YILAN
IMPRESSIONS
September 10 - November 27th, 2023Lantern Space Yilan City, Yilan, TaiwanThis photo was taken in the wee hours of my opening. As you can see, dancing on chairs is just my form of expression for how happy I was. But all kidding aside, I was so honored and humbled to have a solo show of 50 works about Yilan, Taiwan. I had approximately 6 months to develop all new works! I mainly wanted to focus on developing abstract works capturing the patterns of a place and how they manifest in architecture, landscape, people, fashion. Due to the broad range of topics, this show is grouped into 8 mini series:
4 SEASONS OF YILAN
Paintings celebrating the constant changing landscape of Yilan, Taiwan
*SOLD* LANYANG WINTER 50 x 40cm 蘭陽平原 Lanyang Plains 亞克力 木板 Acrylic on wood panel Winter is a blank canvas. The rice fields are flooded with water and creates infinite mirrors reflecting the grey sky. The horizon is punctuated with 3 story modern homes resembling cruise ships that docked for the season. The water is like glass and pure stillness. But beneath that stillness, the soil is resting and replenishing its nutrients for the next season. I hate winter months, especially in the cold northeast of the United States. It's so cold, dreary and boring! But I have a new appreciation for winter as a time to be quiet, to reflect, be mindful and still. To heal and nurture MY soil, ..my soul.
*SOLD* LANYANG SPRING 50 x 40cm 蘭陽平原 Lanyang Plains 亞克力 木板 Acrylic on wood panel Spring plantings!. The sky starts to be more hopeful with its sunshine and cloudy blue skies. The soil has been turned over and the white birds come to feast. The new plantings are methodically placed in a grid. The roots dig into the muddy earth, their little sprigs dancing in the wind with excitement of a new season. If they were an instrument, I could imagine them as a triangle symphony or sweet, timid tamborine rattle.
*SOLD* LANYANG SUMMER 50 x 40cm 蘭陽平原 Lanyang Plains 亞克力 木板 Acrylic on wood panel They grow quickly with the Yilan sun, heat and rain. The sprigs have grown into a tall heatlhy thick handful. Long, green leaves, sturdy but still spritely. The spacing has grown into a thick luscious green carpet. The sounds is reedy and light, like the seagrass of my home state, but a lot more dry. The leaves are perky and stand upright with assertion and dance stiffly in the wind
*SOLD* LANYANG HARVEST 50 x 40cm 蘭陽平原 Lanyang Plains 亞克力 木板 Acrylic on wood panel The green leaves start spouting their rice stalks. Their heavy fruit gracefully force the reeds to bow down to the earth. Silouetted against the setting sun, the pattern of loops and spikes, shimmer in the golden hour light. The east wind washes over the field creating undulating waves, like a slow jazzy dance; Like watching a ripple unfold in a silk sheet in the wind. Now more mature, the golden reeds sound in the wind has more base, and is a soft rattle and swoosh, like a lullaby
PATTERNED WOMEN
Traveling and taking in the environment. Patterns of a place become part of the figure’s dress or hair. Represents the idea of traveling and experiencing a new place and creating a memory.
*SOLD* "HER OCEAN CHANTS WITH BREATHE" 35.56 X 27.94 cm 蘇澳 豆腐岬 Suao Tofu Cape 水粉 , 亞克力 , 金箔葉 Gouache, acrylic ink, gold leaf on paper ; I was awe-struck by the Suao and Nanfanou beaches, with their unbelievable blue oceans and soaring black cliffs. I loved how the shape of the tetrahedron concrete blocks resembled the surrounding rock formations. They looked like a giant's toy blocks stacked up against the seawall. I reimagined these shapes into the hair and crown of a protecting sea goddess.
*SOLD* "GOLDEN THREADS" 35.56 X 27.94 cm 北關海潮公園 , 一線天 Beiguan Tidal Park; Eye Of The Needle 水粉 , 亞克力 , 金箔葉 Gouache, acrylic ink, gold leaf on paper The rock patterns in Touchen are magical, like a pillowy stone chessboard. The pattern of the rock crevices were accenturated with gold foil, creating 'threads' that lead to the Eye of the Needle. The trees twist and turn like smoke in a jazz club, and beckons you further into the park, to a enchanted higher ground.
*SOLD* "BANYANS AND BIRDS " 2023 31 x 23 cm 東港榕樹公園 Donggang Banyan Tree Park 水粉 , 亞克力 , 金箔葉 Gouache, acrylic ink, gold leaf on paper Exploring the coastal areas of Yilan is theraputeic. This wetland area protects birds and other wildlife, and I loved patterns created byt the thick tunnel of Banyan trees with hammocks, the shapes of the clusters of plants dotting the coastline, looking out towards the bridge.
