Showing posts with label Chinese paper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chinese paper. Show all posts

Saturday, March 09, 2013

New York / 紐約


老爸談起旅遊計畫,隨口說了秋天要去中央公園曬太陽,而我腦中浮現的是布萊恩公園,我在那裡和琪琪看了生命中第一部戶外電影,是我很喜歡的「金玉盟」。

When we were daydreaming of our respective travel plans, Dad spoke of taking a sun bath in Central Park this coming autumn. As I heard it, what came to mind was Bryant Park. There I watched my first outdoor movie--An Affair to Remember with Chichi in mid-summer. 

年紀大的好處就是每提到一個地名,都能喚起多彩的回憶!

The beauty about aging is that a place name can conjure up the colorful memories that I have collected... 

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

remembered drawing III / 記憶畫法(三)

週末照樣忙著畫畫,現在習慣了週六晚上在家裡趕速寫本,反而和話不投機的朋友出去還比較寂寞,總是這樣一路畫到週日晚上,剩沒多少時間把房間打掃一下,心理上要準備好週一進畫室一整天的畫畫行程。這週一去了牛津的Pitts River Museum校外教學,我就坐在自然歷史博物館的入口畫豆豆鳥的標本,畫了四個小時,中間新朋友小惇先生抽空從隔壁的牛津大學實驗室過來和我聊個幾句。特蕾莎問我:我們這樣花了十三磅一路坐車來這裡的意義何在?我也不清楚,像我這樣總是專注在一件物品上的人,就算坐在公園裡畫松鼠也可以畫幾個小時,不過下週我們就得把週一的速寫變成完整的作品,可以說是第一個月的終點。回程走在牛津的路上,同學紛紛問我,想到要做什麼了嗎?我說不知道,而且我給這答案時一點都不擔心,因為剛開學老師說,有一些人每次得到題目時總是一下就預想到最後的成品,我以前就是那種人,他們希望我們可以多探索不同的可能性,顯然我已經被教育成他們要的樣子了。

As usual, last weekend I was busy drawing. Now instead of going out with people whom I don't connect with, I find it a luxury to stay home on Saturday evenings to do my sketchbook homework. I'd draw all the way from Saturday to the end of Sunday, and then the remaining time is reserved for cleaning my room and getting prepared for another long day of drawing on Monday. This week we took a field trip to  Pitts River Museum in Oxford. I sat near the entrance of the Natural History Museum for drawing the taxidermy of the dodo bird for four hours. In the middle of working, my new friend Duen-wei took a pause from his work and came to visit me from his building in Oxford University to have a short chat with me. Teresa asked, "What's the point of spending 13 pounds and coming all the way from London to draw an exhibit here?" I couldn't figure it out either since I can do the same thing in any corner of London for a few hours because I love to concentrate on one thing or a scene. However, by next Monday we will have to hand in a finished illustration developed from our sketches done in the museum, and it will be the culminating point to summarize our past month of drawing exercise. On our walk in Oxford, others asked me if I had thought of anything. I replied that I don't, but I was not worried at all. At the beginning of the term, the tutors said that some people could foresee their finished illustrations the moment they got a topic, but they'd like us to explore more possibilities during the process. Obviously, they have turned me into what they want us to be...

沒寫部落格的幾天裡發生好多事,胖了一些;日光節約時間改回來了,所以現在四點多就天黑,我居然在漫漫長夜裡也覺得安心;見了朋友和他的朋友,在倫敦第一次去運動中心;每天感受嘉蕊的溫暖,剛才在她那裡吃了很豐盛的一餐;有一天我和嘉蕊說,每次和朋友出去,聊到很晚時,朋友會說要打電話給伴侶報平安,我總是想,那有誰在意我的安危呢?於是有一晚嘉蕊得晚歸時,我們就開始了互相打電話報平安的習慣,我們不只是朋友,是家人,雖然在這偌大的城市裡只有一個可以依靠的人,這樣就夠了。

During my absence from the blog, so many things happened. I gained some weight. The clock was turned back, so now the sky darkens before five pm. Strangely, I feel rather peaceful in the long evening. I met James and his friend Marcia and went to a sports center in London for the first time. Every day I bask in Jazel's warmth, and in fact this evening I had a big meal prepared by her. One day I told her, "Every time when I go out with friends, they'll call up their partners when it's late. I often think who cares about my safety at moments like that." So one night when Jazel had to come back late, we started the habit of calling each other to make sure we are safe and sound. We are more than friends. We are family. Though there is only a person like that in this big city for me, it suffices.




