Showing posts with label watercolor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label watercolor. Show all posts

Sunday, December 06, 2015

Simple pleasures / 小確幸


每天我都在練習增進生活的喜悅感。出門之前要和男孩聊聊天,今天小王子的髮絲像海浪一樣狂野,阿嬤就得擔任專職的美髮設計師,為楷維整髮,然後我在一旁幫他速寫。

I am practicing accumulating my daily simple pleasures. Before going to work, I usually have a morning chat with the boys. Today Kai's hair curls like wild sea waves. Granny has to serve as his stylist. Meanwhile, I can't help sketching his cool hairstyle. 



        上班時和一朵快要枯萎的緬梔花相遇,雖然已經過了最美麗的瞬間,但還是很優雅芳香,於是我趕緊為她留下紀念。

     I come across a withering Frangipani flower at work. It has lost the blooming charm, but to me, it's still graceful and fragrant. I am so in love with it that I can't resist recording its beauty. 

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Look for myself / 找自己


找自己的旅途上,有一個爸爸說:「看,姐姐在畫圖耶!」我一抬起頭,他馬上說:「是阿姨!阿姨是插畫家!」我已經是阿姨了,不變的是,我一直是插畫家!

As I am looking for myself, a father exclaims, "See, the big sis is sketching!" When I raise my head, he immediately changes his line, "Oh it's an auntie. Auntie is an illustrator!" Well, I've become an auntie, but what remains the same is, I am always an illustrator! 

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Good appetite / 好胃口


每天對生活總是有很大的胃口,做了很多嚐試,還是不滿足;寫了很多故事,老是覺得不夠;我想把整個地球的經驗吃掉。

Every day I am hungry. I make many attempts, but I hardly feel satisfied; I write many stories, but I rarely feel content. If possible, I could eat the earth up!

        原來是很久沒有好好畫畫!

     Ah, it must be that I haven't drawn seriously for ages!

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Accumulation / 多了什麼?


六年不見傑哥了,他和雅雯旋風式地回台兩週,又灑脫地回紐約。上次他們要離開的前一晚,我睡不著,後來想想應該是有些情緒,這一次我們送完機直接到附近的竹圍漁港看夕陽,我坐在漁港前速寫到眼前一片黑,當天晚上也安然地入睡,暗自慶幸隨著年歲增長,對於分別這件事我應該越來越在行了。

I hadn't seen my younger brother Jei for six years. He and his wife Claire flew away cooly after a short visit home for two weeks. Last time the night before he left, I had insomnia. Well, I always get quite sentimental at moments of saying goodbye. This time we headed for Zhu-wei Fisherman's Wharf right after seeing them off at the airport. I sketched the harbor at sunset until I couldn't see anything in front of me. I slept soundly the same night, which means I have learned to bid farewell as I age. 

        最近上課教到accumulation這個字,我問孩子們:年紀大之後,會多了些什麼?他們的回答很可愛,孩子會變多,皺紋會變多,白頭髮會變多,經驗會變多,智慧會變多,我卻想說:放下的東西會變多。

   We are learning the word "accumulation" this week. I ask the girls the question, "What accumulates as we get older?" They offer various answers like children, wrinkles, gray hair, experience and wisdom. My answer is, "The things and people we leave behind." 

        不過我的心不贊同我,這週不知怎麼搞的,夢到好多好久不見的人,只見過一次的人都入夢來。

   However, my heart doesn't agree with me. I have been dreaming of people I no longer see, even those whom I've seen only once in my entire life. 

