THE ART IN MY HEART

29 August 2008. Recently, I saw a documentary on TV which eventually re-generates my interest in painting. I've been telling myself to wait for the right moment ie when I have enough resources, perfect time and 101 reasons to re-initiate my favourite pastime. All these reasons have held me back from doing more paintings. They're like whispers of the demon that I need to face.

The documentary made me realise how much we will lose our pure heart and unique touch when as we grow older. Will we still be able to produce the same drawing as the one we created when we first held a paint brush? The anwser is NO. The value of imagination at every stage of our life is so vulnerable. It is undeniable that taking photographs keep memories of life events eternal but painting is also a good method in keeping our imigination and dreams alive.

Right after the programme, I immediately grabbed my paint and took out a long scroll of practice paper and all the brushes and tools for doing a big painting. At first, I just stood there and asked my children who are still amazed with the big piece of paper to start playing with the colours. They jumped at the sight of this and shouted with excitement as if they have never been happier. They didn't even realise that the time was almost midnight when they decided that their paintings were done. While they had all gone to sleep, I was still wide awake looking at their paintings that were still wet in fascination and amazement.

It's really amazing to see how children imagine and then listen to how they describe their world. Although their paintings are not near any perfect reality I would not advise them on making it perfect. I just encouraged them to do someting that they imagine. The only advice that I gave them was on the colour mixture, "Don't ever mix the colour until it turns into muddy colour...it is a bad colour". Truth to tell, I think I'm the one who's learning to paint from my children. I learnt how to paint from my heart and forget about the perfect realistic detailing that would limit my imigination. Azhan & Nine painting

Azhan Fire Station

It is sometimes hard to draw something from your heart. Producing realist painting had its own difficulties but doing an abstract painting or contemporary painting is not much different than realist paintin. I had to do this warm-up exercise with practice rolled paper. This will help me to practice in order to regain my painting strokes which seem to have lose in time. Soon I hope my boys and I will be doing actual painting on canvas!

My Test Series 1