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Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Artist Card...

My Artist Card

I have been bit hesitant to say "I am an Artist". But, with all the paintings I have created so far with thousands of hours of sincere efforts put in doing & practicing, I think, I have reached the stage to start marketing my Paintings with no hesitation whatsoever.

When people ask me- do you have a web-site, are you on Facebook, are you on Instagram...I used to say- yes, I can write it down for you. Now, I can simply hand them my card instead. How sweet is that! A printed painting of mine along with my details on it gets into the hands of people who would like to get in touch with me or look at all my works. When they look at the card later, they read my name and can recollect some of my Paintings they had seen in person. Their memory stays un-erased, little longer.

I have a couple of Art shows coming up in March. I will see who gets the first card from my hands ;)

Thanks to Vistaprint customer support person who worked with me on this design. They have such a nice set of people to assist their customers, and their prices are very affordable.

"Quality is the best business plan." – John Lasseter

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Dancing Saree...

Dancing Saree
Oil on Stretched Canvas 2 Feet x 3 Feet (24" x 36"; 60 cm x 91.5 cm)
 

When you stop doing, you stop learning. So, don't stop. Keep going, going....and going...

There is an abandoned Painting underneath this painting. I Gessoed and started this over that.

This is my 11th finished Oil Painting and 2nd this year. I decided to change my signature from now on by joining brush and my name. Don't know why I did, I guess it only looks more professional now ;)

"I am still learning." - Michelangelo

Happy Painting!

Details
Title: Dancing Saree
Mediums: Oil on Stretched Canvas
Reference: A photograph from my collection
Size: 2 Feet x 3 Feet (24" x 36")
Surface: Artist's Loft Stretched Canvas board, Gesso'd to cover an abandoned sketch

Saturday, February 9, 2019

NEVER GROW UP - the book I couldn't put down...

I travelled into Jackie's life  

One of my new-year-resolutions this year, 2019 is- "to read as many books as I can". I have already finished reading 4 books.

This book of Jackie Chan's life made me travel with him through his life from his childhood in the streets of French consulate in Hong Kong where his parents used to work as Chef and Maid, into 'the decade of darkness' (that's his name for that chapter) at rigorous, disciplined School of China Drama Academy (CDA), onto the sets as stuntman, to his venture into movies of Hong Kong, Hollywood, and back to Hong Kong, his family, his first time experiences, his parents, his transformations in life all the way from an ordinary kid into a very rich millionaire who had more dollars than sense, and into an extraordinary human being who is doing amazing things to preserve the heritage of his country and people...

Written in the most simplest words of English language with the flow of a gentle breeze makes this book such an honest presentation of his life. Reading this book and knowing the complete life of a Legendary Star of our time in his honest words is an unforgettable journey of experience.

His focus, dedication, determination, learnings & experiences in life are simply amazing. I truly travelled into his life with this Kung Fu Master of our time. Now, with due respects, I need to watch all his real stunts and risks he took in his movies to entertain his fans all over the world, that resulted in several injuries.

Some good words to cherish from this book:

Never Grow Up - Jackie Chan (Translated by Jeremy Tiang)
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Hollywood filmmakers not only learn from China, they tell Chinese stories too. When someone is better than us at something, we ought to admit it.

First time when I met Steven Spielberg, I asked him about the special effects for E.T. “How did you make it look so real, people and dinosaurs side by side?” He said, “Oh, that’s simple, I just keep pushing buttons- button, button, button. What about your films? How did you do all those dangerous stunts, jumping off rooftops and over cliffs”? I said, “Oh, that’s even simpler. It’s just rolling, action, jump, cut, hospital!”

When you have experience and standards, and show respect for people and property, you are respected in return.

To make good impression, all you have to do is talk to people, look them in the eye, and show them respect and love. I give newcomers a chance and take care of them so that they have every opportunity to shine. All those good practices and intentions come back to you.

Why wait for special day to remember the people important to us? If someone means a lot to you, then every day is Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or Mother’s Day.

About his son Jaycee (JC a name coined from initials of Jackie Chan by Jackie Chan) when he was having all lights left on in the bathroom and closets and said it makes him feel more alive: “You’re only saying that because I’m the one who pays the bills. Don’t waste energy.”

Some people are forever chasing luxury products, but there is no end to this, and they will never be satisfied. If we already have more than enough, we shouldn’t ask for more.

Any artistic endeavor has a way of forcing you to explore new sides of yourself, which can be annoying in the moment but is worthwhile in the end.

My grandfather said, “I hope one day you understand that life isn’t only about work, but there are more important things to care about. And if you neglect them, you might find one day that you’ve left it too late.

You have to be good to your elders while they’re still alive. Don’t wait until it is too late and then do the rituals, like burning paper money, for them.

My parent’s story is ordinary and extraordinary. I am very lucky to have been their child, and I know they were proud of me, too.

“Whatever you do, heaven is watching.” I make sure that in everything I do, I’m not letting down my country or my people. I can only do what I think is right. As long as I haven’t gone against my conscience, then I’m happy, and that’s how it’s been for many years.

Some say that connections between people are just a matter of fate, and I am grateful that I’ve connected with so many fans in this lifetime. I dedicate these words to all my lovable, crazy fans.

The world isn’t that big, but it’s not that small either, and connections between two human beings are always a little mystical.

Whenever I hesitated, I recalled my stunt team’s motto: “We don’t ask why, we just do or die.”

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“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” - Mark Twain

Happy Reading & Healthy Living!!