        有時候我也討厭自己這麼內斂,什麼都塞到心底,卻自以為放下了。

   Sometimes I really dislike myself for being repressed. I stuff everything into a corner of my heart,  meanwhile believing that I have left them go.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Thai for Beginners / 人生學分班


我看了好幾年的泰劇,雖然劇情荒謬到我常難以啟齒和別人說,但是今年春天我終於決定去上泰文課,教課的海倫老師有很特別的理論,口說和書寫班是分開的,她相信不識泰文字也可以說一口流利的泰文,所以我現在有滿腦子的聲音,不過我完全看不懂那些複雜的小蝌蚪。

I had been a fan of Thai lakorns for a few years, but the plots are usually so insane that I found it quite embarrassing to tell others that I have such a "special" hobby. However, I finally decided to take up Thai lessons this past spring. Teacher Helen has her own theory--she believes that not having the writing ability doesn't hamper oral communication, so the conversation class and alphabet class are separate. Now my head is full of all kinds of Thai sounds, but I can't read in Thai at all. 

拖了很久才決定去上課,因為想到之前學過的無數語言,通常到了某個階段就宣告停滯,可是去上之後才又再度意識到我生來就是要學語言的,這幾個月因為泰文課很快樂。課堂上有種很單純喜悅的氛圍,放掉平常生活中的小憂小慮,我只要跟著老師複誦,回到家如果在泰劇裡聽得懂某個字,這樣就開心滿足。

I had my concern which made me put off learning Thai. I couldn't help thinking of the languages I had tried to master. I usually ended up giving them up at a certain point. Yet it didn't occur to me again that I was born to learn languages until I learned Thai. Over the past few months Thai class has made me very happy. In class I can let go of the insignificant worries that obsess me in my everyday life and focus only on memorizing the sounds. And if I happen to hear the words in the lakorn I am watching, I will be as cheerful as a little child. 

剛開始上課時,老師說有問題可以私下問,順便爆料有人已經先問了「我愛你」怎麼說且飛往泰國會情人了,讓我想到丹麥電影「戀愛學分班」,普通的義大利文課卻是學生們生活中的重大寄託,我已經過了學語言和當地人談戀愛的年紀,可是在課上可以感受到旁邊小男生的悸動,大家為了各種理由來上課,雖然我們互不認識,在那一個半小時裡我們融合成一體,下課後又各自散去,多麼沒有負擔的關係。

At the beginning of the term, the teacher reminded us that we could always go to her in private for any question. She then revealed that a student had already asked her how to say "I love you" because of his Thai lover. I recalled the Danish movie Italian for Beginners. The ordinary Italian class plays such an important role in the students' lives. Truth be told, I am way over the age of falling in love with someone who is a native speaker of the language I am learning, but I happen to sit next to the young guy, so I can always feel that sweet air of love in class. Everyone comes to learn Thai for different reasons. Though we don't know one another, we are one huge body during the 1.5 hours. After class, we go in our own directions without feeling attached. How simple...

除了上課的快樂,每次去上泰文課總會在路上遇到認識的友人或好久不見的學生,有些時候的際遇真的令我大呼神奇,所以每週都像是有驚喜的散步之旅。

Besides the joy of being a student, I come across friends or ex-students on my way. Sometimes the experience so dramatic that I am wowed. The walk every week is really full of surprises. 

老師總提到泰國人的生活哲學,不知道我是不是有悟性,現在的我看透了之前想不通的一些事,覺得很輕鬆自在,泰國老師總愛說:kong Thai chob sabai sabai,意思是泰國人喜歡舒服簡單,對啊,人生若是要逆勢而為多辛苦呢!反而是什麼都放開後才發現我和人之間的連結是如此緊密。

The teachers always mention Thai people's life philosophy. I wonder if it's because I am a good student. Now I have seen through some puzzles that I couldn't for a long while, and I feel so peaceful. Our Thai teacher loves to say, kong Thai chob sabai sabai, which means Thai people love the simple and comfy way. Right, how hard it is to go against the flow! It is after I let go that I realize my connection with people is amazingly close. 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Little Bee / 小蜜蜂


過了半年,我終於把凱特琳娜的中國字寫成故事,可是在嘗試媒材之際卻毫無方向,玩到第四個版本時,楷維跑來湊熱鬧,倒產生了預期之外的效果。

After half a year, I finally wrote a story based on Caterina's favorite words. However, I was and am rather clueless when looking for the appropriate media. When I got to the fourth version, Kai's naughtiness inspired me, which brought about quite unexpected effect. 