做完第三本速寫本了!

I finished my 3rd sketchbook! 


夏天和小方兒去旅行。

I went traveling with Von in summer. 


這看起來不太像小方,汪達姨已經很努力地在加強速描技巧了!

This doesn't look like Von, but auntie Wanda has worked very hard at drawing! 


老師一直鼓勵大家要採用敘事的形式,所以我把和小方阿楷分手的故事畫出來。那天我和小蕙聊天,才發現我也是個感情很重的人,不要緊,我就找個像小方重感情的人好了。

The tutors have encouraged us to take up the narrative form of expression, so I adopted the comic form in telling the story of my saying goodbye to Von and Kai. When I chatted with Hui over the phone the other day, I realized that I am someone with heavy feelings. It doesn't matter. I should find someone like Von, who is deeply attached to me. 




嘉蕊送給我速描用的小木人,我把他拿來畫我夏天起跑的過程變化。

Jazel gave me the wooden man for sketching. I used it to draw the process in which I took off in summer. 


夏天搭捷運時儘量不走樓梯,是另一種形式的被困。

I avoided taking the stairs when taking the MRT during summer, but in fact I felt trapped by the restriction and by my knees as well. 


我喜歡磨墨,夏天也磨了一些。

I love to grind ink, and I did that in summer too. 




夏末離開前進了辦公室,我的位置看起來像上圖所示,然後大家和我說再見。

In the end of summer before I left, I went into the office, and my desk looked like what was shown in the image. And everyone waved goodbye to me. 


夏天畫了壁畫。

I did the mural project in summer. 


到了剩下幾頁時通常有靈感枯竭之感。

I tend to have the artist block when there are only a few pages left. 


夏天台北會下大雷雨,但是下完之後城市有種無比清爽的感覺。

There is pouring rain on summer afternoons in Taipei, but afterwards the city feels exceptionally fresh. 


和小蕙去基隆港慶生。

I celebrated my birthday with Hui at Keelung Harbor. 


和薛吉白華和荳荳去朱銘美術館看夜景。

I went to Juming Museum with Shaggy, Pai-hwa and Bean for the night view. 


和阿長愛雪去山上旅行。

I traveled to the mountains with Mom and Dad. 




夏天要結束之前來到了英國‧‧‧

Before summer ended, I came to the UK...

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

imagined drawing III / 想像畫法(三)


上周六過得很混亂,傍晚回到家,在又傷心又寂寞的晚上,畫畫有療癒的效果,果然到了週日早上起床又是一條活龍,窗外的天氣美好,我就坐在窗前享受著陽光,很努力地把第二本速寫本畫完,晚上還寫了書法要送給維琪,因為她的主題和鋼有關。

Last Saturday was rather hectic, and we finally made it home in the evening. On a sad and lonely night, drawing helped me to recuperate. It was no surprise that I bounced back when getting up on Sunday morning. The weather was more than agreeable, and I sat at my desk basking in the sunshine, trying with all my might to fill the second sketchbook. In the evening I wrote calligraphy for Vicky for her topic is "the steel experience."


又回到數學題了,因為之前幾張圖似乎一直在拒絕理財,我決定換個態度,用正面的心情對待數字。

Back to math questions. I had the feeling that I  was rejecting to face money management in the previous images, so I decided to take a different attitude and face numbers with positive thinking. 




太多時候我們只看解答,不想原因。

Too often we look only at the answer without thinking about the causes at all. 


