For the past year or so I've been really into abstract art and wanted to take a break from doing the realistic art. So I came up with these two paintings. I loved how I could be creative and just put paint to canvas without worrying about whether every stroke was perfect. Ofcourse there were times where I felt almost as much stress as when I did the realistic paintings - especially when I had to paint from my imagination without anything as reference. I'm really happy with these and the response has been good, so I'm sure I'll be going down this route once more.

From now on I'll be practising my sketching and drawing skills because I believe these skills are important - Universities agree. I'll be trying to increase my speed but mainly my accuracy. I'd love to be able to fill up my sketchbook which I carry around with me at school (a poor man's Moleskin.) Keep an eye out for some sketches :)

Reflections of the Future

I wanted a change of pace and decided to something more abstract. I saw an image of the Vancouver skyline which was beautiful but I wondered what it would look like before all the buildings and lights. I sketched out this idea and then started painting. This is by far the biggest painting I've painted (even rivalling my other lion)

The painting poses the question, “How far is too far?” and let’s you debate whether our race’s advancements is worth the destruction of nature.

See the process recorded at Flickr ("How Much is Too Much?" was the working title.)

Dawn of Judgement Day

Inspired by the stress of getting ready for exams this painting was designed during one year of exams (2006) and completed just before another year of exams (2007.)

The painting follows the path of getting ready for exams, then finally reaching the dawn of judgement day. Time melts away as you have to work through mountains of books while under pressure - represented by the flames. The gold is the reward you stand to gain at the end of it all.

I was going to have a more cartoony lightbulb in the top frame to signify the light at the end of the tunnel but opted for this sunrise because of the colour it would bring to the piece. Thanks a lot to Tony for pushing for the sunrise scene over the lightbulb idea.

They are for sale

Please remember the paintings are for sale ($US 300 and $US 60) respectively so if you like them please snatch them up by visiting the portfolio entry for the painting (the showcase images are linked.) There are also more paintings for sale in my portfolio.