THE ART OF VINCENT JENKIN (a.k.a. AFRICAN QUEEN)

We come to a point in life when we have deviated from what we our original intention(s). Sad but true. My dear "African Queen" friend sent me some photos he took for his current project and that stabbing familiarity stabbed me. It reminded me of those good 'ol days of being a student before cruel mass production controlled my life.

Footbridge at Datchet Station
Taken by Vincent Jenkin
This is the kind of pictures I used to take for inspiration on textures.

I miss student days. I miss doing freeflow illustrations. I miss the creative vibe of England. I miss being creative. Period.

I'm not being a hypocrite. As much as I hate my unfortunate fate with the United Kingdom, but I never denied that there is no other place better for creative studies. It was at England that I learnt what research was really about. I learnt most valuable but non-profitable aspect of art - avant garde creativity. I was Miss Technology who was forced to do what I hated most (not so much hate but was just plain lazy) - conventional art techniques. This means that I was forced to use pencil, paper and manual mediums of techniques (i.e. watercolour, pastels etc etc) or I was going to get a nice big fat 'F', or so my lecturer threatened. Of course I hated her then for that brutal force method but by the end of it all, I appreciated it because it really taught me the true aspect of research and expanding inspiration.

Good God! I so do miss being creative. You know... the kind of creativity that can't pay bills....

*sigh*

*double sigh*

With Vincent's (African Queen) approval, I have selected some of my personal favourites. But I would strongly recommend you go check out his site to see the full range of his works. It is like.... the metamorphosis of an artist. And best of all, his website is simple, easy to view and easy navigation. I hate those websites which contains the entire RGB colour palette and eye-squinting fonts.

::: LATEST PROJECT : "A SENSE OF PLACE" :::

PRE-PREP FIELD TRIP STUDY : QUICK SKETCHES AT PUBLIC PLACES

near-and-far study of buildings on south bank, london
charcoal on newspaper


study of sculpture in relation to national theatre from 1st terrace of national theatre
pencil


looking towards st. paul's and tower 42 from 1st terrace of national theatre
ballpoint pen


railing of walkway along river thames, south bank
ballpoint pen


section of national theatre from 2nd terrace of national theatre
charcoal on brown paper


SELF-STUDY : AROUND THE HOUSE

2 armchairs in living room
charcoal


2 armchairs in living room
charcoal


DEVELOPMENT SKETCHES FOR THE ACTUAL PROJECT

View of T3 Car Park


view of windsor & eton riverside train station from car park behind the station
marker pen


view of entrance onto platform of datchet train station from opposite platform
felt tip pen


view of sunnymeads train station from bridge over rail tracks
black marker


view of entrance to feltham train station from bus terminal
ballpoint pen


view of feltham train station from bridge over train tracks
ballpoint pen


::: LEISURE ART :::


Johannesburg (2004)
Acrylic


Summer Garden (2004)
Acrylic


Rainy Day (2004)
Pastels


::: 3-D Project :::


prawn
charcoal
starting point for 3D design project


prawn
wire, balloons, masking tape
adaptation from 3D design 01


ideas for 3D design project of stage set for live music performance (front & top view)


Final Piece : Side View


Final Piece : Front View

Good 'ol student days.
Wonder if I'll ever get back to this creative stage again.
Maybe I should just dump mass production.
Ha!
So I wish.....