My Dreams Log 2024
Chief Editor Pauline Ng shares her experiences
(Translated by Jaren K.Y.)
As I step into spring 2024, I look back and notice that the passions I embarked upon just last year have now taken centre stage in my weekly routine. Despite having limited time for practice, I have made it a point to dedicate certain moments every evening to further my knowledge and refine my skills in sketching and calligraphy. Due to ageing eyesight, I can’t rely solely on the internet to acquire knowledge. I then turn to books. It was during this process that I discovered the invaluable treasure troves that bookstores hold, housing countless works written with genuine passion. It is truly worthwhile to peruse these works.
As my first step back into traditional ink painting, I have been studying sketching under Master Luo Zhiqiang, a prominent student of Zhao Shao’ang. Luo, a highly skilled teacher in different disciplines of painting, has his unique style of drawing the grand and majestic to the delicate and adorable. From the moment I first saw his work, I knew that I had found a promising path. I always find it important to start with sketching, which is the foundation of painting. After a year of guidance from Luo, I am now capable of capturing the forms of people and objects. However, I still have a long way to go to truly reflect the inner soul and develop the artistic sensibility found in any artist worth their salt. Nevertheless, sketching is such a pleasurable hobby. Better yet, I can even apply the knowledge to the creation of ceramics, killing two birds with one stone!
One of my discoveries in sketching is the use of an eraser to create light and shadow, revealing contours. It was the first time I grasped the importance of being able to dispose of things that need not be kept. This also applies to the nurturing of a young individual. There is no oint imposing your own ideas or dictating what they should think or do. Instead, it is about facilitating exploration and allowing them to discover their own path. When setbacks occur, as parents or mentors, we could encourage them to learn from experience, like using an eraser to remove the unpleasant past. This will eventually highlight their unique qualities, thus revealing their brilliance.
Master Luo also encourages us to do more on-site real-life sketching, which is a new endeavour for me. I never thought that I could go onto the street or garden, painting the bustling city scapes and capturing the shapes of trees and plants, without concern for passers-by who may stop and watch as you draw. After my first adventure, whenever the weather permits, I would bring along simple tools, a folding chair, a bottle of water, and some biscuits to a sunny park, where I could spend half a day sketching. Recently, I had a fall in Lijiang and injured my leg, confining me in the hotel for four days. Fortunately, with the sketching paper I bought in the ancient city the day before, I was able to do on-site sketching with a simple pen in the backyard of the hotel throughout my incapacitated period. Believe it or note, the joy I got from it was far greater than exploring the mountains and lakes in Lijiang.
This year's experiences have definitely reaffirmed my belief that every individual possesses talents that have yet to be discovered, and retirement offers the time for proper self-exploration. For me, my next goal is to create ceramic decorations that reflect my distinctive character. Stay tuned!
