Happy Holidays!

 

 

Happy Holidays fellow humans, leopards, and elephants! You're all invited to this Ugly Sweater Party. Try not to be too much of an onlooker, and dance on. After all, that's why we're here.

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom, 

May you embrace all that is beloved in the clearing of your heart...

Stillness

This drawing was inspired by a walk through the SF Botanical Gardens. I found myself sitting on a bench staring into the reflection of a beautiful Japanese themed lily pond. The clouds and sun in all its resplendent glory looking back upon me in the still of all things, only water striders causing a ripple here and there.

Oddly enough, this image actually came to me earlier in the day while watching telly. It took this trip to the park to confirm that I had to record the feeling. Sometimes, time waits for noone.

I found this Rumi poem went nicely with it:

This moment
This love
Comes to rest in me
Many beings
In one being.
In one Wheat-grain

A thousand sheaf stacks.

Inside
The needle's eye,
A turning night of stars.

Cradle the Sun - A Picture Book

I have been working diligently on a picture book for the past half year. It's been a truly experiential journey in all the ways a creative endeavour can be. I've been through various ups and downs of whether or not to make it purely visual, caring critiques via peers of what works and what doesn't, and slowly but surely falling in love with the characters that I've created. The latter has been the most fruitful part of the ride, as it's taught me a lot about tuning into myself, which has only helped to give a voice and intimacy to a story that started out as a challenge and became more and more personal over time.

The story in short:
A young boy and girl, each on opposite sides of the world, suffer a tremendous loss. Through ancient songs and the aid of animal spirits, they find a way to meet at the edge of the world to forge a new beginning.

In many ways, I feel that this story found me more than I found it. The subject matter is definitely not the conventional fodder of an already rich children's lit field. I am actively resisting a genre or categorization for it. My only hope is that it resonates with readers and they remember it when they have the opportunity to help a stranger or loved one.

As this is my current passion project, I will try my very best to keep you updated with progress, insights into my process, and teases of the work itself (above for instance, a side by side shot of a storyboard and finished page). Thank you as always.

Yours truly got interviewed!

Recently, a very cool blog on all things Asian pop culture, contacted me about a possible interview. Once I said yes, I was treated to some wonderful and in depth questions about my career and process. I tried to make it as interesting as possible for a reader. I hope you agree!

Japan Cinema Creative Spotlight Episode #176 - Kevin Ang

New Paths...

So what kind of official art shenanigans have I been up to in the last few months you may ask?

This time last year, I embarked on a new path in unveiling my personal work in a more public venue. I had the chance to do both a solo show and a group show. One of the nuggets I gleaned from the experience was seeing just how my work connects with people. What was even more interesting is how over and over again, people would remark that they see stories in the pictures. A few months later, I found myself in a bookstore inquiring after an art book. They didn't have it in stock, but what they did have was a schedule for upcoming conventions at the store, one of which was a Children's Writers & Illustrators Convention. If only lightbulbs actually appeared above people's heads ...

I've always wanted to do children's books. Up until the last few months, it's been a voice in the back of the theater that's quietly but stealthily climbed forward row by row, until its gentle, but resonant tone could not be denied. I've found out that this audience member is in fact a storyteller, speaking in an ancient tongue, one that I have no choice but to take the torch from. What's taken shape is finding my voice in a writing group, going to conferences big and small, finding new peers in picture book clubs, and generally finding out how rich and fulfilling story is in our lives.

So here's to new adventures...

RIP Lonesome George

Oh my oh my, I've been MIA for almost the length of a full term pregnancy. Mind you, enough has happened in the past year that one can argue that I am bringing some new life into the world creatively speaking. More on that goodness later!

In the meantime, this posting is dedicated to the memory of Lonesome George, the last tortoise of his kind, who passed away from heart failure yesterday in the Galapagos.

I am getting back into scratchboard illustration, and this seemed like the perfect subject to do so.

Fear Refined: Cthulhu Seahorse

During a late night scribbling session, this lil Sea Monkey eked out of my subconscious out on to the tableau. It seemed most apropo as this is the month for all things spook-tacular.

We all deal with fear in our life. Sometimes we grapple with it in the dead of night and we have various amounts of success with succumbing or overcoming it. In the coming month, I hope to address some common fears we all experience. Who knows, maybe I'll be able to make friends with some of my own in the process.

Lil Monk

This is what happens when I look at one too many Steve McCurry portraits...

Bingko's got a brand new bag

Whew! So there's a couple new things that have been in development or are already out in the world.

I have an art show currently hanging at a new micro gallery called The Velcro Gallery in SOMA. It's my very first show (and theirs as well) and I feel truly and deeply blessed to have the opportunity to be doing so in such a fun space. As the name implies, everything is hung with velcro as it's a sound studio by day. Here's more info on the show:
http://www.velcrogallery.com/galleries/

This opportunity lit such a fire under my proverbial bottom, that I decided to start a new website and self publish a book in order to keep that momentum going. You can find my new website here:

As for the book, here's a preview of it as well as a portal to the shop:

A walk in the forest...

Mr. Weaver I presume...

This is my first little experiment with ArtStudio via the iPod Touch. It's actually super robust, not to mention I love the smudge tool. This is inspired by almost bumping into a cocoon undergoing construction not so long ago. It's amazing what you can witness when you just slow down.

Happy Valentine's Day

For all you lovebirds...

One of these is not like the other...

I came across an especially nap loving sea elephant this past weekend, and was immediately struck by what a perfectly bottle shaped bundle of lard she was. I was also struck by how much I wanted to snuggle right alongside her.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays! from Kevin Ang on Vimeo.

From mum and I to you all this year...
Be well, be joyous, be kind to yourself and others :)

Illuminara

I attended a Winter Solstice celebration in Muir Woods yesterday. The paths were all lit with illuminara, the canopy echoing with christmas carols, and folk stories were being told around fire pits. At a certain point, the lights ended and I ventured further into the forest where my only guides were my trusty flashlight and intuition. After awhile, I turned off the the flashlight altogether, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness, and for a brief while, experienced what it's like to truly commune with nature. And the best thing that came out of it was that even though I was far afield from the crowd, the sounds of civilization, et al, I never truly felt alone in all that darkness. In fact, I don't believe there really is such a thing. Our bodies trick us, but the spirit knows better.

"True" Grit is a True Classic

I just saw the latest Coen Bros opus yesterday evening, and I can honestly say it's one of the best westerns I've ever seen. Go do yourself a favor this holiday and enjoy the beautiful Christmas gift that is "True Grit".

The Dude abides again...

Happy Thanksgiving from Hipster Central

Having Thanksgiving lunch with some workmates the other day, my eyes chanced upon a crew of hipsters milling about with martini glasses in hand, ironic mustaches and all. I could not help but wonder:

Do hipsters know they're hipsters?

La Familia Calacas

I'm about a week late here with my dedication, but I guess inspiration strikes at will! I've always thought the Day of the Dead was such a healthy and open way to remember those who have passed. The end doesn't have to be all doom and gloom.

So I present you Senora Florita and Senor Skullito in all their glory :)

Tron Night

Greetings programs!

As a child of the 80's, Tron was one of those seminal films that really inspired me to draw to my heart's content. Few films ignited my imagination quite like that film. It hasn't aged as well as the heart and mind remembers it, but Jeff Bridges is a national and timeless treasure as far as I'm concerned.

On the eve of Tron Night (which should be showing in your local IMAX theatre), here's hoping that lighting strikes twice and that the new film does the same for some bright eyed kid in the audience. In 3D!