Owl on the prowl

The painting above was drawn with the intention to print on my business card. A girl with paintbrushes on her hands and the colours flowing out from it. The colours and the birds were inspired by the piece I painted for my sister as her birthday present. I fell in love with the style and tries to imitate it. I think this is a lesson for all artists, that plagiarism or imitation can never replace the authenticity of the original piece. Even if it is the artist herself imitating her own work (yikes!) I tried to follow the motifs of the plants and flowers and the positions of the birds, but it ended up losing the original innocence and spontaneity.


Even though I love the idea of the bird nest on her head, representing the birth of creativity perhaps, I decided not to use this artwork for my artist card because it didn't feel quite genuine. I think the background was rather cluttered (and I realized it probably has alot to do with my cluttered work+ living space and also, metal clutter). It was a tough decision to make in whether to let go or hold on. In the end, I chose authenticity.



I think I am my own harshest critic when it comes to my art. I'm learning to be kinder to myself. I am making it a conscious habit to say thank you and mean it when people tell me I paint well, and hush the inner critic that keeps pushing, "you think so? You can do better". A talent is God's gift to us and I think it is just too unkind to undermine our gifts and talents.


Notice that the girl in the first painting has very owl-like eyes. I have been seeing images of owls everywhere I go and I've read up about the meaning of owl that serve as my animal totem in this moment. According to http://www.animaltotem.com/find-your-totem.html, an Animal Totem is an important symbolic object used by a person to get in touch with specific qualities found within an animal which the person needs, connects with, or feels a deep affinity toward.

I was not painting her eyes with the intention to reflect that of the owl's, but somehow it came out this way. Was quite fascinated by the way her eyes seemed to hypnotize me when I look at her.


These beautiful earrings shout out to me and I've to get them. For me, the owl represents the feminine, the moon, the night.The owl is the bird of magic and darkness, of prophecy and wisdom. It is immensely important to acknowledge this creative aspect as it ties so intimately with my femininity because creating is essentially a feminine quality. I learn to listen to my inner wisdom and trust my own instincts in following this creative journey, am learning to listen quietly to my inner voice and making decisions that are aligned with my heart.

Apart from this, I would love to share with you a wonderful artists whom I am continually amazed at because her creative energy is endless and going strong! She is so dedicated in her art and I just have to ask her how she sustain that passion and devotion! She is Regina, this is my question for her, "Hi Regina, you're so filled with creative energy and you create so often, how do you do that? Please share your secret with us in your blog? I love the passion filled desire in her eyes, and I love that you pose a question on the portrait and let your readers think 4 bit!"

Please read her insights as she share her wisdom in her blog!

I promise you'll heart her and her art!