For the lucky people who will be gracing California with their presence in the near future,  James Jean, one of my favorite illustrators, has new paintings on view at JANM (Japanese American National Museum) until Jan 24th 2010.

Those who know his body of work, this is not to be missed!  For others who are not familiar… click the link below and enjoy!

“Show Them What You Got Mr. Jean“

I think you’ll like this video:

To the rest of you; I hope you do too.

Click Here to Purchase.

http://theromeoreport.com

© 2009 Wazari Wazir

© 2009 Wazari Wazir

While We Try to Teach Our Children All About Life, Our Children Teach Us What Life is All About | ( Angela Schwindt )

I think we can learn so much from our children, they really enjoy their present, I mean their time that they have in their hand and I think we should also enjoy our present, while we can plan for our future endeavor, we should never forget to really enjoy our times at hand, the future is not in our hand for sure. If you think there is something that can be done in the present just do it, don’t wait and don’t ever procrastinate, I’ve learn that all, I’m a victim of procrastination.

It is very heartwarming feeling watching my son playing with the leaf and with the puddle of water, everything look so interesting to him, every little-little things simply fascinate him, I wish I’ve a picture like that, a picture of me playing happily but I don’t, all I’ve is a blurry vision about my past, I grew up here in Kuala Lumpur in the late 1970, it is still “kampung” or village by today standard then, we don’t have electricity and we spent less time in front of the television, my television back then use a battery car to power it up and yes it is a black and white television and it is boring to watch. Nowadays children spent so much times in front of the idiot box and rarely have extra physical activity outdoors. To cut the story short, enjoy the present and plan for your future but do really enjoy the present first because the future is not in our hand…

]]> http://kathartist.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/3/ Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:32:04 +0000 kathartist http://kathartist.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/3/

Hello world….. I hope to  grow in a new direction! I am tired of waiting and waiting….always putting others before myself.  As a single female empty nester I want to forge ahead.  The next half of my life’s goal is to grow as an artist.  I have sowed the seeds in my hand or magic beans?

I would rather be a late bloomer than a plastic flower (dead).

Totally loving the fully intergrated campaign for ‘Carbon fighters’ really inspiring to see how they have created a visually engaging campaign to stimulate the audience, loving the art direction on this.

Check out the stickers here or visit the website to join!

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Domestic violence is not ended when the victim is safe and out of danger. It's not over until justice was served. Even then, it's not over. It's not over until the victim is safe, justice was served, and the victim is doing well.

Consider the following facts:

Abuse, especially abuse repetitive, leaving an impression of "sustainable" health, welfare and post-abuse functioning of the victim. This impact continues long after the bruises fade, bones mend, and abuseis completed.
Victims of violence to seek treatment more often than non-victims. The severity of victimization is a powerful predictor of health costs generated by these victims.
Most visits to healthcare by victims of domestic violence are not the patients of domestic violence with injury, but medical problems that apparently are not related to current or past injuries.

The health effects of violence may spread throughout the lifespan. Studieshave now shown that adults who were abused in childhood compared to those not over:

Infectious diseases
Mental health
Hypertension
Diabetes
Dermatitis
Asthma
Allergy
Acne
Abnormal menstrual bleeding
More heather-threatening behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, driving while intoxicated, avoiding gynecological examinations, not wearing seat belts, physical inactivity, and high-risk sex.

The abuse ata relationship of intimate partner does not have a physical cause of ill health. Domestic violence and abuse (IPVA) can take many forms: physical abuse, verbal abuse and forced sex. When Dr. Ann Coker and colleagues examined domestic violence in a large series of patients, they found that about 14% of victims of domestic violence have only been victims of psychological, not physical. These victims had higher rates of many medical problemsthan non-abused did not. Among them:

Disability which prevents working
Arthritis
Chronic pain
Migraine and other frequent headaches
Stuttering
Sexually transmitted infections
Chronic pelvic pain
Stomach ulcers;
Frequent indigestion, diarrhea or constipation.

