SHOES. again?!

Hello peeps.

Not sure why, but I had this huge urge to post something about these shoes. I know these have been 'in' for quite some time, but, well, better late than never:)

So these guys first came out when I first started researching on "combination of young and old". Seems like there are people who thing these shoes are the perfect combination of the young (sports shoes) and old(high heels)? Perhaps?

Oh well, I have the feeling that people will see these more as high-heeled shoes than sports shoes. Quite obvious right? The sneakers part just seem to be a part of its design.

I just wanna say that I'm a huge fan of this 'fusion' culture that's trending around, like this hello kitty-shaped beaded bag I saw from some branded shop recently (can't remember).

Shall try to somehow incorporate this 'combination' into my coursework, and shall research for more such 'fusion' objects.

Combination of sneakers and heels. Smart move. And on the side note, I bet they're really comfortable. ok, maybe except the last one:)

Brian Despain

While Mark Ryden made me want to do something on a really solemn subject (or at least make the theme of choice seem very grave), and add some sarcastic, dark humour to it, looking at Brian Despain’s paintings just delight me. It makes me want to do something lighthearted. This dude can even do a painting on a theme that is super insignificant or can be inspired by merely a weird conversation with a stranger. However, he does also take on serious subjects such as over pollutions in the world, but there is somehow a whimsical touch to it that makes everything not so dead-pan.

His subject matters mainly consist of robots, as part of his 100 robots project. While his painterly work retains a sense of humor, these paintings also belie a sense of melancholy, stemming from recent issues in the artists life. The robot appear to be in bleak situations and landscapes that look ready to storm. Painted in hurricane-cloud greys and blues and sulphurous post-apocalyptic yellows, the robot "protagonists" blunder their way across tumultuous landscapes, thrilled by a newly discovered concept of “self” yet haunted with the dawning realization of their fatal disconnection from the life which surrounds them. The artist stated that he wanted all 100 robots to have their own unique personality and tries to bring in their souls into the painting, through their actions since their expressions are quite fixed.

Looking at his works, one can clearly see the playful humor he presents. Unlike in Ryden’s paintings, one has to think/analyze really deep to sense his dark, often morbid humor; Despain simply includes a short, witty write-up to explain his works in an impish tone. Most of his works are based on his real-life experiences, characters being inspired by the people he knows, the themes just random ones he picked out in his sub consciousness. He taught me that although the way you paint might not bring about much thoughts from the viewers, but it sure will be memorable he can make such a serious matter seem to light-hearted.

The more I look at his works and his working style, I realize that perhaps I’m more Despain than I am Ryden. I am fine with sarcasm, a little bit of morbidity, but deep inside, I still do have the inner ‘retardedness ‘ in me. Maybe I can try to like, like give each of my subject matter a tinge of playfulness, so that it won’t look so solemn and serious… But of course the girl in the middle will still look empty in her eyes. Maybe something like these?

<------

<----- like just adding some elements of fun? like this (my favourite) toot-looking owl?

Hmm, two of my favourite pop surrealists, on the two extreme ends Ah... I’m so fickle :D

WARHOLIZED WEE.

Hello ChiaWei, these are the originals for the present I gave you:)

And well, I shall update this post with the photo of the final work once Miss TCW emails me.

Brief introduction: TCW's birthday was wayyyy long ago, but I didn't want to buy something for her birthday, but rather to make her something. We have been talking about painting Warhol-style faces of ourselves since too long ago, therefore I got tired of waiting and decided to go for it myself.

I tried to do acrylic image transfer for this 'project'. Just for your information, the gel medium needed for this work is only available in this place at North Bridge Road called the Straits Art Bookstore (i think) and its like super duper expensive D:

Actually it was that thing Mr Robertson demo-ed for us last year, with some Sec 4's coursework. (the skeleton thing)

Hmm, I shall say that this medium is quite challenging to master, or I just didn't do it good enough, but I am proud to say that I saved it quite well with my trusty markers:), so I'd say it turned out ok?