雖然我現在也不知道最後的成品會如何,但是在困惑裡摸索也是件充滿樂趣的事。

Though I have no idea what the final look will be, but it's actually fun to grope for my way in confusion...

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Encountering Chopin / 遇見蕭邦


這個春天在捷運上常常遇到叫蕭邦的男孩,但蕭邦都在睡覺,回家之後搜索音樂家蕭邦的圖片,不知道他會不會覺得大家都浪費了春日的好天氣?

This spring, I often encounter a young boy whose name has the same translation as the musician Chopin in Chinese on the MRT. But the young Chopin is dozing off all the time. I can't help searching for the portraits of the real Chopin. If he were also taking the metro ride, would he feel that people were wasting the beautiful spring days? 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Yuanfen / 緣份


我們家有兩組人馬的生日是同一天,其他的即使不在同一天,也只差了兩三天,雖然這一切可以解釋成巧合,可是大家幹嘛都擠在一起出生呢?

Two sets of people in my family were born on the same date. As for others, even though their birth dates are not exactly the same, they are only two or three days apart. All this can be explained as coincidence, but I'd rather think it's because we were born to be family. 

爸爸、弟弟和楷維都出生在五月二十七日,說來他們有一些舉動真讓人覺得似曾相識:這星期某一天媽媽帶楷維去買麵包,風吹得很急,小楷維直用手整理頭髮,媽媽一看不免心驚,這不是她先生最常做的舉動嗎?這天出生的人顯然都很愛美!回家媽媽告訴爸爸這件趣事時,爸爸不禁會心一笑⋯

Dad, Jun and Kai were all born on May 27. A lot of their gestures or personalities give us a sense of deja-vu. For example, when Mom took Kai to a bakery this week, Kai couldn't help combing his hair as the wind blew hard. When Mom saw that, her heart skipped a beat. That so reminded her of her dear husband! Obviously, people born on this day give much attention to their appearance. When we told Dad about the story, he laughed, meaning "so true..." 

緣份真是妙不可言,能在這麼有緣份的家庭生活,難怪我們不時嘻嘻哈哈的。

There's no English word for "Yuan-fen," because the word destiny or fate just can't define it.  Wikipedia defines it as "the binding force that links two people together in a relationship." I live in a family with strong yuanfen, and that's why we always have a jolly time!

Friday, September 14, 2012

What I miss / 我想念的


三月底去巴黎時並沒有太認真地速寫,但是那些隨意的塗抹現在看來無比珍貴,因為那些時刻無法重新來過。

When I traveled in Paris at the end of March, I wasn't in the mood for drawing. Yet those casual doodles seem unusually precious now because the moments they record can't be relived.



四月去了北愛爾蘭之後的喃喃自語。

My intimate murmur after the trip to North Ireland in April. 



這個星期我又開始速寫,因為不論現在的線條如何,將來的我會想念它們。

This week I have started to sketch again. I know no matter how messy or unsure my lines now are, I am bound to miss them in the future. 

Friday, October 07, 2011

critique / 互評日



這個星期太興奮了,連睡覺都睡不太著,早上想,難道我水彩有那麼差嗎?六點多起來畫昨天介紹的書店。今天早上又雀躍地出門去,德瑞克說明本學期要交的功課,包括每周專題的筆記、最後要生產出來的報告,還有就是接下來四個星期要緊鑼密鼓畫的速寫本。星期四會有兩位助教進來─傑克和露意絲,但其實他們都是全職的插畫家和設計師,傑克一開始問:有人不喜歡畫畫嗎?特雷莎很誠實地說她怕自己畫不好,傑克說畫畫是人類表達情感的本能,孩子們都喜歡畫畫,只是長大到某個階段就不畫了。

I am so hyper this week that I can hardly sleep. This morning I thought to myself, are my watercolor paintings so awful? I woke up at 6:40 to try the watercolor version of ARTWORDSBOOKSHOP. This morning I left home in a gleeful mood again. Derek explained the assignments we should hand in this term, including the notes for every week's lecture, the paper due at the end, and then the sketchbook(s) we have to draw in during the following four weeks. Every Thursday two tutors Jake and Louise will come in, but they are both professional illustrators and designers. Jake started by asking, "Is there anyone who hates drawing?" Teresa was very honest to admit that she is afraid of not drawing well. Jake said that drawing is mankind's instinct to express their emotion. Children all love drawing, but at a certain point they stop doing it. 

