MTangDesigns

My daughter has a wonderful piano teacher, Kanako.  She is very patient and understanding.  My daughter loves her teacher very much.   In honoring her teacher, I decided to draw/write her name in seal script using acrylic paints.  Then, I used 3 dimensional paints to draw some decorative designs around the seal script characters. I painted the background and then wrote the piano teacher's name in seal script format. I added the decorative designs on the edge. Whenever I use the dimensional paints, I feel like I am decorating a cake.  In this case, I am decorating a painting.

I am very fortunate to have a great meditation teacher, Demo DiMartile, in my life.  He is also a mentor, life coach and cheer leader.  He loves my artwork and encourage me to show my drawings.  In honoring him, I decided to create artworks for him as Christmas gifts. I had already mentioned in my previous posts regarding these three artworks.  Since Demo loves Lao Tzu, it's only natural for me to pick "Tao" as part of the drawing.  In addition, he has an affinity towards Kwan Yin.

I have been on a roll.  I wrote Kwan Yin in seal script on a 5 x 7 canvas.  Kwan Yin is a bodhisattva.  She is the goddess of compassion.  She is also known as Avalokitesvara in Sanskrit.  Kwan Yin has many names from different sutras.  This name is from the Heart Sutra.

As I had mentioned in one of the previous posts, I love Chinese characters in the seal script format.  I decided to write the Chinese word "Tao" on a 5 x 5 canvas again.  I really love how thick the canvas is.  I wrote the first phase of Tao Te Ching on the side. Tao in Chinese seal script format. The first phase of Tao Te Ching.

As I had mentioned from a previous post before, I love the book "The Gifts of Imperfection" from Brene Brown.  I am still taking the e-course slowly.  I don't want to rush through it.  I really want to learn and live a more whole-hearted life.  I just finished the chapter "Cultivating Calm and Stillness". My first part of the homework is to find a picture that represents calm and stillness.  Personally, I love sky.  I love looking at the clouds, the blue sky and the birds.  The sky is like a canvas.  It changes everyday.  Everyday is a new surprise!  This page serves as a reminder whenever when I feel anxious or stressed, I need to spend more time with nature, looking at critters and have my own quiet time. This is my first art journal using acrylic as the background.  I really love the different range of blue colors. My second part of the homework is to do a "Calm Map".  It is a visual guideline for me to stay calm ...

I am very happy!  I finally got to pick up my new car yesterday which was really exciting!  However, I traded in my old car.  I had the car for almost 14 years.  I have a lot of great memories with it, especially with my daughter.  I still have vivid memories of her in the car seat.  Then, she changed into booster seats and, finally, could sit at the front.  Trips that I took with her, family and friends.  Beautiful places I have been to.  Thank you and goodbye -- my dear old friend!

I first heard about Paint Nite from my friend.  I have been interested in trying out Paint Nite.  Finally, I got to go to a paint nite event yesterday.  It was fun!  I had a blast and would definitely go again.  It was definitely challenging to keep up with the instructor since the event was for two hours only. It was also interesting to see others paint the same painting differently. My first paint nite master piece - Blue Winter Plain

I love Alisa Burke's blogs.  Recently, she painted lace designs on leaves.  I love her designs.  I decided to draw on my sketch book using her designs as practice.  Hopefully, I will remember to paint on leave next fall.  It is definitely on my to-do list for next year.

    Happy Halloween!     My daughter and I went to SUNY New Paltz for open house.  Although she is a ninth grade student, we decided to start the process early.  Personally, I love to visit different colleges.  For me, I get to take short trips with my daughter which is always fun. This is the first time for me to see this big vending machine. This vending machine even sells white castle burgers. A beautiful Hudson Valley scene.

I finally got time to sit down last night to start working on the 5" x 5" canvas.  Since I have been contemplating on the Chinese word "Tao" in seal script format.  I decided to experiment with acrylic. The result is great!  I love it!  Hope you love it too!

I signed up the Brene Brown class, the gift of Imperfection, last winter.  I am still taking the online class.  I love the course.  I am on lesson "Cultivating Play and Rest".  What strikes me the most is the following quote from Dr. Stuart Brown: "The opposite of play is not work -- the opposite of play is depression." My homework assignment What I love the most about this part of the lesson is to do a "ingredients for joy and meaning" list. Ingredients for Joy and Meaning List In addition, I do an additional art journal to remind myself not just focusing on the goal/destination.  I also need to be mindful and enjoy every single step of the way.

I dropped off my car at the mechanic for oil change this morning.  While I was waiting for my car, I noticed some cars have really cool tires.  Since I was tired of flipping through the magazines, I started sketching the tire rims. I drew the tire rim using a HB pencil. I shaded in the dark area. I drew the tire rim for my car. In addition to the tire rim, I drew the tire and the tracking marking. I worked on the shading of the last tire.  

I am planning to draw a painting for my meditation teacher who loves Lao Tzu.  Since Lao Tzu is the father of Taoism, I am trying out different ideas. A simple Tao symbol using Chinese brush and ink. After I drew the simple Tao symbol, I used the ink to add some shading. In addition, I wrote the word "Tao" in Chinese using seal script: Seal script is an ancient style of Chinese calligraphy.  I am always very drawn to it.  I feel that it really gives a strong taste of the origin of the Chinese which is iconographic language.  I love it!  Seal script is a combination of word and drawing.