Global Cardboard Challenge

I have been very inspired by this 9 years old boy in East LA. I'm sure lots of you might have stumbled upon it online. I am searching to see if there is an event for the Global Cardboard Challenge this Oct 6 in my area,  Richmond/ Vancouver, BC, Canada. If not, I would be interested in organizing one. Please pass this on and spread the word. I think it would be great for me soon to be 9 years old and 2 years old to be involved in this kind of creativity. Contact me if you know of any interest or details about the event.

Less words more paint

I have been over analyzing life and its events and got deep in the worrying black hole. Finally I realize that I need to dwell on words a bit less and try to illustrate my feelings purely for survival purpose. Here are my expressions of the anxiety I have been feeling. More to come as my healing continues.

Learning about oneself

Happy New Year everyone!

I would like to share a few steps of how I get started with my painting process to start the new year off. This will also serve as a reminder to self when I hit those " artist block".

1. Warm up by mixing colour scale
2. Keep to the big brush and use smaller brushes sparsely.
3. Do painting drills. Paint same subject several times in one sitting
4. Document paintings as they dry, the colours change as they dry.

Oh and there is a special promo for free shipping worldwide at my society6. 
You have to click on this link to get the promo and it's only good until Jan 13, 2013 so act fast!

Have a Sassy Christmas!

This year, I went very simple with presents other than ones to my children. All family and friends are getting tea or chocolates. So when I received a really personalized and thoughtful gift from a friend, I felt that I want give her something a bit more personal in return. I don't usually do paintings as gift, nor do I paint a lot of cats, but here is the opportunity for me to do both. I texted her this morning for photos of her cats and here is what I managed to put paint on paper while my little guy took a nap. Doing these paintings reminds me Christmas is a time for showing your appreciation of people you care about. Thank you for the opportunity my friend ( you know who you are) and you will get your paintings after your trip.

Don't dwell on what is lost...move on and create more

Sigh! Today I finally realized that I have lost some of my original files of my pattern design when my network drive went self destruct a couple months ago. I do have them in a pdf file and have uploaded them to Spoonflower, but I do not have the originals. I found that out as I was exploring the Society6 site and made my artwork available for more products. That part is very exciting so I am not dwelling on the lost too much. I now have my artwork available iphone, ipod covers, and a pillow covers. Please come check it out.  Here is the link Astrid Fox at Society6

Giddy at the Getty LA

I'm on the flight back from a short vacation in LA. We managed to combine family activities like Disney with some cultural outings like the Getty and I think everyone had a good time. My highlight of the trip was the visit to the Getty. I loved taking the tram up to catch a magnificent view and I enjoyed seeing my favorite old masters. I was pleased to show the kids their first Van Gogh - the Irises, even through the experience probably went right over their heads. I was particularly drawn to a piece by Degas - the hat maker. I liked the composition very much. I will further study this piece after I get home. The Children's House was inspiring not just for kids. I doodled along with my boys as you see here.

Self portrait

This week, I hit a bit of the creative wall. I was very dissatisfy with how I did with last weeks technique - glazing medium diluted colours over black and white on a tonal study. I let me ego or my expectations get in the way. During class, we repeated the exercise but with a portrait. I was quite nervous as I hadn't painted a portrait for many years. To intensify the self judgement more, I chose a self portrait. The photo is of me in my twenties. At the end, I conquered my fears and painted with less hesitation. I enjoyed painting from my younger self and transformed the image to my age today. Note to self: use larger reference and work out composition before execution