去年面試時不太懂教授要的是什麼,代辦中心的人員說校方想看到的是研究和發展想法的過程,並不想只看到最後的成品。今天助教們很仔細地解釋,他們希望學生能夠用繪畫去探索自我,並且不要只限於一種表現方式,最好各方嘗試。

Last year when I was interviewed, I couldn't quite figure out what the professor was looking for. The agent told me that the school hoped to see a sketchbook full of research and development of ideas instead of final pieces. Today the tutors explained very carefully that drawing is a means of self-exploration. We shouldn't limit our style. It'll be so much better to try all.

露意絲介紹三種繪畫─觀察法的寫生、記憶法的繪畫和想像式的創作,接下來的數個禮拜會包涵這三方面的練習,例如下周一的行程就是去大英博物館寫生。

Louise introduced three kinds of drawing--observed, remembered and imagined. During the following weeks, the courses will cover all three of them. For example, next Monday we have a field trip to the British Museum for life drawing. 

傑克說一定要好好利用他們倆,因為他們都是在業界工作的人,而且我們付了高額的學費就要把錢的價值發揮到最大,小喬說:那可以虐待你們嗎?雖然有點冷,不過小喬是個蠻誠懇的孩子。

Jake said that we have to use them two because they both work in the industry. Besides, since we've paid high tuition fee, we have to get the money's worth. Joe kidded, "Can we abuse you?" Kind of cold, but Joe is a pretty sincere kid. 


中午吃飯的時候英國同學都各自散去,畫室裡剩下亞洲同學,我有種好像兩方都可以溝通、卻又都不屬於的感覺。很多人沒有做暑假作業,就是用一本速寫本研究「我的空間」的主題,最後用五張圖呈現,我這個星期一才知道,但一聽到時心裡其實有很多想法。助教幫沒有做作業的人指派去圖書館做功課,有做的人則參加互評會,我很想加入後者,所以吃午餐時誰也不找,趕快把圖書館的作業完成,我就要去欣賞同學的血汗之作。

During lunch time, most British students went on their own ways. Only some international students stayed in the studio. Today I had the feeling that I could join both groups, but I do not belong to either one. Many people didn't do the summer project, which is to use a sketchbook for research on the topic "My Space" and present 5 final images. I didn't hear about it until this past Monday, but in fact, I had so many ideas when I heard about it. The tutors assigned a task for those who didn't do the homework while those who did had to be in the critique session. I wanted to join the latter, so I didn't talk to anyone during lunch. As soon as I finished the task, I was going to appreciate the lovely works of my fellow classmates. 

果然俄國同學泰緹安娜的速寫本又再度吸引助教的目光,我已經把她定義成這個班的資優生,助教說翻一個人的速寫本就可以了解這個人,泰緹安娜的構圖線條和顏色都很有水準,我一定要從他身上學習。我現在清楚知道這裡要的工作模式了,就是拿到一個主題之後,我們如果想不出來要做什麼,得去博物館或美術館作研究,從中抓出一個有興趣的點,再往下發展。有的同學因為思緒零散,最後可能走到一個自己也做不下去的點,不過每個人都有優點,繪畫基本功沒有那麼紮實的人可能在說故事方面很擅長,這真是很豐富的兩個小時,而且基本上大家都很用功。

Again the Russian classmate Tatiana's works captured the tutors' eye. I define her as one of the top students in class. Jake said that as he looks through a person's sketchbook, he can understand what he or she is like. Tatiana's composition, lines and colors are really professional. I think I will learn a lot from her. I have gained a very clear comprehension of the work module here. After we get a topic, if we can't think of anything to do right away, we have to go to museums or libraries to do research, from which we search for a point that interests us and we go further from that point on. Some students get sidetracked and are led to a dead end without being able to know what they really want to say or do. However, everyone has their own strengths. For those who might not have solid drawing skills, they are good, say, in story-telling skills or creating a certain ambience in their images. These were two enriched hours for me, and basically, everyone is quite hardworking.

