MTangDesigns

    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.

Since I was a kid, I love drawing.  I would sit in front of the TV, I started drawing the characters from the Japanese animes.  I took different art classes through out my childhood which had helped me to build my skills.  I started drawing again about 5 years ago.  In addition, I started learning Chinese brush paintings about 3 years which really re-initiated my passion for art. I came across a picture of Buddha stupa in Nepal about a year ago.  I saw the Buddha eyes on the stupa and I wanted to paint it.  Since I have a full-time job, I tried to work on it whenever I have time which is always a challenge. Whenever I get the time to sit down to paint, I feel like I am at a peaceful place.

I would like to thank my daughter who is my biggest frend in my art.  I would also like to thank my Zen Master, Ven. Ji Xing, whose encouraging words and confidence in me.  I would also like to thank my meditation teacher, Demo DiMartile, who is light and wisdom.  I would like to thank my parents whose love and nuture throughout my life.