我常想,這世界上的房子可能比人口還多,兩邊的總數不合。

I often think, there are more houses than people in the world. The sums on two sides are not right. 


我在會計師的眼睛裡長這樣吧!

I probably look so in the eye of an accountant. 


好多人努力計算每餐卡路里,最後節實計劃都付諸流水。

So many people work on the calory intake of every meal only to have the diet plan gone with the wind... 


我這個人的總數是不同的色塊,麥特很喜歡這一張,尤其是黑色的外輪廓線。

My sums as a human being are different color blocks. Matt likes this image, especially the black contour line. 


有時去到很遠的地方要換上好幾種交通工具,但有可能最後到達的是個大黑洞。

Sometimes our destination is so faraway that the distance has to be covered with different means of transportation, but we might only end up in a big black hole. 


畫到這張我已經江郎才盡了,只好換形式來點漫畫。月亮要算好數學,因為每晚要以不同大小出現,太陽很慶幸自己沒有這個困擾。

I was at my wits' end when I got so far. Thus I tried the comic form. The mother moon advises her child to get his sums right because he has to appear in different sizes every night. The sun is glad that he doesn't have such worries. 


上週末和凱特在肯辛頓花園時,我們真得繞著樹想測量樹的年齡!我一直沒有空寫信給江老師,但墨汁很好用,我在這裡常使用它,做出來的東西也受到老師稱讚,有誰可以幫我謝謝阿吉老師嗎?

Last Sunday when we were in Kensington Gardens with Caterina, we did hold our hands around a tree to measure its age! I have not had time to write to Jim, but Chinese ink comes in really handy. My works done with Chinese ink are constantly praised by the teachers. I am wondering if anyone out there can help me thank Jim when you see him... 


這是我上週的人生課題解答,想通了,我要前進了!向第三本速寫本邁進!

This is the answer to my last week's big life lesson. I have figured out the answer, and am more than ready to move on to my 3rd sketchbook! 

雖然今天老師沒有很仔細地翻閱我的速寫本,我覺得自己是用人生在做作業的,老師說有人只是畫線條,畫面裡感受不到對畫畫的熱情,我想知道別人看我的作品是什麼感覺?請和我說。

Though Matt didn't take much time to go through my sketchbook, I thought I used my whole life to do the assignment. Mike said that some people just drew lines on the pages without showing joy for drawing. I'd like to know how you feel when looking at my images. Please leave messages for me. 

上個星期聽到了很多當插畫家的現實面,儘管如此,我知道自己在這裡的日子有限,因此我打了個比方,我這麼努力,就像我知道自己什麼時候會死,所以在那之前的每分每秒我都不想浪費。老師說對插畫家來說,畫畫就是人生,要畫到像有強迫症,這個我應該有吧!

Last week I heard about the realistic sides of being an illustrator. Despite so, I know that my days here are numbered, so I compare the end of my stay here to death. Since I know when I will die,  I don't feel like wasting a second before that happens. The teachers said that for illustrators, drawing is their whole life. We have to draw to a compulsive degree. Well, I have that right? 

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Rehab II / 復健 貳

大家一定都有我正在勤加復健的錯覺,其實我在醫生開給我一連串物理治療之後便逃之夭夭,我發現與其每天去醫院報到,不如保持愉快的心情。

My readers must have the illusion that I've been working hard on rehabilitation. The truth is, I fled after the doctor prescribed a long list of physical therapy for me. I figured that instead of spending the rest of summer in the hospital, my body will feel happier if I stay in a good mood mentally.

我倒是花不少時間製作捲髮人復健系列的圖片,因為醫生給我的講義很不吸引人,而我又需要動力練習畫不好的竹子,我想生病的人更需要看一些好看的東西。

However, I did spend much time on my Miss Curly's Rehab series. The handouts given by the doctor are really ugly, and I needed strong motivation to practice painting bamboos. After all, the ill deserve to look at something beautiful.

以下的動作雖然是設計給高齡人士的復健動作,但是既然各位都來到我的部落格了,就站起來做做伸展操,以保健康喔!

