WAVAW Presentation

Last Wed I gave a presentation to WAVAW, Women Against Violence Against Women. I was chatting with Sarah the program coordinator one day, and I volunteered to give a photography seminar to the staff. She jumped at my suggestion, and said she was secretly wishing it.

So there I was, trying to teach a crash course on improving your images with a small digital camera, talking about learning to see light, composition, characteristics of different focal length...

Sarah commented how she realized why changing the contrast or cropping after the image is taken on the computer would actually not improve the image dramatically. She never thought of lighting, composition and angles before she clicked. She also said it was the most useful seminar she had attended for a while. Thank you Sarah for the huge compliments!

It was very delightful to see how the particpants finally understand all the skills and knowledge behind a successful photograph. Having a "nice camera" is definitely part of it--you need the appropriate tool to do any job! But the training and skills can't be replaced by any top equipment.

Upcoming shows + photo shoot

I went to Seattle and Portland with 2 fellow artists as an artist collective GMW (Gee Gen, Michelle and Winnie.) I am so excited to let my readers know that we've been invited to a group exhibition at Compound Gallery, Portland.

We are also going to have our group exhibition "Humanimal" soon in Seattle and Portland. In addition, a few spaces such as Bluebottle Art Gallery and Kobo are taking our artworks. Check out GMW at http://artistsgmw.blogspot.com/ On the other hand, I have done so many photo shoots lately. Here are a few images from a few different assignments in the past little while. Will post more soon.

workshop + photo shoot

The weather is nice, and spirit is high. It`s supposed to be sunny for the entire week. That`s newsworthy in Vancouver. I just came back from a photography workshop with Robert Provencher, and at midnight, I am still up and working. (Although for those who know me well, that should not be a surprise.) Rob gave us such practical tips that we can use right away. I am so glad I went. On the other hand, I have been having so many photo shoots that I am finding it hard to catch up on my drawings and paintings. Here are some images from a fantastic shoot with Christine and Geetika yesterday at Stanley Park. Beautiful people. Beautiful cherry blossoms.

Recent art activities...

Yesterday, I got a letter in the mail from Canada Art Council. I was so nervous I was completely silent while I opened the letter and read the first page (I was on the phone.)

"We are pleased to inform you that your application to the Art Bank Purchase of Works by Canadian Artists from Culturally Diverse Communities [...] was successful."

Of course, wild screams followed.

Canada Art Bank, under Canada Council for the Arts, is almost like a federal art rental gallery. They purchase works from Canadian artists, and organizations and private individuals can rent any works from their collection. My drawing will be among 18 000 contemporary artworks in the collection. They have the largest contemporary art collection in the world!

If you are curious which drawing was purchased, it is this drawing.


On the other hand, yesterday Bill from Doctor Vigari Gallery told me two of my paintings were sold. Now there are two empty nails waiting for my works. That`s just fantastic. Thank you for my supportors.

I am also working on a commissioned piece for a friend that needs to be completed this weekend. That means endless art-making in the next few days.

My artist sharing + more

As I was trying to move my blog back to my website with the generous help of my website designer friend Gee Gen, I neglected updated the blog.

Last Thursday I had the pleasure of speaking about my works at my exhibition "the Unbearable Cuteness of Being" at the Waterfront Theatre Gallery. I see the series "the Unbearable Cuteness of Being" as an adventure to find the issues that matter, and a style that resonates.

Thank you for friends, clients and colleagues who showed up. It was a huge success. A video of some highlight will be posted soon. Stay tuned.

The exhibition is still up for another month!



On the other hand, I have just become an executive member of PPABC Lower Mainland. Hurrah! Since my involvement with the association, nothing but good things have happened.

I am excited to give more than I have gained in the association, and make new friends.

Andrew and Yvonne

I promised to put the image chosen in the PPABC magazine here. Here is the stunning image of Andrew and Yvonne at the Sunset Beach at sunset!

Here are also images from their wedding at Mayfair Golfcourse, Richmond, in August 2008. I can't believe it has already been 6 months since their wedding.

opening night of "the unbearable cuteness of being"--thank you everyone

A crowded evening.




My fellow photographers Brian and Brent from PPABC. They brought a friend too!

From left to right: Alma, board of director of Western Front and one of the artists from my artist group 10 + 1, myself, Elyse a talended violinist, Anna from Bell Alliance.

My fellow photographers Claire and Sherri from PPABC, coming out all the way from Langley!
Dear Tatiana from the History Department of UBC.
My dear godmother Katherine who was the cashier of the evening. Thanks!
My photographer of the evening Geegen. A big thank you!
My fellow Toastmaster Graham. He has earned DTM, the highest distinction in Toastmasters.


Michelle explains her works very seriously.
Receiving the sweetest kiss from little Caprice.

Monica and Gary from Blueprint for Love Wedding Planning.
Rick, my buddy who used to teach me English at UBC.
From left to right: Sarah from the Spiral Tree, Pascal the Frenchman, Sarah their friend (I hope I got the spelling), Erin from Atlantis Therapies.
Chris from the Film Department, UBC.
Marilou, one of the artists from my artist group 10+1, and my former student at Arts Umbrella Daisy!

As promised, here are some of the great images from the opening night. Instead of boring my readers with 100+ images, I have chosen a handful. If you cannot find yourself here, I am sorry. It only means that I cannot put every single image here.

Again, a gigantic thank you for being there.