I bet you love the rainbow-coloured cake I plastered to your face. Haha. Revenge is sweet.

CUTEST LITTLE DUDE EVER.

Way too modern technology, media influences, they all somehow speed up the growth of kids nowadays, both physically, and mentally.

Everyone thinks growing up is cool.

Can't illustrate my point better than this picture.

I hope this isn't like an iPhone ad or something.

Japanese Curse Doll.

Lol, I kid about the title.

It's just that I've been randomly doodling on people's books of characters with similar features as this, and it just somehow got known as the "japanese curse doll" because of its somewhat freaky look.

Inspired by Ryden's Incarnation, this is like a copy of its character with modifications such as the dressing and the backdrop.

Fine, I admit the pop-art background was because I didn't have the time and patience to do it, but it turned out quite unexpectedly okay.

I focused quite a lot on her facial features, especially her eyes, to give that empty gaze, but the fingers and toes, I didn't really bother about it.

Oil and Acrylic

Jan 2011

32cm x 32cm

Love the polka dots, they remind me of bananas:)

Have a GAGA year.

I am dying to be her stylist. No matter how ridiculous I dress her, I will never get sued for wardrobe malfunction.

It's almost like she treats herself as a blank canvas and dressing up/making up is just like turning herself into a piece of art.

She has become the representation of eccentricity in the 21st century, a really strong influence to children especially.

Sometimes, I think she's sick in the mind, and way too AA, like with her meat dress, yet sometimes I think I'm in love with her avant-garde dressing.

If she wasn't half as obscene as she is now, I think she would've been my idol.

Gaga has been influencing the art industry, with paintings, comic strips and sculptures made with her being their "inspiration"

Barbie goes "Gaga" too.

Mark Ryden

I was first exposed to Mark Ryden through “Incarnation” (first painting). The reason I was attracted was mainly because of his marvelous skills, the way everything looks so neat and controlled, and the human features fantasy-like, yet looks so solid and real, making the painting a visual feast. After so, I began exploring more of his works and realized that there are, actually, reasons behind his bizarre choices of subject matters. Basically, to me it seems to show how children of the modern society, or even people of the world in general, are losing their purity, innocence, virtues and perhaps their sanity. And then I thought, hey, this kinda relates to my theme.

To some, his works may be called grotesque, creepy or even morbid, yet it’s exactly the “twist”, the controversial theme that creates its amusing appeal.

His paintings are mostly surrealist-inspired with a hint of Alice In Wonderland turned bad, innocence turned sour. Ryden tends to present his works I a manner which involves much contrast: heavy use of pastels and severely contrasting bold colours, “naïve” little girls with corrupted thoughts. These contrasts present a sense of dark humour to his paintings.

The main characters, children, always have disproportionately large heads with gigantic doe eyes that seem to wander far away. At first glance, one probably will find these characters extremely lovable and cute, but not the case once upon closer inspection, when you witness the emptiness that resides behind those eyes. Yet, I just love it because of those lifeless, dazed eyes, which is totally unlike what a normal, happy kid’s bright eyes will look like. At times, not-so-innocent fantastical creatures make their appearance, increasing the surrealistic atmosphere.

The creepy combination of saccharine fantasy-like characters painted with detailed fullness and the more controversial subject matters such as religion-based symbolism, meat and mutation seemed to be the best way to illustrate the ugly truths of the world to viewers.

Overall, his wonderful technique that allows him to paint freakishly beautifully and how he subtly(sometimes) presents the problems in our modern society has an astounding sense of presence. And that’s what intrigues me the most. Quoted from Gary Faigin, “In the paintings of Mark Ryden, at least we are beautiful losers.”

This then brings me to how Mark Ryden’s paintings are my inspiration as they somehow do link to my chosen theme: Lost (and found). His themes, although subtle is quite similar my theme (although I definitely would not paint so morbidly), and I really want to adopt the way he paints his characters. The look in their eyes just mesmerize me. I also like how the background always looks so misty and undefined.

(Yoshi)

(Tubbies)

(Santa Worm)

So many talented (and weird) people in the world...