. Humorous perhaps because of Frida’s revolutionary and authentic personalities, sad because of the physical pain she has to endure along with the flamboyant lifestyle she shared with her political artist/muralist husband Diego Riviera. (Which I must say, his art also has similar vibrant colours. I think I am now a fan of Mexican cultural art and its elements)

Frida was a self-taught artist, a surrealist painter. She was an expressive artist who paints intuitively, chanelling all her thoughts and emotions into her artwork. To quote from the movie on Frida painting intuitively,

“…I can’t paint like this. I paint what I see, but you… you paint from here,” 

said Diego, pointing to Frida’s heart.


--
To read more about Frida Kahlo, visit here

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

HEY! It’s the No.1 Online Fashion’s COLOUR RED Campaign!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013



I’m excited to share that ZALORA is currently ushering the CHINESE NEW YEAR of Abundance with RED and lots of it!

CAMPAIGN Name: Inspi-Red with lots and lots of deals for online shoppers!

The colour Red is a grounded colour. A strong colour that is expressive and it is a festive colour that boosts the celebration mood. While the Chinese’s tradition is to wear RED on the first day of the festivity itself; everyone in the family wears the same colour in their own special way, in some unique and magical way- it gathers everyone together!

This time around, you will be able to experience lots of RED themed on ZALORA for beauty gifts, home & living products during these 6 weeks.

And in this festive season, you will be able to purchase from a wide variety from 800 selections ranging from apparels, shoes, gifts and home décor and more.

Featuring this festive season is ZALORA’s ’12 Zodiac Deals’ campaign as countdown promotion up to Chinese New Year. Don’t miss out- starts on 14th January right up to 15th February!

This is the time when ZALORA unveils 12 Zodiac Deals worth more than RM8, 888 
(THE GREAT No.8) of exclusive online offers!

Here’s MORE GOOD NEWS:
ONE: 12 Lucky Winners will be selected to WIN 2 EXCLUSIVE Chinese Zodiac Tees by Pop.Muse.Sic worth RM100 each.

TWO: The highlight of the 12 Zodiac Deals will stand a chance to WIN AN EXCLUSIVE Cheongsam from Khoon Hooi’s Latest Chinese New Year Collection worth over RM3,000!

Want to know about the rest of Khoon Hooi’s at ZALORA? ClickHERE


EXCITED YET?
Cos I am! It’s fun to shop at ZALORA for this Chinese New Year celebration. You got a lot to balance- work, gym, family, more work… probably can’t find the time to enjoy a day of shopping. So fret not, ZALORA is here to provide you an online shopping experience- at your service! It’s creative concept offers a large selection of quality products, with amazing bargains!

“Our customers are able to shop from the comfort of their own home and get their purchase delivered straight to your doorstep”, said Leow Wee Jonn, Co-founder / Managing Director of ZALORA Malaysia.

Get ON ZALORA NOW and SHOP for your Chinese New Year look!


ABOUT ZALORA
ZALORA Malaysia (http://www.zalora.com.my) is the fastest growing online fashion shopping mall in Malaysia. ZALORA Malaysia is part of ZALORA Asia group with Southeast Asia regional presence in Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Hong Kong. It is rapidly becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia through its great services and extensive product catalogue.

ZALORA Asia’s founders include local and European investors with highly successful online e-commerce sites around the world, such as Zalando (Europe), The Iconic (Australia), Dafiti (Brazil), Groupon.com, Lamoda (Russia), Locondo (Japan), Jabong (India) and many more.


WHAT MAKES ZALORA MALAYSIA UNIQUE?
  • 600+ local and international brands, 30,000+ products across various categories such as womenswear, menswear, sportswear, kidswear, traditional wear, beauty products, and lifestyle products.
  • FREE DELIVERY NATIONWIDE in Malaysia.
  • FREE 30 Days Return Policy.
  • Phone Order hotline at +60(3) 2382 2208.
  • Secured payment methods such as Credit Cards (Visa / Mastercard), Paypal, Online Bank Transfer (via iPay88 for Maybank2U, CIMB Clicks, MEPS, etc) and Physical Bank Transfer (bank deposit).
  • Cash on Delivery (COD) option on selected brands for Klang Valley only.
Look us up at
Instagram: Zaloramy



*Information for release courtesy of ZALORA Malaysia

*Image credits to ZALORA Malaysia
*This blog post was sponsored by ZALORA Malaysia

Staying Confident Around Doubtful People

At work I am often delegated with write up assignments every time there is an event or an awarding occasion. 

I have to write at least 3 write ups in total for one assignment, and so someone* said, "with the amount of effort put in into each write up, at the end of the day, no one actually stops to read it."

The thought arises once again, and I am aware of each word that is coming out of that person's mouth. 

For that split second, I am aware because I am also able to relate; I once thought that way too. 

That sense of doubt was very familiar to me, and sorta' like a reminder to me- I was shaken up again to remember I write because I enjoy it. Not because I want others to read it, but because writing allows me to express myself in words.

