Private...

Geary Wootten · 11-22-2005, 02:13 AM

What can I say Isabel that I haven't said before? Okay, I'll try.

This is just a great rendering in so many ways. It's a super friendly relaxed pose with a very fresh perspective. The drawing is very modern and unique...just like it's young master. Bravo Ms Chiang!

~Geary

Isabel Chiang · 11-22-2005, 08:23 AM

Quote:

She's so real, attractive but individual, the opposite of generic beauty. Looking at one of your drawings is like getting a glimpse of your life as told though the people you know.

Alex, Thank you so much! I'm so glad you can see that because it's exactly what I wanted to achieve in this drawing. I meant to loosen up a bit more at the bottom part, giving the drawing more life and energy. But that wasn't very successful, it ended up looking a little too tight for my liking.

Guess I lost my confidence towards the end.

Marcus , Hey "Leng Chai" (pretty boy)!!! How did you find out I'm a Cantonese speaker? Thanks for the comment. Think I'd spent around 40-50 hours in this drawing from start to finish. Geez, graphite IS time consuming, eh? I have lost many hours of my life since I started drawing. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it.

Geary, Good to see ya, my friend. Thank you for all the encouragement! Wow! You have given me too much credit. Though, I enjoy being "Weird" and "Modern". I am Weird....

Marcus Lim · 11-22-2005, 10:37 PM

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Originally Posted by Isabel Chiang

I have lost many hours of my life since I started drawing. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it.

Hi Isabel, I'll take that back if i were you.
If i were your age then, i wish i'd put in the hours to be this good earlier. Unlike me, you had the encouragement and family support to do this. So let no doubts ever come to you again about your time spent.
LAR LAR SENG HOI ZHOU! (Put your foot down and do it!)

PS: Since you're from HK, i figured your spoken language as much...

Isabel Chiang · 11-23-2005, 07:05 AM

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Originally Posted by Marcus Lim

Unlike me, you had the encouragement and family support to do this.

The only support I ever get is from the online art forums. Unfortunately, I'm just like you. I don't have any support or encouragement from my family and friends. My friends blame me for not going out and spending time with them. They hate me because I won't draw them for free. Geez... nobody respects an artist and everyone wants a free portrait! My parents.... well, you know what typical Chinese parents are like. When I was a kid, they used to tell me " You'll be starving to death before you get famous, get a real job! ". So yeah, my Mum wants me to be a successful business woman, my Dad wants me to be an engineer, or a doctor, I want to be an artist. The only reason I get to draw and paint as much as I want now is because I'm in Australia completing my business degree, and they are in Hong Kong. I'm all by myself here, so they don't have a clue what I've been doing all these years. The truth is, I've been spending the time on art at the expense of my school grades. I'm getting really bad grades, even failed a few subjects. Now I'll have to extend another semester to make up the credit points. My Dad would shoot me if he finds out. Not only I'm "wasting" my time, I'm ruining his "investment", wasting his money! Lots of hard earned money. But he will find out soon because I can't pay the extra tuition fees. He'll have to pay. I'm in real trouble. maybe that's exactly what I deserve.

Anyway, Thanks a lot for the encourgement, Marcus! Don't worry. Despite my current situation, I don't regret it. I refuse to give it all up, coz I love it too much .

Marcus Lim · 11-23-2005, 08:57 AM

Oh gosh, i hope don't get into trouble talking about something else here...

So i guess that's what it means being Asian huh? Both of us having the same fates. I did badly in school too, and almost got thrown out of the house when my dad gave the ultimatum - art or a diploma for a real job. But having come to this far in life, i'd say do their calling first - finish your degree, get a job that pays well (while you're still drawing that is!), build your finances and then get down to your passion. That's what i did 5 years ago...actually SARS and economic downturn forced me to take art professionally..kekeke.
Anyway, that's that...i'm ending 'ere!

Sorry for the digress folks!

Kimberly Dow · 11-24-2005, 12:33 PM

Isabel,

This is a beautiful drawing - yours are always SO impressive.

Your story with your parents is one we all hear over and over. Theonly solution is to do as I did - pay for college yourself by going into wicked debt, working 2 jobs and going hungry. That way you decide what you study. Not only will you get to chose for yourself, but you wont fail any classes because in your head you will remember how many tables you waited on to pay for that class, or how many pizzas you delivered, etc..

I think a lot of artists can get carried away with their passion to create and not take care of business. There is nothing romantic about not being able to pay bills, failing grades, or not taking care of yourself. It IS hard to do other things when you just want to draw or paint - but take care of business FIRST so you can afford the time to create, afford the supplies and have the peace of mind necessary to live happily while doing your art.

OK, that's my one lecture for the week.

Good luck Isabel!

Marcus Lim · 11-24-2005, 10:41 PM

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Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

OK, that's my one lecture for the week.

Thanks for sharing your lecturer "Dr DoW"!!

What you said to Isabel, resonates alot to my present, and the past i was in when i was in Isabel's age. It's good advice to you Isabel, because i tell you it's NOT ROMANTIC to go hungry - even worse when you don't produce any artworks because you can't afford them, and having people know that WE'RE ARTISTS!

I was going through a difficult period then, and fortunately i met a motivational speaker, and coming across this book called THE PASSION PLAN, by Richard Chang.

Through the book, he taught me that passion can thrive with proper planning! I hope you can grab a copy of this book and read it for yourself.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/078...books&v=glance

David Draime · 11-29-2005, 12:04 PM

Isabel! Ni hao ma? Ni de huar hen piaoliang!! Tebie hao kan! (Sorry I don't speak "Guangdonghua"...) I lived in northwest China - and Beijing - for four years, and even with that, my Mandarin is pretty shoddy).

Hey, I had the extreme pleasure of seeing one of your original works - up close and personal! What a treat - it was gorgeous!! My student, Jeanene - who so luckily aquired it - showed it to me a few weeks ago. She's lucky and you are a very generous spirit. I really admire you so much. You are so awesomely gifted and the fact that you are so dedicated in spite of the conspicuous lack of support for your art by those around you...it says a lot about your character. Don't worry. Remember what Joseph Campbell used to say: "Follow your bliss! "

Isabel Chiang · 12-05-2005, 07:25 AM

Marcus, Thank you again! I'll definitely check out that book you recommended.

Kim, Thank you so much for the lecture. As an artist, we go through tough time a lot, eh? I guess everyone has a few stories to tell. I've just found a full time job for this summer holiday (it's summer in Aus now). Been working all week. You are right, I must take care of the business first.

Chris, Thank you! It's a pleasure to be here!

David, Hi " Ni Hao"!!! Wow! you've been to China?! Your Chinese sounds pretty good to me. My best friend is from beijing too, I can speak mandarin. Thank you for the kind words, You are too nice! Say hi to Jeanen. She's such a lovely lady, isn't she?