These results raise an interesting question: Victims of emotional abuse are more or less health problems than victims of physical violence? Dr. Coker and his colleagues discoveredthat "psychological IPV was as strongly associated with the most negative health was physical IPV." The joke lost childhood "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is wrong, wrong, wrong. And now we have research to support the idea that it is false. Victims of domestic violence or IPVA will tell you that life after violence is never the same. Some experiments insomnia, headaches and multiple pain, concentration problems, intrusivethoughts, fatigue and irritability. Any of these can interfere with the efficient and open the way to depression and even despair.

Violence and abuse in any form is complex and the effects on health are closely intertwined. No single approach heals everything. Medical aid for victims of domestic violence and survivors exists but is dispersed. Appropriate care is often difficult to find and access, but it can be done. Healthcare providers and survivors must learn towork together to ensure the best possible health for survivors of domestic violence.

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It’s been 2 months since I launched this daily photo blog. I am already feeling proud of some accomplishments I’ve made with the blog. For one, I’ve stuck with it by creating a daily routine for two solid months. I think some genius out there decided that if you practice something for 30days, you’ve set yourself up for a good solid routine. Part of my routine has been to force (I don’t really see it as forcing, but I’m not sure what other word to use) myself to get out and click, click, click every day. I think this routine of carrying my camera with me at all times has taught me to understand that there are in fact several opportunities for 1 great daily photo – no matter how routine or mundane daily life tends to be.

Another is that when I first launched this site I had no idea if anyone would be interested in following my blog. I feel good to be able to say that as of this morning there are 1,666 (yikes, quick… someone “CLICK”) hits on my blog. For the record, my blog does not count the times I view it to see how it appears on the front side. I’ve also discovered that 4 people / bloggers have subscribed to my blog. Wow. 4 people are actually interested in following my daily photo blog! Pretty Cool!

I think the final accomplishment would be that I’m learning to think outside of the box. I’ve been practicing methods of using composition, textures, patterns, light or lighting, and creating an abstract image in my photos. I am also trying to practice not taking typical cliche photos. I do understand that at times these photos are fun and warm the hearts of many, but my intentions for doing digital photography fall more into line with using my artist abilities. Exercising an artistic style is what make my creative juices flow. I think this practice will also help me to stand out a bit more from other photographers.

政治喜劇《東宮西宮》，今回第一次看。在港鐵看此劇仿照《涯上的波兒》的「捱鬧的當奴」廣告，好想笑，難得找到伴便入場。

港人對政治冷感，主要因為無力主控，眼見無論爭取甚麼都不見得有希望了，不如低下頭為生活奔馳，再吃喝玩樂去。怎知，愈為生活奔馳，愈覺得營役壓迫，愈消費，愈感到快樂捉不實，只有再消費去填補。

《東宮西宮之西九龍珠》喚醒觀眾對政治的意識，政策上的無定向，造成我們生活的荒誕細節，這些細節，又的確來自現實，所以我們笑了。

例如上班。每天早上看著中環的靚車從半山駛下，塞住條路，我都狐疑：我這個中環OL，住不到半山，坐不到名車，假日做回新界小姐，是否很怪呢？《香港島皇后》一幕卻呈現政府各部門總部、商業辦公室都集中在中環、金鐘和灣仔一帶，上班的大部分「庶民」，卻住在九龍和新界，為港鐵站上蓋物業捱生捱死。

例如消閒。有時，遇著上一場節目和下一場節目之間的空檔，我都很想找個安靜的地方坐下來讀書和看看良晨美景，但環顧四周，可以坐的地方只有三十四蚊一位的Starbucks，然後是Juicy Couture、Lane Crawford和Zara的燈光不斷向你招手。《千個商場》和《地產大封相》兩幕，以唱K形式揭示政府和地產商如何夾手夾腳將港鐵站、高價住宅和商場套餐在每區複製，每一區的原有特色被一一拆掉。

例如搭巴士。總不明白街上的龍友追巴士影有乜好影？返工放工的養神時刻，卻要被Roadshow的核突去腳皮廣告滋擾。《一架單車》一幕，說明政府如何縱容巴士，巴士即使無人搭也可以靠車內車外車站廣告維生，環保政策又只管的士和小巴。