My reply to that person was "Yes, I understand." I said it with a smile. 

A little agitated but what the heck, because I was in that shoes too. And I am thankful for being in that shoes cos' it took me that to learn how to appreciate my own work. 

For some time, I could not understand why no one appreciated my work alongside with thinking that I am no good in everything. And that fear almost stopped me in my life from doing anything I love, or thinking I am able to. I felt weak. 

Unable to write, draw, craft, etc. because the core was simple negativity- I thought i was not good enough. Little did I know was that I was hitting myself hard with the hammer- my phantom evil hands pushing myself down every time I rise up.

Like I said to my beloved yesterday when we were reminiscing back about college days, "I wish back then I knew what I knew now- I would have overcome many things in life." but better to experience than to wish, because I've already moved forward.

Anyways, back to the story; I write for Love. I write because it is Fun. 

And if everyone else continues to realizes this, doing it for themselves rather for others to notice- I am pretty sure everyone else would enjoy their work and soar high for their dreams to come true.

The only magic you and I need is just a little of self-believing. And stop doing it for others, do it for yourself.


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Watch: Georgia O' Keefe (2009)

Tuesday, January 8, 2013
via


The Great Georgia
When I was watching the movie- Georgia O'Keefe (2009), I was taken in by her life-story and her creative gift. It wasn't the same as how I admired Van Gogh for his expressive vivid colours that reflects his emotions, but I admired the great Georgia O'Keefe for her courage and awareness as a female artist- especially when facing difficult times. Georgia truly is the au naturel creative goddess.

About two years ago, I blogged about Georgia O'Keefe when The Artsy Craftsy was just merely a "hobby" blog. This post was probably hidden deep in the blog's archives, and so I thought, with the new aim I wish to pursue, I should repost this again:


There are times I would find Wikipedia very useful especially when I am deeply curious about a historical figure or a particular mysterious place, like the Bermuda Triangle.

My recent search was Georgia O’Keefe. A great American artist and woman as an example to other aspiring artist too. I made a mental note to research about her when I was watching the 67th annual Golden Globe awards. At first, I was surprised that there was a biopic on our great artist, and later on thought our movie industry should expose the lives of the artists from our past more. I had goosebumps when the biopic was nominated, haha!

Born November 15, 1887, daughter of dairy farmers Georgia Totto O’Keefe was a great figure in American Art in the year 1920s’, created an edge in the modern American artistic style of art. Georgia was known for her paintings of flowers, rocks, shells, animal bones, and landscapes in which she would transform them in expressive abstract forms.

Surfing for her paintings to show examples to my readers, I just want to share one thing which I hope some can relate to me. “Her colours are vivid, expressive and bold. She gives life to each of her paintings. It’s like she is silent, and she speaks with her brush.”

Georgia has a heart of a true woman and a lover. She is beautiful in her soul. Georgia attended art lessons when she was a child, and learned from a local watercolorist. Throughout, she received art education and studied it avidly. Probably thinking she would never paint, although somehow she was inspired to paint again sometime in the 1912 and attended summer classes at a university where she learned how to express herself harmoniously through her compositions with light and dark contrasts. Her gift flowed from then on. Georgia served as a teaching assistant and later returning to Texas to teach in an art department at a local university.

Georgia met the man of her life, Alfred Stieglitz, an artistic photographer. After establishing a deep profound relationship with Georgia, Alfred left his wife for her.

Georgia spent her life painting, she made a name and many were moved by her paintings. I would say she definitely led an adventurous life making art and falling in love. When I look at her photo which was taken in year 1950, she looked mysteriously beautiful as ever even though she was old. Maybe the blooming flowers with vivid colors and close up meant something. Maybe all flowers were love to her. Maybe painting bones meant death to her. That at the end of the day, when our time is up, we are nothing. Our body is nothing but matter. And in this materialistic world that we are in, has tormented everybody mentally and physically. In March 6, 1986, Georgia died at the age of 98. She lived a very interesting and remarkable life. If ever you have a chance to watch the biopic of Georgia O’Keefe, or read about her, please do so. Coincidentally, I planned to write this article in February without realizing I am actually only releasing this in this month, March; Her death anniversary.
Georgia O'Keeffe, 'Hands' 1918,
photographed by Alfred Stieglitz


Source by:

Announcement: BEAR Hug!

My version of bear hug!
Seeking for a beautiful layout with complementing colours to greet 2013 is harder than I thought. Do "BEAR" with me a lil' while I am working on providing you a new reading experience!


In the meantime, this blog is still reader-friendly, and you are certainly welcome to visit as often as you want for creative inspirations.

While you wait for the blog's new look, I would like to share (again) that I have just started Instagram-ing and have converted that as a gallery instead. I love the fact that I have found a way to share with you all my creative finds each time I visit a new place, where else I will share with you my creative selections via Pinterest.

Social media just makes it easier to spread the creative light & love with the world, and so I invite you to connect with me just by clicking the links on my sidebar.