Though the exercise below is designed for geriatrics, I advise everyone reading my post now to stand up and stretch a little bit to stay healthy!

伸展運動的好處:
可放鬆身體,保持柔軟度。

Advantages of stretching: 
It will help your body to relax and remain supple.

什麼時候可以做伸展運動?
任何時候,如起床、久站或久坐後。

When to do stretching exercise? 
Anytime, such as after getting up, having stood or sat for a long while.

伸展運動應該注意的重點:
一、開始伸展時,不要來回晃動。有拉緊的感覺,但以不會痛為宜。
二、呼吸緩慢有節奏。向前屈身時,吐氣;維持姿勢不動時,舒緩呼吸。
三、維持伸展姿勢,心中默數十至二十秒。

Tips on stretching: 
1. When you start stretching, don't swing back and forth. Pull your body on the premise that it doesn't hurt.
2. Breathe in a slow and rhythmic manner. When bending forth, you should exhale. When remaining still at a posture, breathe slowly.
3. Each move takes about 10 to 20 seconds.


簡單伸展十二招:


Twelve stretching exercises: 

一、站姿小腿伸展:前腿彎曲,後膝伸直。

1. The standing position to stretch the calf: Bend the front leg. Straighten the knee of the back leg.



二、伸展大腿前肌群。

2. Stretch the anterior thigh muscles. 



三、頸部及上背部向前伸展:骨盆固定於椅背後,向前彎,維持十至二十秒。

3. Stretch the neck and the upper back forward: With the pelvis positioned to the back of the chair, you bend forth, remaining that way for 10 to 20 seconds. 



一節一節,伸直腰椎、胸椎、頸椎。

Straighten your lumbar (waist) spine, thoracic (chest) spine, and cervical (neck) spine one after another. 



四、頸部側彎伸展:注意對側肩膀,不可聳起,結束後換邊再做。

4. Stretch the neck sideways: Don't raise the opposing shoulder. Bend the neck the other way afterwards. 



五、伸展肩部後肌肉:左手托住右手肘,拉右手向胸,維持十至二十秒,對側亦然。

5. Stretch the posterior muscles of the shoulder: Use the left hand to pull the right elbow to the chest. Remain that way for 10 to 20 seconds. The same goes with the opposing side. 



六、伸展後背頸部、胸部和腰部:從腰椎、胸椎、頸部慢慢旋轉,維持十至二十秒,對側亦然。

6. Stretch the back neck, the chest and the waist: Turn slowly from the waist spine, the chest spine and the neck spine. Remain that way for 10 to 20 seconds. The same goes with the opposing side. 


七、伸展臀部肌肉:右腳放在左大腿上膝蓋處由臀部開始,上身向前傾。對側亦然。

7. Stretch hip muscles: Place the right leg above the left knee. Bend the upper body from the hips. The same goes with the opposing side. 



八、伸展下背部大腿後側肌肉:彎曲一腳,向對側的胸口,維持十至二十秒,對側亦然。

8. Stretch the lower back and the posterior thigh muscles: Bend one leg and pull it toward the chest of the opposing side. Remain that way for 10 to 20 seconds. Go to the other leg and do the same. 



九、延長伸展:伸展雙腿、雙手。

9. Extend and Stretch: Stretch both legs and arms. 



十、下背及臀部向側邊伸展:曲一膝九十度,對側腿伸直,維持十至二十秒,對側亦然。

10. Stretch the lower back and the hip sideways: Bend one knee 90 degrees, with the opposing leg straightened. Remain that way for 10 to 20  seconds. The same goes with the opposing side. 



十一、下背部全彎曲:平躺,吐氣時兩手抱於膝蓋,維持十至二十秒。

11. Bend the lower back: Lie flat on your back. Hold both legs below the knees and exhale. Remain that way for 10 to 20 seconds. 



十二、俯臥背部伸展:雙手與肩同寬,撐起上半身,維持十至二十秒。

12. Lie on your stomach to stretch the back: Use two hands placed shoulder-width apart to support the upper body for about 10 to 20 seconds. 