最爆是《西九宮心計》，黎達達榮的動畫將當奴和唐唐融入《宮心計》角色中，讓我們放大雙眼細看西九諮詢文件的怪雞問題，不禁想，這個我們有份出錢的二百六十億工程，點解咁怪誕，我們為何又這麼漠視？

對政治嘻笑怒罵，是一門高深的表演藝術。剩識扮o靚模和官員，只得個笑；剩識掟蕉叫特首去死，只得個鬧，背後沒有知性的論點支持，觀眾如我是笑不出來，看不下去的。終於不用只看Sacha Baron Cohen，在本土欣賞到政治喜劇人才的作品，很樂。

可能attention span較短關係，故不沉迷追劇，假日最「宅」活動是youtubing，向全世界的舞孃偷師。昨日在IFC看到《華麗后台》(Nine)的片頭，名副其實O著嘴，伸長頸去渴這條片，完全不顧中環lady的身世。

椅子舞、繩子舞、羽扇舞（當然不是國慶表演那種）、鋼管舞（還要由西裝骨骨的男士來跳呢）、束衣、襪帶、長襪、喱士、閃珠片．．．．．．都係我啲Fd。

只是不明白，為何瑪莉安歌迪娜演的老婆，一定是端莊小黑裙，彭尼露古絲演的情婦，又必定是艷紅皮草套裝。當然，cliche點才能表達出男人內心交戰的張力。最讚是飾演母親的蘇菲亞羅蘭，開胸透視裙上那條黑絲小領巾，成功遮頸紋之餘，香艷功架十足。

個個女人我都想代入，除了妮歌潔曼，實在不忍看她的botox蠟像臉，她亦被安排演最無發揮的角色：女演員。

導演Rob Marshall上回佳作是《芝加哥》，電影版與舞台版平分秋色，但《Cell Block Tango》一幕，一定是電影贏，這段片看過接近百次，是我跳舞智囊團的一員。

想從這段片學的，是如何唔使隆胸抽脂去斑減紋，大條道理做一個真女人，將殺得死人的女性能量放出來。這，才是我認同的媒體女性形象，versatile, powerful yet feminine。

對於坊間將毫不glamourous、戴到一半的cap帽當做性感道具，或一堆小妺舞姿生硬為每集遊戲節目揭幕，真的很莫名奇妙。

I went to the Shoe Fair, benefitting Toys for Tots, right before Thanksgiving, hoping to score some pretties for my feet.

I found quite a few beautiful shoes, but none were as unique and sculptural as those made by 2408 Alekseev. With their gracefully intertwining vines and flowers, the precarious sole and serpentine heel, these shoes are a piece of wearable art.

I have to say, I had a few problems fitting them (though they come with resize scripts and an amazing range of skin tones to match to), so I contacted the creator, 24, as she likes to be called, via notecard. She responded quickly and helpfully (and cheerfully and humorously). Turns out I have very small and delicate ankles, so she had to shrink the shoes down considerably. Go figure.

She IS featuring two pairs for one at the Shoe Fair, benefitting Toys for Tots, so you may want to purchase those so you can check out her work.

When the outfit is all about the shoes, you can’t wear something long or they will be hidden, so I chose this flirty party dress from Kuranosuke Kamachi. Going to DeLa is a hit or miss for me sometimes–Kuranosuke uses sculpties in risk-taking ways that sometimes don’t pan out. But for this dress, the work is impeccable. The skirt is a marvelous fluff of stiff satin.

I styled with simple but elegant jewelry from Tiffy Vella. When an outfit has one point of interest, there is no reason to over do it. The jewelry balances the outfit with a touch of elegance without excessiveness. And Tiffy’s work is always beautiful and exact.

