Kusudama Obsession

On reddit the other day, someone uploaded this picture. The balls reminded me of the time when my mom brought home a pack of origami paper from Japan. I was around 8 or 9. I remember vividly how happy I was when my parents and I spent the whole day making 60 flowers like this one. So some what more than 10 years later, I have redeveloped my love for paper balls.

August - Lotus

Lotus (August). I was initially very surprised to hear that a lot of people don't automatically associate lotus flowers with Asia. I always assumed that lotus flowers, which are symbolically represented in a lot of Buddhist artworks, are uniquely Asian (South Asian included). But guess not, oh well.. and the girl is Asian.

I grew up in a small city in China. The downtown area is surrounded by a lake. And by mid July, the lake is completely covered with lotus flowers and lotus leaves. I remember taking evening strolls with my dad around the lake and watching dragonflies (before capturing them and killing them). Ah, childhood memories.

Here are the WIPs.












And the final version

January - Orchid

Here is Orchid (January). I worked with orchids extensively in the greenhouse back in college. I was an orchid specialist. That basically means that I was very good at fertilizing orchids. Unlike cacti, orchids didn't use fish-smelling fertilizers. Thankfully.

I never thought of orchids as winter plants, seeing as that they are tropical. But the petals of white orchids exhibit a certian powdery snow quality. And just like winter, orchids always made me depressed.

Here are the WIPs.












And the finished product.

June - Rose

Here is Rose (June). Not sure how much I like this one. Might redo it (seeing as the style doesn't really match the rest).

Here are the work in progress shots.

And the finished version.

Calender Project

I have been nursing this idea of doing a calender project. And now I have more time, I'm going to start art-blogging again.

The calender's objective is nothing unique. If anything, it has been done for centuries. I'm attempting to personify 12 flowers that represent the 12 months of the year. The style is somewhat a lazy version of Art Nouveau. Of course, I'm also incorporating my favorite polka-dots and stripes into these drawings. I think this will be a great opportunity for me to brush up on my illustration skills, and really learn to use color more frugally.

January - Orchid
February - Plum Blossoms
March - Narcissus
April - Tulip
May - Peony
June - Rose
July - Sunflower
August - Lotus
September - Morning Glory
October - Chrysanthemums
November - Poppy
December - Calla Lily