An Excerpt from Love is A Simple Melody

Love is a Simple Melody. Media: Charcoal (Click for a larger image.)

An excerpt from an original song I wrote on June 1, 2008. It would take me a while to get the song figured out. Stay tuned for more.....

Stronger

An illustration of the headlands in Tintagel, Cornwall, South-east coast of the United Kingdom. Media: conte

I'm usually a pretty level-headed girl,
but I can't carry the whole world up on my shoulders
I know I'm strong, but sometimes I'm wrong
because I'm stubborn and let pride get along the way

I'm definitely stronger because of You
The ghosts of yesterday are slowly gone;
I feel so safe when I'm with you
You make me stronger
So much stronger, like the rock after endless storms

I'm still standing stronger because of the sand breaking the waves;
The grass is like friends that holds the rainwater,
preventing me from breaking down any further.

The sun is definitely shining brighter, longer and stronger
because of you, you and you.

- Cynthia Chiew, February 24, 2008

This is me visiting England alone on a whim in January 2008. It was a wet, windy, and an unpleasantly cold day to visit the ruins of Tintagel castle, which was believed to be the legendary King Arthur's castle, but I had three hours to kill after a long train ride from London. I was the first visitor that day, brave enough to go despite a rainy hail-storm. The stairs to the castle were difficult and uneven; it was sort of poetic that way. It reminded me of life -- not each step is the same nor it is easy to climb, but once you get to the top, the view is marvellous. I was deeply humbled by the headlands -- they have been here for many centuries. When I saw the ruins of Tintagel Castle, I was even more humbled by the strength of nature: waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Meaningful Artwork

I was inspired to draw this picture when I knew how much it meant to my boyfriend. It was an actual photograph that came out in the Edmonton Journal 17 years ago; my boyfriend was 8 years old. It is simple, but meaningful: it was how he spent time with his dad; chasing after trains and taking pictures. He's always dreamt about it being painted, so I drew it as painterly as I could. It took me several weeks to finish this chalk pastel project. As soon as I finished it, he wanted to give it to his parents, whom I have yet to meet. (insert nervous smile)

This scanned version doesn't do justice to the actual picture though; it is chopped off on the sides.

Artwork

I love art. Contrary to what people think on this silly Facebook application Compare, I think I'm quite artistic; whether I'm good or not, it doesn't really matter because art is a mere hobby. When you're dealing with art, you're learning to take risks; you're always experimenting with different kinds of media. At the same time, you're solving problems; figuring out how to draw or create an object. Like Music, Art is very therapeutic for me; it exercises my right brain.

I have discovered that I love using India ink. I do the wash first, then I use a calligraphy pen, different brushes and paper towel (believe it or not) to further add details. You could also use a straw or even a toothbrush if you desire some cool effects with ink.

Above: Study of drapery -- a scarf.

Above: a daunting still life study -- the way as I interpreted it; it was not close to the real potted plant at all, but it was all I could see from my angle.

And here is a still-life study piece I did with conte. I am currently still refining my landscape of headlands in Cornwall, England, which is also done with conte. When I'm done, I will upload that here as well.