休息時間過後是每週專題演講,我們要走到另一個校區去聽課,因為這個演講開給各個學位的學生。我又一個人,於是我邊走邊拍照,也不錯。

After the break, it was the weekly lecture. We have to walk to the other campus for it because this lecture is open to students that study in all levels of programs. I was alone again, so I took photos along the way, which was rather nice.










這幾天氣溫下降很多,是秋天的天氣了,還好太陽始終沒離開我。

Over the past few days, the temperature has dropped. Autumn has officially settled in. Luckily, the sun has not deserted me. 












倫敦的雲迷人到不行,我拍了一個月都還不厭倦。

The clouds in the London sky are so fascinating that I haven't got tired of taking photos of it after almost a month. 




威爾森分校很小,不過建築古典,終於有點藝術學校的遐想。

The Wilson campus is very small, but the classical style gives the feel of what an art school should be like. 

走進去時有個同班的男孩說,演講廳裡一個人影也沒有,我們決定一起進去等,這個孩子很友善,他說:我認得你。然後我們就開始閒聊了起來,他叫亞當,不過也是平面設計組的,我趁機偷問他們下周去大英博物館的功課,據說每個人抽一個文化區,亞當抽到了希臘,然後也要用速寫本記錄,他還提到德瑞克要他們用四條線組成一個畫面,我也真想做他們的作業啊!

When I walked in the hall, a boy from my class told me that there was no one in the lecture hall, but we decided to wait inside together. This was a very friendly boy. He said, "I recognize you," and then we began to chat. His name is Adam, but he also belongs to the graphic art group. I took the chance to ask about their assignment for the British Museum visit. He said that everyone has to do research on a culture. For example, his is Greece. He also mentioned that they are asked to form an image with only four lines. Sigh, I feel like doing their assignment too. 

接著潔米艾登一群人也進來了,他們一路走上二樓的座位區,跟這幾個人在一起總是有冒險的感覺,樓上黑漆漆的,我和艾登說:這是要怎樣寫筆記呢?於是大家又走下樓,艾登問:你可以教我中文嗎?我答:這是很大的工程,得固定上課什麼的,然後他又問了一些中文書寫的問題。因為他都還蠻大方和我分享畫畫的心得,下週一去大英博物館時因為我們要帶各種紙去,我要送他一種紙,哈哈,大家來猜猜看!

Then another group of people such as Jamie, Aiden and Laura came in. They walked all the way to the second floor. It feels quite adventurous being with these kids. It was rather dark upstairs, so I told Aiden, "How do you make notes here?" We thus walked down again. Aiden asked, "Can you teach me Chinese?" I replied, "It's a huge task. You gotta have class on a regular basis." Then he went on to ask me questions about Chinese words and writing. Since he is very generous in sharing with me tips of drawing, I am going to give him a kind of paper when we go to the British Museum next Monday because we are required to bring all kinds of paper there. Everyone guess! 