Monday, July 11, 2011

Sun Flavor / 太陽口味


小朋友對於時間的流逝沒有大人敏感,小方將近五歲,學會了一星期的七天,但是好像還沒有月份的觀念,所以和小方講電話,有種不受時間限制的跳躍感。

Children do not have a very strong sense of time. Von finally learns that there are seven days in a week as he is turning five, but he seems not to have cultivated the idea of months. Thus, when I talk to him on the phone, it feels so free since his narration is not restricted by the fixed conception of time. 

小方:這個月是七月,七月再過一天就是我的生日了。
汪達:不是,是再過一個月,你的生日在八月。
小方:八月再過一個月就是阿嬤的生日。
汪達:我也是九月生日,而且我生日那天晚上要飛倫敦。
小方:那我早上去幫你慶生好了。
汪達:你忘記你要開始上學啦!我們可以前一天晚上一起吃蛋糕。

Von: It is July now. One day after July comes my birthday. 
Wanda: No, it's next month. Your birthday is in August. 
Von: One month after August we'll celebrate Granny's birthday. 
Wanda: My birthday is in September too. I'll fly to London on the evening. 
Von: Then I'll celebrate your birthday for you in the morning. 
Wanda: You forgot that you are going to school starting from fall? We can celebrate it on the previous evening though. 

想到小方說的早上慶生,我的蛋糕應該是太陽口味的吧!

Thinking of Von's plan to celebrate my birthday in the morning, I figure my cake should be of the sun flavor! 

Sunday, May 01, 2011

Lost love / 失去的愛


“Lost love is still love. It takes a different form, that’s all. You can’t see their smile or bring them food or tousle their hair or move them around a dance floor. But when those sentences weaken, another heightens. Memory. Memory becomes your partner. You nurture it. You hold it. You dance with it. Life has to end. Love doesn’t.”

by Mitch Albom


「失去的愛依舊是愛,它只是以不同形式存在。你看不見他們的微笑或無法拿東西給他們吃,也不能搔搔他們的頭髮和和擁著他們跳舞,但是當這些感覺漸漸逝去,回憶卻越來越強烈,回憶變成你的伴侶,你呵護著它、抱著它、和它共舞。生命會走到盡頭,但愛不會。」

-米奇 • 愛爾邦

Monday, March 14, 2011

singing frogs / 蛙鳴


原來我不是辦公室裡唯一消化不良的人,我的鄰居艾蜜莉剛好也犯了胃病,我們的症狀一樣,因為氣找不到出口,只好靠人工的打嗝方式得到紓解,於是此起彼落的蛙鳴就在我們之間流動著。

It turned out that I am not the only person with the indigestion problem in the office. My neighbor Emily has exactly the same symptom, also caused by too much stress. The “chi” can’t find any exit in our bodies, so we can only alleviate the pain by belching constantly. Thus, in the silence between us flows the hoarse singing of two sick frogs…

Monday, February 28, 2011

again and again / 再一次


帶著一點點的害怕,我在四年之後又開始了國畫課。今天早上風和日麗,我就坐在書桌前心平氣和地磨墨,突然發現沒甚麼好怕的。我把第一次的作品記錄下來,不是因為它特別好,而是希望之後的每一張都可以更好。

With a little bit of fear, I re-take Chinese painting lessons after an interval of four years. This sunny morning, I sat in front of the desk grounding the ink peacefully. Little by little, my fear of not being able to do well evaporated. I took a photo of my first work not because it is good but because I hope each of my future works will be better than this.

New attempt / 新嘗試


我的Etsy小店開張了,但是我對於客戶喜好還不是很清楚,大家請給我意見吧!


請問:哪一種卡片會吸引你的注意力?


My Etsy shop is open. However, I haven’t got a grasp of clients’ tastes. If you have something to share, please leave me a message!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/frommylittleroom?ref=pr_shop

Question: What kind of cards tends to grab your attention?