GREAT LEARNING, GREAT EXPERIENCE, GREAT FUN

After some time, I've been off my blogs although I never failed to visit. Time has run fast and before I know it, loads of things has come along my way. Where did I stop? I was writing about my dissapointment about the place for an MA Fine Arts course offered which was withdrawn later on and yeah, I've got to go with the course that was initially offered to me by the University of Northumbria in Newcastle.

The past few months were all fun and new experiences, without forgetting the never-ending problems coming one after another and so on. New people, different cultures, personalities, annoying attitudes, cheeky fun and great amount of pressures... all in nearly six months.

Everything seemed new to me, being out of academic environment for nearly 5 years? (God.. I never realised I'm this old!) and here I am, feeling like having a brand new life, fresh and promising. I've got good friends who constantly support me and my family who's always willing to catch me everytime I fall (lol). It is indeed a great learning experience, the cultures, the world of researches, strategies.. I'm starting to get tired of these terms but it's making sense to me; and great experience as well, having the good and the bad from every sides... yeah, great and fantastic as it appears but Northumbria University has a dark side too. Find out.

ART & BETRAYAL

When do I know if its over? When do I know if its the dead end? When do I know if its about time to end a dream and wake up to reality? How do I know if its real or still a dream?

I am an artist. In my soul, in my heart and in every bits of myself. Over the years, I carried on and off, went on a different track, succeeded.. hence, I wanted to satisfy my passion back to being an artist.

I always battle with myself and my self-criticising nature that's why most of the time I have my artwork end up in the bin or just simply shelved in forever. Definitely I wanted to be at par with other artists. I wanted to back up my skills with an academic foundation, something to establish my realistic confidence.

Does a University degree strictly make one a real artist? When you came from other field of studies, does it mean you can't become one like artistic intellectual? You can paint, you can create, you are more than able to use your imagination, you can think and conceptualise and futhermore, you are more than able to explore... but when someone says NO... do you need to think of the end???

NEGLECT & REGRET

I'd say goodbye for now, I know it will be long

before we see each other again

I know it will not be the same

as the old days when we were as free as the birds

but no matter what, you will always be my best friend.

I remember the days when we simply spend time

talk about stupid things and laugh like crazy

long time ago when I was fragile

you were there to cheer me up

You spoiled me like a pampered child

you treated me as your brother

you never failed to remember me even if I do

My heart is bleeding and my soul cries

regret is killing me, I wish I didn't neglect you

I know its too late, I am suffering the price

My bestfriend, I am now alone

I wish you are here so I would feel the same happy as I was

They say 'you'll not miss the water until it's gone'

and I do realise that now, I wish I could turn back the time.

My bestfriend, goodbye for now

we will see each other again in a distant future

my heart will never change even if your's do

I will always cherish the moment that we had

I wish I get over this pain of losing you.

THE LEGEND HAPPENED IN CHINA.. TODAY.

The recently held 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony has been remarkable, earning so much respect and amazement over its host country, China. Several media commentators have expressed their salute to this one of the most outstanding events in the history of the Olympiad, and China so far is the only country who exceeded the grandest Olympics hosting ever made.

This time, the once regarded 'The Sleeping Giant' has proved the whole world that it was never asleep and has been making history over thousand of years ago. Very rich culture and tradition, great nature and wonderful people... this country has taken its toll to shine over the whole world.

Despite of the issues and challenges behind, with the protest to free Tibet, the human rights offenses in China and other political issues that threaten to boycott the event, everything went successful and China once again tasted the sweet triumph.

Lets just hope that everything about these problems take within the right place at the right time. Olympics is for the whole world to celebrate unity .. should not be political in any way.

A CHALLENGE TO MY FAITH

I was watching a series of documentary about geological discovery of artifacts linking to Jesus Christ's possible remains as a suspected burial ground was uncovered few years back and believed to be the family of Jesus'... including his. This has caused controversy as it contradicted the Bible's statement having Christ ascended into heaven after resurrection, and furthermore linking to the idea that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus as her ossuary(geologist believed) was found along with Jesus' (based on geologists' initial conclusion).

Following this, I was inspired to create another work that has a religious theme, not directly because I was greatly affected by the show but this has been one of my dream project. I usually dont plan my next artwork, I just carry on with what comes to my mind... so this is the outcome.

Having seen the result, my comissioner was amused and commended me for a very nice painting in-progress. He then suggested and offered to commision to do an art something extremely intriguing and I would say scandalous... to make a painting of Jesus and Mary Magdalene making love. I didnt agree on the idea despite of a big amount of money and opportunity to be recognised. I was once repremanded for painting a Madonna and Child naked.. (the art was shelved and never finished as I was asked to dress it up).... and I would never do the same offence again. Im not a very religious person but I was raised with a solid foundation of faith. I told my comissioner, God gave me the talent... I wouldnt do use it to destroy him no matter what.