4: STRENGTH

Last week's Illustration Friday's challenge is to illustrate on the word: STRENGTH

Here is my submission as I perceive,experience and savour "Strength". To restrict and confine the essence of "strength" to cliché superlatives of traits would be negligent. To cry, to give up, to say sorry, to forgive, to forget, to lead, to persevere, to accept, to go, to stay... amongst an infinite diverse set of necessity of actions, at times, requires more strength than to obey and to endure. The hardest and most important strength in my book of happiness is to be "true to yourself".

Why do I impose those words on 3 red chillies? 3 chillies are often used as symbols of the highest strength (hotness) of dishes served in European-Asian restaurant. I am an Asian flower in Europe, so I am trying to bring back the personal feeling for the word into my own personal context and roots.....

3: NIGHT

If your eyes can't squint hard enough and you have no binoculars, the words I imposed on water colours on coarse paper, by using Paint graphic software, reads "Night darkness consists of beautiful colours you take for granted in the brightness of daylight" - NA, November 2005

This is my poetic attempt to capture my romantic notion of the word "night" by using stark contrasting colours. Colours appraised in darkness are much more intense and pulchritudinous. Each becomes more sovereign and unequivocal in its unique omnipresence. Only by appreciating the moments of gloom and tenebrosity can one truly appreciate the composition of allure, charm and Venus.

2: NIGHT

Digital crayon on photo.

Dark watering hole in Amsterdam May 2003 when I thought he was an angel sent my way.

1 : BROKEN

I have joined Illustration Friday!

Today's word is BROKEN. Here's my first submission.

Being broken is not bad especially because you'll learn to patch yourself up again with the resources you have to mine from the deepest depth of your soul, some places you didn't know existed. Giving you new vibrant colours on otherwise clean but plain existence.

As you could see, smell, taste and express yourself, you are never completely broken. Be graceful in your moments of despair and carry your patched-up self with pride and the air or innocence.

Some dents are purely external. They too make you bolder and outstanding. Imperfection is beautiful.

No one is ever supposed to be broken. We are all meant to survive. Gracefully.