因為大姐不能老跟著小男生,我最後坐到亞洲區,旁邊的小妹是廣州來的,演講開始前她拿出洋娃娃放在胸前,我筆記都不知抄到哪裡了,妹妹在筆記本上亂寫字,我很擔心地對他說:那個筆記要算分的,你要做筆記。他很無耐地只好寫一下PowerPoint上列的重點。平常英國人開玩笑我有不懂的地方,不過講到現代主義的流派我居然聽的一清二楚,雖然德瑞克講不到一個小時,但回家如果好好研究應該是可以耗掉好幾天的時間。

I can't follow these boys all the time, so in the end I was seated in the Asian area. The young girl next to me is from Guanzhou. Before the lecture started, she took out a doll and placed it before her chest. I was jotting down the notes like crazy, but she was scribbling on the pad. I told her with worries, "The notes are part of the assessment. You have to make notes." She looked rather helpless, but still managed to copy the key points listed on the Powerpoint pages. Sometimes I don't get what the Brits joke about, but when it comes to academic lectures, I found it easier than having some daily conversations. Though Derek's lecture didn't last longer than an hour, it will take days for me to do research on the art schools of modernism. 


明天不用上學,但我要好好讀書去啦!

Tomorrow is a self-study day, but I am going to bury myself in books and sketchbooks! 

Thursday, September 22, 2011

boys / 男孩們


這個星期和學校簽約的健康診所來宿舍幫大家登記健康保險,護理人員說明各種基本服務,說到避孕這一塊時,很仔細地講解性行為過後的避孕丸使用方式,的確啦,現在我窗外的風景不只團體聚會,有一晚想問人交通問題,一打開窗戶,外面的兩個孩子已經親吻起來,我只好識相地關起窗。因為主講的先生說得很詳細,他一邊告訴大家第一天使用避孕丸的成效是多少,講到第五天,我很哀怨地環視交誼廳裡的男孩們,年齡幾乎是我的一半,還不包括性向考量,心想,為什麼要和我說這種話題,這裡沒有一個可以讓我覺得可能談戀愛的人,這真是歐巴桑的哀歌。

This week the GP health people came to Brooke Hall to register for students. The medical staff explained all kinds of basic service provided. When it comes to contraception, the speaker focused on morning-after pills. There is indeed the necessity for him to do so because now more and more stories are going on outside my window. There are not just group gatherings. One night when I would like to ask someone about transportation, I saw two kids kissing happily after opening the window. The only way for me to exit was to close the window again, quietly. The speaker explained in detail the effects of taking the pills on the first, second until fifth day after having sex. While he rambled on, I looked around the room with sadness because the boys in my sight are almost half my age, and I didn't take into account their preferred gender yet. I couldn't help sighing in my heart wondering the use of telling me about this subject. There is literally no one I can fall in love with here. 


昨晚回到家,眼前又是坐成一大圈的睡前趴,孩子們邊抽煙,腳邊放了稀稀落落的幾瓶啤酒,看來青春的人比我還要苦悶。安蒂吃完宵夜之後,我們試圖預估這場派對何時會結束,才剛把窗簾拉開,同一層的純情少男小查比手勢叫我們加入,我和小查只是點頭微笑的關係,我猜他一定是喝了酒。他目光瞥到桌上吃完的牛肉洋蔥派,居然整個嘴唇貼到窗戶上,留了個大唇印,我很確定他喝酒了,連第一次見到他的安蒂都說這孩子一看就知道是那種很害羞敏感脆弱的男孩。接著喬伊也滾到我的窗前,和我炫耀自己剪的新髮型。孩子們可能有得到歐巴桑的暗示,很識相地把派對移師到庭院的遠處。

Upon coming home last night, I was confronted with another huge circle of party in front of my window. Kids smoked, with a few bottles of beer scattered around. Andie and I had the feeling that these youngsters are much more bored than me. After Andie finished her midnight snacks, we attempted to estimate when this party would draw to an end. No sooner had I pulled open the curtains than Charles, a very pure-looking boy who lives on my floor, gestured for us to join them. In fact, we are on a nodding and smiling term, no more than that, so I guessed he had drunk. When he glimpsed the emptied tray of beef and opinion pie, he glued his lips to my window, leaving a very passionate lip print on it. I was deadly sure that he had drunk because even Andie, who saw him for the first time last night, could tell that he is a shy, sensitive and maybe fragile boy. Next, Joey, who was playing with someone else, came to my window to show me his new haircut. Kids might have got the hint of the two middle-aged women, so they moved to the far end of the courtyard to continue their party. 