"BATHING MOONLIGHT" 31 x 23 cm 礁溪湯圍溝 Jiaoxi, Tangweigou 水粉 , 亞克力 , 金箔葉 Gouache, acrylic ink, gold leaf on paper Hot springs and public bathing are not common in the USA, so my first experience at a public hotsprings was so enchanting! I felt like I was walking into a Roman bath painting with multiple Venus Goddesses lounging, bathing and creating bonding friendships. We all basked in the moonlight, with the slatted wood screens casting shadows across the steaming pools. Lush greenery and plants engulfed us, creating a serene and comforting experience. I looked up to the nights sky with gratitude for how lucky I am to have this experience.
"JINGMEI FASHION RUNWAY" 31 x 23 cm 津梅棧道, 宜蘭市 Jingmei Suspension Bridge Trail, Yilan City 水粉 , 亞克力 , 金箔葉 Gouache, acrylic ink, gold leaf on paper My architect's eye devoured the design details of the Jingwei bridge. I loved the sliding of planes and forms of the planters, drainage systems, supports and its connection to the main building and catwalk. The vertical metal flagpole- like supports reminded me of bamboo scaffolding. The structure danced across the bridge and dipped below to create a small viewing platform and other pedestrian spaces. The tops of the vertical pipes have beautiful delicated metal leaf details , which I turned into the pattern of the dress, flowing in the wind
"TEA GODDESS" 31 x 23 cm 武荖坑 Wulaokeng 水粉 , 亞克力 , 金箔葉 Gouache, acrylic ink, gold leaf on paper n general, Yilan is a rural area and known for farming, agriculture and producing tea, and this work honors their fashion. While I would imagine their clothes are driven by function, with their layering and a large hats to protect from many hours of sun exposure, I love seeing all the different colors, patterns and textures being layered on top of each other.
ABSTRACT LANDSCAPES
Exploring abstraction of landscapes..
a simplifying of visuals to distill down and capture the essence of a place.
I am most inspired by the vastness and everchanging color palettes of the Yilan sky, moutains and rice fields. The mood of the mountains and skies range from etheral and dreamy to dark and brooding, to joyful and hopeful. Depending on the season or the sunshine, the landscape color palette dances between bright greens of the new rice sprouts to the neon green velvety carpet it grows into. The layering of the purple/ blue mountains is a dynamic contrast to the landscapes lush tones of green. Abstract houses and temples float within these spaces as if in a surreal dream representing serenity and joy.
*SOLD* "And Then I Finally Said Goodbye" 29.7 x 21cm 宜蘭市 Yilan City 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper My first impression of the Yilan mountains left me astounded at the height and lushness of it all. The horizon line between the clouds and moutains blur into each other and the lushness of the greenery beckon for me to fly away and take a nap in the haziness of it all. The layers of mountains recede away into the ether, and felt like saying goodbye to a love that was never meant to be mine.
Wandering Soul 29.7 x 21cm 宜蘭市 Yilan City 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper
After the Rain 29.7 x 21cm 冬山 Donghshan 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper
*SOLD* "Breathe" 29.7 x 21cm 宜蘭市 Yilan City 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper
MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT STILLNESS 29.7 X 21cm Zhuangwei Township 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper
Midsummer's Peaceful Neon 蘇澳鎮頂寮里國聖廟，主祀鄭成功 Guo Sheng Temple Gate 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper
MIDSUMMER'S NIGHT GLIMMER 29.7 x 21cm Dongshan, Zhenzhu Village 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper
TRADITION 29.7 x 21cm 宜蘭市 Yilan City 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper Temples and traditional opera singers are so beautiful! I am most inspired by the colors and textures of the temples nestled in the mountains; Bright reds and golds against luscious greeen lanscapes and carved stone.
ABSTRACT TEMPLE 29.7 x 21cm 宜蘭市 Yilan City 粉彩 水粉 Soft Pastel and Gouache on Paper Temples and traditional opera singers are so beautiful! I am most inspired by the colors and textures of the temples nestled in the mountains; Bright reds and golds against luscious greeen lanscapes and carved stone.
MARKETS
An invigorating experience that captures all senses in both body and mind.
These are the only monochromatic pieces in the show because I thought that color would had detracted from the purity of the line.
I wanted to express and capture the energy, rhythmn, and organized chaos of a market. By limiting my tools to ink and a bamboo fountain pen, it allowed me to explore caprturing a feeling of space, energy and rhythmn.
*SOLD* "Day Market Adventures - 1" 43 x 35 cm 羅東 Loudong 水墨 Ink on Paper On one of my day market adventures, I stopped to get lunch at a vegetarian soup place. Not knowing any Chinese, I rely on Google tanslate and pictures. However, it only gets me so far and I have to leave the rest up to chance and an open mind. I ordered stinky tofu by accident! Haha. It's like whiskey; Painful with the first couple of tastes like a punch in the throat, but then you get used to it. This work was the view from the restaurant and the surrounding area. I loved the hanging lights and mismatched stacked supplies in the background of the fish store. Organized chaos is what gives a city its soul. It's like a lived in home, with lots of character.
