*tylarking

Motivation, the fun way...

Do you ever have times where you need a little boost to get you motivated to do your art? I know I do...

And sometimes motivation comes as simply as doing a simple, fun, easy exercise out of art books or suggestions done along with other artists.

I've started up a blog (updated weekly), and anyone can follow along or check out some of the work I complete just from doing these 'warm up' exercises.

Come check it out! ^_^

[link]



Cheers, all * * *

Buddhist mandalas are fascinating! The mandala I made isn't conventional, but then, are there really specific rules?

Making them can be very engaging, uplifting or 'enlightening'! Or just plain fun. ^_^

I have a question that might seem silly! I will tell you a quick story and explain my question:

One day I was drawing at the zoo, here in New Zealand. I met a lone tourist girl from Japan, and though I could only speak very broken Nihongo, I offered to show her around the zoo. We had a great time - and I told her about my favorite artists - including Miyazaki, and about my love for Manga. The funny thing was, she didn't care for any of it! She told me she LOVED Disney! I just thought that was funny! But it was a great day, and I realized how we all can admire each others' cultures, both ways!

And of course, I got my wonderful name translation from my other friend Haiying!

So I wondered out of respect & admiration for everyone in different cultures: Do you find it offensive if an artist is NOT from a specific culture, but they want to include styles from that culture in their artwork, or even may include their translated signature instead of plain English?

*Edit* No one seems to mind - I understand there have been many artists (just look at Mangaka America) that have done it! I am just happily obsessed with such beautiful art and all the new experimental art done all the time - from all over the world! ***

I'd like to know how you feel about it! And note I've made a new sig (again lol)

Hope you enjoy it, nevertheless! Cheers,

-tylarking

Sorry! I've been delinquent, and life gets us busy sometimes! But am back now and intending to put more up again soon. ^_^

My Question:

I came across some wonderful dolls, I believe they are Japanese (I'll have to get out the camera sometime)...these dolls are very round, with lovely patterned material, and porcelain faces. I think their inside must be made of styrofoam? I searched the net but couldn't find out what kind of dolls these are!

Though I fell in love with "Kokeshi" dolls and such! It makes me want to create something of my own like that! If anyone knows of some good sites where I can research into these type of dolls and the more traditional stuff, please send a link over~! I would be grateful!





Now to check those wonderful deviations and messages...

Yes I'm back from vacation in Australia - and plan to post a bit about that later, and some doodles! But for this post, I'd like to introduce a fun, fascinating lady I found on Youtube (I'm normally very skeptical!) But she's now a lovely new friend.

[link] or [link]

She is a great teacher, you can hear it in the way she speaks, with patience and just enough repetition.
I deeply admire the art of Chinese Brush painting, and have watched only several of her hundreds of videos. Also bought some of the authentic brushes, and "magic paper."

I wanted to compare them to my usual watercolor brushes. It's a great experience, the Chinese brushes really do hold much more water and color. I'm enjoying experimenting with these!!!

She was also kind enough to show me what my name would be in Chinese - and what a great description! I fell in love with it!

So if you're interested at all in learning about Chinese Calligraphy/Brush painting/Silk painting/Chinese cooking - check out her videos!