晚上要入睡前,我和安蒂很無聊地閒扯,如果是小查那種男孩適不適合談戀愛,安蒂說她會考慮那樣的男孩,我說他的愛可能很沉重,接著我就天馬行空地編故事,小查和住在他旁邊的愛德華很要好,但也許有一天酷哥阿華愛上別人,傷心的小查會不會來敲我窗戶說要和我談談,安蒂說應該不會,他可能會坐在窗前哭,是我會打開窗問他要不要進來喝一杯茶,然後我們就變成好朋友等等。(我在光天化日之下打這個白癡的故事時,小查和一位稍年長的金髮女士在我眼前緊緊擁抱,好像是後者要走了。)

Before going to bed, Andie and I gossiped out of boredom. We talked about whether we'd consider falling in love with someone like Charles. Andie said she'd give it a thought. I then reminded her, "His love might be heavy..." Then I went on to make up silly stories. Based on my observation, Charles is quite close to his neighbor Edward, but one day when the latter falls in love with someone else, heartbroken Charles might come knock on my window asking if I could talk to him. Andie said he would probably sit in front of my window weeping and that I would open the window to invite him in for a cup of tea. I carried on to suggest that we we might become buddies etc. (While I am typing this terribly stupid story, Charles is hugging tightly a slightly older blonde lady right in front of my eyes. Looks like the woman is leaving.) 

雖然Brooke Hall裡沒有人可以談戀愛,男孩們愛吸煙,晚上還每天在我窗前聊到半夜,入睡前想到這些半熟不熟的孩子們,突然也有種依靠的感覺,並且暗自高興我不是住在充斥著和我年齡一樣的博士生宿舍。再怎麼樣男孩們也是我這一年的重要風景啊!

Though there is no one for me to love in Brooke Hall and the boys can't live without cigarettes and they chat like mad until midnight in front of my window almost every day, I feel that they can be my shoulders as well upon thinking of these kids whom I don't know well. I am secretly happy that it's not a dorm full of really dull PhD men who are of my age that I live in. Whatever happens, boys will form part of the tableau of my year in London! 

Sunday, September 04, 2011

on and on / 停不了

出國倒數五天,本來計劃這幾天東西要開始收拾,Etsy的My Little Room暫時不要上新貨,但是每天腦筋轉啊轉的,一個想法引到下一個想法,居然睡五個多小時也不覺得累。再加上前幾天非常幸運了得到三筆交易,我又去美術行採購了一堆東西,我和好幾個朋友說,我的房間現在充滿一袋一袋的貨品,說是野田妹的房間也不為過。昨天終於硬著頭皮把東西裝箱,果然裝不下,於是我又跑回去畫畫當作是逃避。

I am starting to count down days before leaving. Today is my fifth last day in Taiwan. I planned to clean my room and desk. More importantly, I knew I shouldn't come up with new items on my Etsy webpage for the time being. But I can't stop my brain from turning. One idea develops into another automatically. I don't even feel tired even though I sleep so much less than usual. Besides, I was very very lucky to land three deals during the weekend, which made me go shopping in the art supply shop. Now my room is full of bags of things I bought, which reminds me of Nodame's messy space. Yesterday I finally pulled myself together to pack, and I couldn't put in everything! It was kind of frustrating so I went back to paint as a getaway.

真的走到包裝貨品這一步,和之前只是一味推出新貨感覺很不同,讀了很多Etsy的新聞通訊和其它商家的建議,我學到要把顧客當作家人,包裝的時候帶著誠意和愛,其實包裝的時間不見得少於創作,但是花這個時間和心力是必要的,我希望顧客收到作品時會發出讚嘆聲,更希望他的那一整天都因為這個包裹變成多彩多姿。然後我會想著,在這世界上的某一角掛著我獨一無二的作品,這對我來說真的是很大的肯定,就像凱特琳娜說的,我必須讓人知道,現在創作對我來說不只是好玩而已,我是很認真地對待這件事。今天早上和小雪在討論一件新商品時,我問她其他可能的顏色選擇,她說:反正會吸引到不同的人。我回:可是我得自己先覺得這是件好東西。如果我自己都沒有自信,怎麼去說服顧客呢?

