A Charcoal Sketch to record my walk September 23, 2008

Sungei Buloh vs Johor Bahru skyline

One of my favourite walks I take at Buloh is at this mangrove boardwalk. I could see Malaysia across the straits. The contrasting  shapes of mangrove trees silhouetted against  the city skyline of Johor Bahru caught my  attention, making it a telling image of nature vs man, complementing perhaps in terms of aesthetics or silently declaring our co-existence is in imminent disruption. Neither aspect was the reason for my sketch. I scanned the horizon, everything there look tranquil and still. No human presence, no traffic noise and no trash washed ashore this morning. The silence is only broken by occasional bird calls.  Its another perfect morning to start my day. 

Tham Pui San

23Sep 08

Coming soon: oil series for Sg Buloh June 2, 2008

Watch out  for my next exhibition at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in Dec 08.

 Here are two thumbnail references for plein air painting at the Main Hide on 2 June, 08.

 Tham Pui San, updated 2 June 08.

Wetlands Alive October 31, 2008

 

Wetlands Alive: this  art exhibition to celebrate  the 15 th anniversary of Sungei Buloh will be held  from 6 Dec 08 to 15 Feb 2009.

exhibition poster

 

It will showcase 40 oil paintings of  this mangrove environment, depicting  glorious perspectives of this habitat and presents a message of hope and encouragement for nature and us. Two paintings will be auctioned to raise  funds for the Garden City Fund and  Rainbow Centre, a charity with a mission to enhance the lives of children and youths with special needs by providing early intervention programme and special education schools to help them develop to their fullest potential.

   Tham Pui San 24Nov.08

The Fallen shall Thrive May 3, 2008

  About four years ago  I did a  sketch of this fallen Sonneratia Alba, apparently struck by lightning on Christmas Eve 2003.

The old sketch was executed  with a 2 B graphite pencil, showing  details of the fresh breaks on some roots and masses of  earth still clinging stubbornly to the tips of the roots. Clumps of foliage on the higher branches laid so helplessly on the  ground still attached, waiting perhaps to continue its wondrous food making  process of photosynthesis. It attracted my attention then simply because of its unusual state brought about by an act of  nature and I wondered if the tree could overcome this seemingly cruel strike.

Four years on it has found a new way to survive and thriving well. My faith in Nature held strong.

Two large clusters of lively green foliage now grow on its prone trunk, like a fish with 2 large dorsal fins in tandem.  How it will continue to grow would be an interesting phenomenum to know and  I  wonder if it  can still bear  fruits  like the others do.

This present charcoal sketch is dedicated to those who need to make do with  changes caused by the  inevitable. 

Take heart, Nature and Time do wonders when we have faith.

Pui San 3 May 2008 

MayDay Outreach 2008 May 2, 2008

On MayDay we celebrated Nature with some homeschoolers.

 A 2 x 4 metre  mural depicting marine life was painted at the refurbished “english cottage” at Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin. This was also a part of the IYOR 2008 celebrations ( International Year of the Reefs)

Being our first  art project outside our home ground  at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, and to ensure the  theme was aesthetically pleasing,  a training session was conducted for the kids to prepare them.

The  Dabblers painted the  upper portion while the  kids so patiently painted the  lower portion below the waves, despite  the somewhat awkward level to work at. The mural turned out  well, receiving much attention and  praise from visitors.

 

 PuiSan 2May08

 

Creative Christmas Art Workshop December 21, 2007

Pui San conducted another highly successful Christmas art workshop at Sungei Buloh on 20 Dec 2007. Over 30 participants created interesting Christmas gifts under his patient guidance and inspiration. Check out some of their works here.

More bin-painting sessions October 17, 2007

Pui San led another bin-painting session at Sg Buloh Wetland Reserve. And all they took was half a day to complete these 6 colourful bins!

landscape sketching July 16, 2007

 

A month ago I started to revive a rather neglected medium ( my materials stashed but not forgotten) which interestingly worked out very well for capturing mangrove sceneries.
And I have also introduced basic techniques for this medium to some students in the monthly paint along sessions . This medium is very portable, not expensive and full of potential for really good looking images.
You can create a full range of tonal values just using one single stick of charcoal besides being capable of rendering unlimited line work and texture. Spontaniety and feel is as great and sensuous as pastel but at a fraction of the cost. Please have a look at the posted charcoal image and let me know how you like it.
Pui San (16 Jul, 07).

Unveiled: Fabric of the Wetlands June 7, 2007

This work of art took 11 weeks and 40 pair of hands to complete. Titled, Fabric of the Wetlands, it was launched on 2 June 2007 to commemorate World Environment Day. It will continue to be on display for the month of June. Visit the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve to enjoy the patchwork!

Watching by the Main Bridge March 23, 2007

Submitted by Lee Long