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Dinky Takes Shape!

9 Jan

Now that M1 has gone back to university, the home front is back to normal. In other words, no trips to the mall for shopping or eating out to check off a To Eat List on a weekday. I can go back to carving, hubby can tend to his air plants again and amazingly, M2 has even started doing her revision without being told.

The first thing I did was to finish up Dinky the Dinosaur. Chopstick limbs were added (with ice cream stick feet) and over the weekend whilst tracking her flight path flightaware.com, I gave it a gesso base. And Dinky will be given a good sanding down before a second gesso base and colors are added to bring it to life.

Finally, Dinky is taking shape. Next in cue, a whole new batch of Citizens and perhaps some new species.

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Mass Migration, Part 2

5 Jan

Every now and then, the Citizens of Gigglesville do a mass migration. This time it’s en bloc for ten Citizens, with Lab Owl leading the way. Lab Owl is following M1 back to the US with giant Citizen #100 tagging along too while the rest, Citizens #96, #97, #103, #108, #109, #110 and #114 are migrating to spread love and giggles.

On top of these citizens, I actually managed to find a little time to carve a Friend of the Citizens character because M1 requested for one. In Gigglesville, there’s the normal Citizens, the Superheroes, the Monuments and this; not a gnome but a fish specifically, a Spiny Lumpsucker.

Named Spiny Lumps, it even has an occupation – a Marine Researcher. An apt career considering it is an ocean creature and Spiny will assist Lab Owl with research. Who knows? Maybe the storyline can evolve with flair… Hahaha…

With the mass migration, looks like I have to carve up more Citizens for Gigglesville to grow!

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A Quiet Start

2 Jan

It was a Monday but felt like a Sunday. The girls slept in because we didn’t have any solid plans and being so stuffed from dinner the night before and the many nights before as well! We have been dutifully ploughing through M1’s To Eat List before she goes back.

As for us, hubby was at his usual puttering around the garden and I was back at carving after a hiatus. With M1 back, there has been so much to do but unfortunately, sitting around at home to carve has not been one of the activity.

So yesterday, it was nice to relax at home and Citizen #120 was born! 120. What a significant number and on the first day of the new year. I have come so far for Gigglesville and I think this year the township will boom at an even greater pace. I am excited at the prospect.

It may be a quiet start but it’s a good start. We are back at work today and M2 is at school without any issues waking up.

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I Need a Mallet?

28 Dec

My latest set of tools look so huge that hubby thinks I should have a log or wood stump to work on instead of puny one inch thick balsa wood! It’s just too funny. Tempting as it may be, I shot down the offer because this would then make the whole living room become a woodwork workshop.

And out of the blue, I feel I need a mallet to complement the new tools. I even picked one up over the weekend when we were at the hardware store but hubby told me that there’s an existing mallet in the office already and I should just bring that home.

Well, we’ll see how my usage of the new tools will be. But I need a bigger piece of wood…

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A Charitable Cause

8 Dec

I must say that Graphic Design is a wonderful profession to be in. For me, it’s more fun than work because it challenges the creativity and it’s not mundane because every project is different. And when you know what the end result is used for, it’s satisfaction guaranteed.

Last night we attended Marche de Noel, a charitable cause organized by the French community in Malaysia. Roped in by a French friend three years ago, we have been supporting this event since 2015. Our role is to provide pro bono design work for the marketing of the event. From flyers, posters to social media call-outs and stage backdrop, we do our part.

The Christmas party was held after a successful day bazaar where funds were collected for two foundations that they support, A Heart for A Heart and Make a Wish Malaysia. And when one sees what the funds are used for—fulfilling sick and needy children’s wishes to come true— satisfaction is simply priceless.

I’m glad we play our part. And this year, a little more than priceless satisfaction, I won a Lucky Draw prize, having bought some tickets. What a nice reward.

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New Colors, Part 2

5 Dec

Citizens of Gigglesville are getting new colors! I dropped by the art store over the weekend and bought new colors to expand the range for them. Actually not totally new but more of different shades for the existing red, blue and green for variation. I even picked up a bottle of Glow!

I thought the name of the blue shade is rather funny, Real Blue, as if all these while, the other blues that I am using are fake! Hahaha… it’s a nice dark blue nonetheless. So now, there’s three shades of blue which is good. Variations.

The dark Engine Red is similar to an existing Naphthol Red Deep, but it’s okay because like the blue, the red range now also has three shades.

And although the names are the same, the new Leaf Green does not even look close to the old Leaf Green. It is leaning more towards an olive shade while the old is akin to a Granny Smith’s apple green. Like the other two colors, the green range now also has three shades with the new olive addition.

As for the Glow paint, it’s something new to explore. The big debate now is whether to paint just the eyes or the whole body. With balsa being so porous, I’m don’t know how the end result would look. Hmm… got to experiment and see.

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Dinky’s Progress

21 Nov

Dinky the Dinosaur in 3D is coming along fine. Much effort was put in to shape it but unfortunately, I couldn’t have its arms and legs intact. So this means I have to improvise with add ons – either toothpicks or wooden chopsticks.

But now I face a predicament. I’ve come to realize that 2D Dinky is a flat two dimensional character especially with both its eyes on one plane, defying perspective. Almost Cubism but without the collage that Cubism is known for.

Both eyes on one side will stay true to its original character but now in 3D, surely I can’t have it like that! Then the other side, another two eyes? That would make my Dinky freaky with four eyes!

Hmm….
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Making the Effort, Part 2

20 Nov

I finally decided on what to carve for the four inch block: my dinky dinosaur! I feel it’s an apt choice but a very challenging one because of the tiny arms and legs.

I just hope they don’t break off when I exert a little bit more strength to carve out the limbs. Otherwise I may have to improvised and use toothpicks or wooden chopsticks to add on. We’ll see…

Dinky for now is 2D on my leg; let’s see how it turns out in 3D as a wood carving piece because thinking in 3D and 2D are two totally different process. Not easy.

Wish me luck!
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Off They Go

17 Nov

My two commissioned paintings are finally going to their new owners. After a seven-month curing period for the oil paint to be totally dry, it’s time. I hand them over this weekend. It’s a rather nice and warm bubbly feeling to know that someone else appreciates my art. Thank you for the support.

With this, I hope to paint again and soon.
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Making the Effort

16 Nov

Finally, I pushed myself to carve and it felt therapeutic. But unsure of what new species I want to embark on, I started off with yet another Citizen and another Monument to get the momentum going. I must say the details on the new Monument are more prominent compared to the earlier 3-citizen piece. Practice makes perfect.

So while this is ongoing, the mind is contemplating and thinking what next. It should be a good challenge ahead because I have decided to go with the four inch block.

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