*SOLD* "Day Market Adventures - 2" 43 x 35 cm 羅東 Loudong 水墨 Ink on Paper Day market shopping is not for the faint of heart and can be quite intimidating. Scooters, carts and people launching from all different directions, exotic smells of food and the sounds of scooters whizzing by, shirtless tattoed guys selling fruit, imagining they are yelling at me to buy boxes pineapple and dragonfruit. Vendors hide from the sun in oversized hats and layered garmets while pushing carts, carrying baskets and bushels, prepping produce, and surrounded by the vistual textures like wall tiles, glowing red light through traditional windows framed in ornate ironwork
*SOLD* "Night Market - 2023" 43 x 35 cm 羅東 Loudong 水墨 Ink on Paper The night market is a whole other experience. While still overhwhelming and exciting, with massive amount of people, lights, smells, food stands, and games, the black of the night creates a different experience. Colorful temples act as a backdrop for games and vendor stands. Vendors are intensely creating masterpieces while patrons patiently wait in long lines to taste delicious snacks. The energy in the air is palpable and invigorating
*SOLD* "Dasi Reflections - 2023" 43 x 35 cm 大溪漁港 Dasi Port 水墨 Ink on Paper I grew up near the ocean and perhaps that's why I love visiting ports in other countries. I am inspired by the shapes, colors and lines of old ships and the masts that pierce and bob against the skyline. I love seeing how the patterns of life and use create an organic color and pattern on the ships, like the rusty bolts and drainage holes, bundles of fishing nets that look like sculptures, and weathered wood with chipping paint. These are like wrinkles on a face that has lived an exciting, fulfilling life.
ABSTRACT
PATTERNS AND DETAILS
Patterns of a place are like a thumbprint of a memory. I see patterns in micro and macro worlds. From Colorful fish at a fishing port, to landscapes, nightmarkets, structures.
ABSTRACT STRUCTURES
Traveling and taking in the environment. Patterns of a place become part of the figure’s dress or hair. Represents the idea of traveling and experiencing a new place and creating a memory.
TRAVELER’S DREAMS
Traveling and taking in the environment. Patterns of a place become part of the figure’s dress or hair. Represents the idea of traveling and experiencing a new place and creating a memory.
*SOLD* "TRAVELER'S DREAMS 1 - RIVERS" 41 x 31 cm Lanyang River Mouth, Wujie 粉彩, 水墨 , 水粉 Soft Pastel, Ink and Gouache on Paper; I wanted to explore an abstract aeriel view of the varied Yilan landscape; From the towering luscious mountains, to the rivers that connect to the Lanyang river mouth and the bridges that dance and connect the land masses.
TRAVELER'S DREAMS 2 - TRADITION 41 x 31 cm 宜蘭酒廠 陳定南紀念園區 Yilan Distillery and Chen Dingnan Memorial Park 粉彩, 水墨 , 水粉 Soft Pastel, Ink and Gouache on Paper This work is about tradition and about honoring the past of Yilan. Combining different travel experiences helps create a stronger narrative in order to remember a place and feeling. I loved the contrast of the seafoam green wall against the hundreds of stacked patinaed wine urns at the Yilan Distillery. We also visited the Chen ding Nan Memorial Park and I was blown away by his life and the thoughtful design execution of the exhibitions. It was only until I left the museum that I saw the triangluar stacked rock formations looking onto the rice fields. It reminded me of a smaller verision of the Yilan mountains
*SOLD* TRAVELER'S DREAMS 3 - WELCOME 41 x 31 cm Sansing Township 粉彩, 水墨 , 水粉 Soft Pastel, Ink and Gouache on Paper Traveling long term is like a dream... places and experiences start to blur together. While the details may be foggy, a feeling of a ‘place’ leaves a thumbprint on the soul. The inspiration for this work explores disparate travel experiences, like a bike ride through temple gates and admiring the swirly forms of soaking woodroot at the market. The faded red gate against the bright blue sky, floating telephone poles and wires hover above the clouds, creates a dreamlike world. The lines of the temple morph into forms of soaking woodroot at the market... but they could also be clouds. What do you see?
TRAVELER'S DREAMS 4 - DAY MARKET HAZE 41 x 31 cm 傳統市場 羅東 & 宜蘭 Traditional markets in Yilan and Luodong 粉彩, 水墨 , 水粉 Soft Pastel, Ink and Gouache on Paper So much to experience in the patterns and colors of a day market! Vendors hide from the sun in oversized hats and layered garmets while pushing carts, carrying baskets and bushels, prepping produce, and surrounded by visual textures like wall tiles, traditional windows glowing red are framed in ornate ironwork. The patterns of shirts, fruits, walltile and ironwork are explored and overlay each other, leaving a visual thumbprint of an experience.