Walking in glass slippers…

Hair: [V] Vignette Sophia Charcoal by Rachel Boram for Vignette

Skin: *YS & YS* Zara 02 Smoke Black EB HairBase by Monicuzza Babenco for YS & YS *

Dress: =DeLa*= Dress “Leona” Black by Kuranosuke Kamachi for =DeLa*=

Necklace and Earrings: Eclectica Deco Pearl Strands Choker and Earrings by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica

Shoes: 24 wow 18 gold by 2408 Alekseev for 24 Shoo-Shoes and Haute Couture

Last Wednesday we photographed Angie and Jake for her Bridal session.  Its becoming more and more common for the grooms to be a part of the bridal session.  We started at our Orem studio for some very elegant bridal shots.  In addition, we did some high fashion shots, and some “sassy” ones as well!  After, we went up American Fork canyon for some snow shots along the river.  Finally we went to the ampitheater at the American Fork training school.  It was funny to watch all the other “amature” photographers finishing their photo shoots just as the light really got good.  But it worked out because we had the whole place to ourselves!  What a fun shoot!

Someone near and dear to me has repeatedly said “you are so brave for posting your sketches.”

I’m sure she doesn’t mean to say “wow, those sketches are crap and I sure as hell wouldn’t be sharing them”… or maybe she does.

The point is that I feel safe posting them…. well one that I will be posting tonight makes me a bit nervous, but probably not for the reason you might guess.

There are other things that I could write about, or post about. This week for instance, I went to the Alberta School Board Association Fall General Meeting. Actually, why don’t a write a *little* bit about this experience before getting to the Thursday Night Drawing Bit.

Part of what I was thinking about as I was drafting this blog post is that i’d love to be able to share all the funny little things that happen in a lot of different areas of my life, but some, particularly this School Trustee thing, are intimidating to me because I feel such immense pressure to get everything right. To do a good job. To live up to the expectations that I put on myself, and that other people put on me.

So while you can chuckle at the notes I was directed to take by guest keynote speaker Ian Hill, the hope that I keep confidence is what keeps me from blogging as deeply as I would like to about this political experience. The desire for voters to feel confident in me was a barrier to the blogging that I had intended to do during the campaign. However I felt suddenly that if I did share doubts and concerns through my blog, that people might not vote for me.

When I sketch I feel safe.

I know that I’m not a great artist, and it doesn’t really matter to me. Although I think that I’ve said that before in this blog, and if I keep repeating it I may be “protesting too much.” The point being that I’m not “brave” in posting them because the expectation of myself to produce a “perfect” piece, a “perfect” sketch died a long time ago.

I had worked on a large canvas painting a series of coffee cups with wings, and I painted and painted, but no matter how much I tried I couldn’t get the image out of my head and on the canvass in the way that I wanted to. I was striving for perfection and falling painfully short. So short in fact, that after spending months on the painting I got frustrated and tearfully threw in the garbage.

After a good long cry, I came to the conclusion that the way I wanted it to look was better suited to photography than painting, and if I was going to stay so stuck on perfectionism, that I may as well take up photography, which I didn’t do.

A long time Later, after starting to attend the Thursday Night Drawing Group we had a visiting artist named Rolph Crone who held a workshop on bamboo ink sketching and painting with Charcoal powder. Through the workshop he kept reminding us to stand *WAY* back from our pieces. holding the bamboo sticks by their ends and loosely sketching. This way of sketching forced me to give up on perfection all together (although I did find myself creeping towards the paper until I was gripping the bamboo inches away from the tip and my nose intently close behind.)

Through these experiences I just learned to appreciate the act of trying capturing the image before me. I love the challenge of seeing the way a shoulder-blade juts and trying to capture that in a sketch. I love the way that muscles form the craziest continual lines and blocks underneath the cover of skin. I’m loving the process of learning to foreshorten.

And I suppose that because I identify as a recreational student of drawing I don’t pressure myself. I give myself the space to be imperfect, and to enjoy sharing my imperfections.

Our warm up for drawing is 10 one minute sketches. Believe me, there is no perfection to be attained in a minute. It does help you to loosen up and focus on prioritizing lines though!

we move on to five minute sketches which still don’t allow for a lot of time to catch the fine details and shadows.

And after a long time of 5 minute and 15 minute sketches… We can comfortable rest in the half hour sketch.

The drawings above were done over the past couple of drawing groups, and the image below is of my favorite from these sessions:

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