Now I've come to the part of wrapping an artwork and mailing it out. That is very different from posting a new item on my web shop. I've read many newsletters from Etsy and other sellers' tips. I learned I have to view customers as my family. When I wrap their order, I have to do it with sincerity and love. As a matter of fact, it might take me more time to wrap than to create, but it's necessary to invest so much time and energy. I hope that when my customer receives the work, they'll wow with joy. Most of all, I hope the package will make his/her day. I'll constantly think, my unique work is hung somewhere in the world, which is a very important recognition for me. Like what Caterina said, I have to convey the message that  I do not create just for fun now. I am taking it very seriously. This morning when I was discussing a potential item with Mom, I asked her about options of other colors. She said, "Different combinations will attract different people." I replied, "Well, but first of all, it has to convince me. How can I promote something that I don't even have confidence in?"

我要一直不斷感謝很多很多幫助我的人,我會很努力很謙卑很有誠意很堅持地走下去,現在就先耕耘吧!

I want to thank you all, especially those who keep giving me a hand without giving me up. I'll persist with hard work, humility, sincerity and ambition. Now it's all for work!


本日一物:啟程去─原創抽象水彩畫作─39.6 cm x 27 cm

object of the day: set to sail--original abstract watercolor painting--39.6 cm x 27 cm










我的確有想重覆受歡迎的商品主題或內容,但是我的靈感真的是不受控制,所以我的商店裡東西風格會迥異。這一陣子想到我的人生,覺得還蠻好玩的,教書的時候想如果不朝九晚五,可能會不適應,但當時已經有些具先見之明的朋友和我說,我會很開心,本來還半信半疑的,現在看來他們挺了解我的。目前我要先駛往不同的方向,,不管未來如何,這一刻我過得很充實,也會感激有這樣的生活經驗。

I do intend to repeat the themes or styles of popular items, but my inspirations are out of control. So the items in my web shop vary greatly in all aspects. When I think of my life now, I find the change really interesting. I'd thought I would feel lost without a 9-to-5 job when I was still teaching. But then some girls told me that I would have a blast. I wasn't so sure then, but it looks like they did know me well. For the time being, I am going to sail in a different direction. Whatever happens in the future, I'm living the present moment to its fullest, and I will be thankful forever for such a beautiful life experience. 


Sunday, August 28, 2011

to change or not / 守舊或革新

Etsy有個好玩的地方,每個經營者都看得到自己商店的統計數字,包括來訪的人數和訪客來源,至於商品的受歡迎度則是公開的,這些資料對店家很重要。經營Little Room兩週,最有人氣的是第一個放上去的商品─一百種愛情,剛開始幾天大家好像沒什麼迴響,讓我會想改變商品的風格,結果現在回頭發現最初的作品受到肯定,我不禁想,要不要回去做類似的東西呢?我便能體會為何當紅的許多藝術家或音樂家最後會被同一種風格所限了。最後我在守舊和創新之間找中間點,反正明天還可以選擇更創新嘛!

There's something fun about Etsy. Every seller sees the shop statistics of their stores, including the numbers and sources of visitors on a regular basis. The popularity of items is made public to everyone. The information can be translated into very significant messages for sellers. Having run Little Room for two weeks, the most popular item so far is the first one--100 kinds of love. In the first few days, I had the impression that people didn't think especially highly of it. Thus I kept thinking up items of completely different styles. Now I can't help wondering, shall I repeat similar styles or themes? I finally understand why famous artists or musicians stick to the same style. In the end, I settle for a middle point in between. Well, I can always come up with something totally new tomorrow!

每日一物:好朋友盒─九張一組─每張9.5 cm x 9.5 cm

object of the day: wonderful box of good friends--card set of 9--each 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm