Khoo Cheang Jin's solo

Nile River (watercolour 56x76cm 2006) IF you are a fan of artist Khoo Cheang Jin, you might want to know that he is having a solo exhibition at the NN Gallery in Ampang. The solo exhibition by this Penang born artist cum architect, entitled 'Spaces: Here and Now' will be held from Aug 4 till 25. As usual, you will be treated by Khoo's depiction of indigenous buildings, marketplaces and other places of historical charm which resulted from his journey to Egypt, China and his homestate Penang. Apart from Khoo's watercolours, there will also be some ink sketches in this two year collection. Khoo is a member of the Malaysian Watercolour Organization and the Penang Watercolour Society. Yellow Carpet, Angkor (watercolour 56x76cm 2007) NN gallery is located at: 53A & 56 Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir, Ampang Tel: 03-4270-6588

Batik Watercolour Painting?

If have done batik, chances are that you would intend it to be the traditional form - as a fabric for an attire or accessories such as scarves. This piece, believe it or not, is batik being promoted as a painting. To be exact, it is a semi abstract piece showing a traditional house. I spotted it during a visit to a craft bazaar.

National Art Gallery - To reopen on July 30

Yes, finally, after close to 10 months being closed, the National Art Gallery will be reopened this month. This is a long-awaited moment, especially for artists, after the place was closed for massive renovations - one of which was due to termite attacks on the floorboards and leaky roofing. I still recall the last day of the Putrajaya Landscape Watercolour exhibition. One end of the main gallery was leaky and water was dripping from the ceiling and watercolour paintings were several feet away from it. Hopefully when it reopens, the saga of the leaky roofs will end there - after having caused so much embarrassment to the ministries involved until one minister had to blame the weather for all the leaks. This is, if I am not mistaken, the second massive facelift for the gallery after it moved from opposite the Railway Station. This new site is a much more conducive to a gallery of national repute. Surrounding the gallery are the sprawling Lake Titiwangsa, the majestic National Theatre, the National Library and just several kilometres away from KLCC. It is also well serviced by a bus route and the compound is well-shaded. I don't know if the ministry in charge will bring back the monthly Craft Mart or Laman Seni which had been quite successful since its introduction about two years ago until the gallery was closed end last year. This was shifted to Putrajaya, near Souq, an impractical move that has now reduced the number of artists participating to just a handful. This is understood since Putrajaya is not exactly within the tourist belt and what are we promoting the mart to if not foreign and domestic tourists, as well as weekenders who can arrive at the venue within 30 minutes' journey. The grounds around the gallery is stil under-utilised and is perfect for weeken art events. I remember the time when the gallery just moved from the Majestic Hotel (its former home) opposite Railway Station. The crowd to the gallery was sparse and remained so several years until the managers introduced the once-a-monthly Laman Seni. The gallery was then under the able leadership of Wairah Marzuki, if I am not mistaken. The event became quite a hit with the people, especially locals, but suffered because there was a visible lack of focus. Later it became more like a day pasar malam until it was scrapped for the renovation work. I am keeping my fingers crossed that with the renovation work complete and the gallery restored to his former glory, efforts would be made to draw art lovers to it - this being not only confined to craft but also visual art such as acrylic, oil and watercolour paintings. For without interesting and related activities, you will have an ivory tower that draw no visitor.

My Work In Oil - Home Coming

Done! This is my first work in oil as guided by local oil painter Sabri Salleh. I had a bad time trying my hand on this piece 16"x20" of a water taxi crossing the river in Kuching. Most of my problems came from trying to understand the various methods of using oil and trying out the mixes of solvents (linseed and turpentine). The colours used are W&N paints - I bought the basic set because I really don't know if I want to paint in oil again or just stick to watercolours, which, although is a tough medium to master, is at least less cumbersome to work with and faster. ps: No, this piece is not for sale.

Rafie Abdul Rahman's Rare Work

This is watercolourist Rafie Abdul Rahman's rare work on the Siti Khadijah market in Kota Bahru. It measures 26 inches by 39 inches, oil on canvas. If you are interested, call him. The price? RM5,000. Interested? Write to me. Genuine buyers only. I will pass on your info to him. This is a close-up view of the work:

Drawing Landscape in Pencil

This book's title is self explanatory. But the fact that it was a reprint of the original by Frank Rines made it special. I don;t know why anyone would want to reprint a book published twenty over years ago is quite mind boggling unless it is a very good book. And I found out that it indeed is. Landscape Drawing in Pencil by Frank Rines is a must read if you want to find out how the old masters do it. The book starts off with the types of pencils to use and how you should handle each. Rines even teaches you how to sharpen the pencils and what strokes to use (see below) to create what texture that possibly best represents your subject matter. From there on, there are pages and pages of drawings the artist did and you will learn from keen observation how he handle landscape - from trees to water, and quite a number of marine drawings as well. If you are a beginning artist, I think you will need to draw well before you can even paint well. Well, this is the book you should check out. Landscape Drawing in Pencil (Dover Books on Art Instruction) is available from Amazon.

Art and Brush Bag

Brush Bag This is a self-designed brush bag made of waterproof polyster canvas. There are over 14 pockets for putting brushes of various thickness and lengths. The bag measures 30.5cm height by 45cm width. It is handsewn and tough as a mule. It can be washed and even if your brush is wet, once wrapped in it, the water will very unlikely seep out. The design is also created for easy drying of the brushes, thus preventing fungus growth. It wraps up to about 15cm width and has a velcro strap. I have designed it to last and keep your brushes organised and safe. Brush Bag - Folded The brush bag when opened. Art Bag This is actually a large tote bag, measuring 65cm width and 51cm deep, also made of wahsable tough polyester canvas. It is built to last and can be used to carry large art blocks. Tote Bag: 65cm by 51 cm. If you like to order these bags, contact me for price details.

Art Galleries Listing

Galleries within KL City Aoyama Sri Hartamas Gallery 16, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, KL Tel: 03-6201 6618/Fax: 03-6201 6943 Art Folio Gallery T116, 3rd Floor, City Square, Jalan Tun Razak, KL Tel: 03-2162 3339 (The) Art Gallery, KL KL College of Art,, Level 4, No.1, Lorong Medan Tuanku, KL Tel: 03-2694 3486/Fax: 03-2693 1037 Art House Gallery Lot 2.39-2.42, 2nd Floor, Wisma Cosway, Jalan Raja Chulan, KL Tel: 03-2148 2283/Fax: 03-2142 4177 Art Loft Gallery 4th Floor, Starhill Gallery, No.181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL Tel: Art Salon 4, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: 03-2282 2601/Fax: 03-2282 1878 Art Space Gallery S162, 2nd Floor, City Square, 182 Jalan Tun Razak, KL Tel: 03- 2161 7128/Fax: 03- 2161 7128 ARTalk Gallery 22-1 & 22-2, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: 03-2282 8633/8863/Fax: 03-2282 9633 Artcase Galleries (City Square) F128, First Floor, City Square, Jalan Tun Razak, KL Tel: 03-2163 5160/Fax: 03-2163 5160 Artique Fine Art Lot E-01-03, Ground Floor, Block E, Plaza Mont' Kiara, KL Tel: 03-6201 9809 Artist 3 Gallery H-O-12, Block H, Plaza Damas, 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, KL Tel: 03-6201 7663 Artseni Gallery 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Muse floor (4th floor), Starhill Gallery, KL Tel: 03-2144 0782/Fax: 03-2144 0782 Central Academy of Art Gallery 168A-D, Batu 3 1/2, Jalan Klang Lama, KL Tel: 03-7980 6155/Fax: 03-7981 0607 Darling Muse Art Gallery 142 Jalan Bukit Pantai, KL Tel: 03-2284 7441 Elle Six 73-1, Mezzanine Floor, Jalan Setiabakti, Damansara Heights, KL Tel: 03-2093 5925/Fax: 03-2093 5926 Elm Quay Fine Arts G.09, MiCasa Shoppes, 368-B,, Jalan Tun Razak, KL Tel: 03-2161 5260/Fax: 03-2161 5268 Evelyn Dillon's Studio 1, Jalan Taman Duta, KL Tel: 03-2095 9907/Fax: 03-2092 5022 Florence Art House Lot 2.61, 2nd Floor, Wisma Cosway, Jalan Raja Chulan, KL Tel: 03-2148 2283/Fax: 03-2142 4177 Galeri Citra W-M-2, Mezzanine Floor, West Wing, Rohas Perkasa, 8, Jalan Perak, Tel: 03-2161 6066/Fax: 03-2161 6011 Galeri Dataran Maybank MaybanLife Tower, Dataran Maybank, 1, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, KL Tel: 03-2297 1990/Fax: 03-2297 2828 Galeri PETRONAS Lot 341-343, Level 3 Suria KLCC, PETRONAS Twin Towers, KL City Centre, KL Tel: 03-2331 7770 / 7773 Fax: 03-2331 7170 Galeri Seni Maya 12, 1st Floor, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: +03-2282-2069/Fax: +03-2282-2069 Galeri Tangsi PAM Centre, 4-6 Jalan Tangsi, KL Tel: 03-2691 0805/13/Fax: 03-2691 0805 Galeriiizu Mezzanine Floor (above EON Bank), UOA Centre, Jalan Pinang, KL Tel: 016-380 5999 Gallerie TAKSU 17, Jalan Pawang, Bukit Keramat, KL Tel: 03-4251 4396/Fax: 03-4251 4331 Gallery @ Starhill, The 4th Floor, Starhill Centre, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL Tel: 03-21433323 Gemarimba Gallery B-8, Taman Tunku Apartments, Taman Tunku, Bukit Tunku, KL Tel: 03- 6201 3505/Fax: 03- 6201 3505 Heng Artland FF8-9 Star Hill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang Tel: 03-2141 6898 Fax: 2141 5898 Islamic Arts Museum Jalan Lembah Perdana, KL Tel: 03-2274 2020/Fax: 03-2274 0529 Izzu Gallery 11B Jalan Mentakab, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, KL Tel: 03-4025 1060 Mun Sen Art Gallery 10-1 & 12-1, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: 03-2282 8321/Fax: 03-2282 8321 National Art Gallery (Balai Seni Lukis Negara) 2, Jalan Temerloh, Off Jalan Tun Razak, KL Tel: 03-4025 4990/Fax: 03-4025 4987 Nikko Galleria 1st Floor, Nikko Hotel, Jalan Ampang, KL Tel: 03-261 1111 Pelita Hati No 22, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, KL Tel: 03-2284 8380/Fax: 03-2284 8380 Picture This & That 183, Jalan Ampang, KL Tel: 03-2145 2430/Fax: 03-2145 2479 Pucuk Rebung, Gallery-Museum, Lot 302-A, Level 3, Ampang Mall, Suria KLCC Tel: 03-382 0769, 382 1109/Fax: 03-382 1108 Sandra Knuyt Art Gallery Level 1, Shangri-La Hotel, 11 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250, KL Tel: 03-2032 4073 Sandra Knuyt Studio 35, Jalan Wangsa 5, Bukit Antarabangsa, Ampang, KL Tel: 03-4103 3996/Fax: 03-4103 2544 Seksan Design No. 67 Jalan Tempinis 1, Lucky Garden, Bangsar, KL Tel: 03-22824611/Fax: 03-22820366 SpaceKraft Benteng, River Walk, 20, Jalan Medan Pasar, KL Tel: 019-351 1975 TINTA Gallery 8, Lengkok Abdullah, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: 03-2283 4008 TJ Fine Art D.08G Plaza Damas, Jln Sri Hartamas 1, KL Tel: 03-6201 4718 TMS Art Gallery No.10 Jalan Wangsa Budi 6A, Wangsa Melawati, KL Tel: 012-257 9775 (Emilia)/Fax: +03-4142 8154 Tomlinson Collection Bangsar Gallery 30, Jalan Telawi Lima, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: 03-2283 2196/Fax: 03-2283 2181 Townhouse Gallery 19A, Jalan Medang Tanduk, Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar, KL Tel: 03-2094 3381 Valentine Willie Fine Art 1st Floor, 17, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, KL Tel: 03-2284 2348/Fax: 03-2282 5190 Yan Fine Art Gallery Lot T137, 3rd Floor, City Square Centre, Jalan Tun Razak, KL Tel: 03- 2161 9462 Outside KL City Artcase Galleries (Bukit Antarabangsa) 8, Jalan Kelab Ukay 2, Bukit Antarabangsa, Ampang, Selangor Tel: 03-4107 7329/Fax: 03-4107 7329 Galeri Shah Alam Laman Budaya, Persiaran Tasik Barat, Shah Alam, Selangor Tel: 03-5510 5344 / 6045/Fax: 03-5510 2081 NN Gallery 53A & 56, Jalan Sulaiman 1, Taman Ampang Hilir, Ampang, Selangor Tel: 03-4270 6588/Fax: 03-4270 3357 Private Gallery, The Section 16, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Tel: 03-7958-2175 Reka Art Space GL29, Block C, Kelana Square, 17 Jalan SS7/26, Kelana Jaya, Selangor Tel: 03-7880 5982/Fax: 03-7875 8006 Rimbun Dahan Kilometer 27, Jalan Kuang, 48050, Kuang, Selangor Tel: 03-6038 3690 Sandra Knuyt Art Gallery Lobby Level, Hilton Hotel PJ, No. 2 Jalan Barat, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Tel: 03-7960 7213 Shian's Art & Sculpture, Gallery 1 / Shop, G42-1, Ground Floor, The Summit USJ 1, Persiaran Kewajipan USJ 1, Subang UEP, Selangor Tel: 03-8023 4669 Silver Gelatin 34-B, Jalan SS2/67, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Tel: 03-7877 1477 XOAS Gallery Address:76G Jln University, Sect 13, Petaling Jaya Tel: 03-7955-0601/Fax: 03-7958-3601 If you wish to list your gallery here, or submit art show listings, write to me.