Country Cottage Arts

Monday, 26  July 2010


Today's article is on Ms Azmi's work.  Azmi is a Quantity Surveyor and so is her husband. ( How nice to have both husband and wife in the same line of work- saves a lot of problems, doesn't it?  )  Azmi is a true blue Penangite, so her cooking is fantastic and so is her fabulous hacienda styled house! We've known each other for a long time and the great thing about Azmi is she's very  unpretentious, down to earth, easy going and very committed in whatever she does.  She's still into line dancing while I stopped ages ago.  That's commitment for you and me ! One reason why she still looks fabulous  too .......................

Her foray into decorative painting came by chance. I had painted several items for Azmi previously.  Her last visit to my house was to give another  item to paint, a signboard for her gazebo.  But then, she came when my Wednesday morning  class was going on, so,  while explaining to her the process , I casually asked her to try her hand at learning how to paint it herself.

I then  patiently   explained to her how easy it was and how I'd guide and teach her step by step ( the teaching instinct in me took over la, I couldn't help it ! ) and Azmi was a 'goner'.
I think I  did a pretty good job of convincing her, for despite her initial protests of " having 2 left hands and not talented in painting ", blah.. blah.. blah ,  good natured Azmi decided to embark on the wonderful journey of Folk and Decorating Painting.  Was I happy or what !

Azmi started on her  class the very next  Wednesday morning lesson.......... and the pictures below  shows her effort for the two classes she had attended so far.  Not bad for a beginner eh ?





Azmi's first lesson with daisies.  She did finish the project on her first lesson, really !






Azmi's second project ........... hydrangeas.......... and she said she had never painted before !!

Most times. we don't know what we are capable of and what hidden talents we have, until  we  make an  attempt to try , at least once.  This has applied to me too.  I used to sneak to the  school library when my art teacher entered the class and couldn't hold a brush for beans..................until I took up decorating painting out of the blue when in my forties..... would you believe it ?


So, all those who think you can't paint,  get a starter painting kit and brush and go to the nearest Folk & Decorative teacher within your vicinity/area.  The blogs of some of the teachers/ artists are tagged below , namely Olive Blue/ Les Fleurs Decorative Painting ( on the bottom right )  You won't regret it.


Just to inform readers, my classes are conducted at my home in Shah Alam, address given below -

                                         47  Jalan Puyuh  6/1D
                                         Section 6 ( near the Sec 6 market)
                                         Shah Alam

Classes conducted on Wednesday and Saturday   mornings 9.30 am ( MPSJ Saturday morning community classes postponed for the fasting month )

Saturday afternoon at 3.00pm.

Please do call/sms/ email to enquire or confirm classes : 012 6709459 or email : luckylaksh11@gmail.com



Happy painting

Lakshmi

Thursday, 21 July 2010

My class at 3C Complex at Subang Jaya last Saturday saw a  number of students attending.  Everyone managed to take home a completed project and were quite happy with their accomplishment.    The only problem now is that MPSJ has yet to give  definitive fixed dates for decorative painting classes, the result of which is, sometimes students are not informed earlier of last minute changes and turn up for classes which are not on their list of prorities.  I've informed MPSJ of this anomaly and hope that MPSJ will solve this problem soon.  Rest assured that I will update readers of any changes.

No decorative painting class on  Saturday, 24 July 2010.  Also, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is about to begin and MPSJ will probably be not having any class until Hari Raya, I think.  Classes are, however, conducted at my home, so please call/confirm for attendance.

Below are some of the painting projects done by Ms Intan during her lessons with me.

Ms Intan has already painted a caddy with roses, last week.  Although her original intention was to use it for putting her painting brushes, she decided against it after the project was completed.  Said it was too good and pretty for  her brushes, so she's  going to use it for Hari Raya ! I quite agree with her. Anyway, Intan is going to do another one to put her brushes in this time, ha ha !.

After her caddy with the roses, I convinced Intan to learn to paint lilies.  Lilies are truly truly beautiful flowers and I simply don't understand why it is not popular with decorative artists and students in general.  Sigh... everyone is still  in the roses syndrome, I  think.  











 This is the finished painting of Victorian Lilies by Ms Intan.   Although a stronger background colour would have been preferable to bring out the beauty of the lilies, I think they still look beautiful, all the same.  I'm sure you'll agree with me......


Happy painting


Lakshmi

Wednesday, 14 July 2010


My decorative painting class will be conducted on this Saturday, 17 July at Complex 3C, Subang Jaya, from  9am till 12 noon.  For those who are not familiar with the location, it is the big blue and red building which is about 500m from Sunway Pyramid. 

The Subang Jaya Municipal Council ( MPSJ)  has finally standardized the fee at RM15.00  per class to enable a wider participation from the community at large.   Paints and brushes are provided.  You only have to bring your plaques/ boards.  It's nearly impossible to learn decorative painting at such low fees but MPSJ is subsidizing the cost as part of its community outreach program.

So readers and all those interested in picking up a hobby, please do inform your friends to come and join the class.   Alternatively, please call me at 012-6709459  or email me at - luckylaksh11@gmail.com  if you need any further info.


 Happy painting

Lakshmi

Monday, 12 July 2010


I've been quite busy lately with many demos being conducted and trying my very very best to explain to all and sundry, especially the ladies' clubs, groups, etc, etc to take up a craft, any craft, for that matter.  Of course, of course, decorative painting is my top choice! 

'An idle mind is a devil's workshop', as the saying goes and to this end, during my course of  talks on crafts, I found that most of our ladies are more into  dramas and mega serials with their never ending plots and wily ways.  With the most silly and convoluting story lines, with typical story lines of whole families being involved in everyone's problems, back-stabbing each other, plotting to bring down someone of their own, bitching and killing, jealousy and hatred, etc, etc, the ladies are caught up with the sob tales and spins and immerse themselves fully into the plot............ and all their brain power is zapped, just like that !

Haiyo ! how to have time to broaden our minds, expand our knowledge, pick up a skill, try out new ideas and live our lives fully ? Didn't one of the wise man say that ' the past is history and the  present is a gift '?  It's really an uphill battle to change their attitude. When I get so exasperated and press them further, their whining and complaining and lame excuses just shocks me.... Helo?  you can prioratise to  buy bling blings costing thousands, Armani handbangs and Jimmy Choos, just to name a few but you can't afford to spend for learning a skill that keeps you mentally engaged, brings you new friendship, opens up a new horizon and to top it all, gives you much needed confidence in yourself and personal satisfaction ?  And it not necessarily have to be decorative painting, you know!  There are a thousand and one skills out there, waiting to be taught, to  be learnt  and to be done.   Need I say more.............................................?

I can go on and on but enough of my rantings for now.... I feel much better already !

Back to my students  paintings....

Rebecca wanted to learn a different flower and much to my happiness, she decided on the yellow poppies with a lace edge for her green tissue box.  Thank God, it was not roses! .  It was a good attempt for a first try on poppies.  The pic below has not been fully completed nor varnished but I must say that it is almost finished except for a few touches.  And, she did it in one session! 

Happy painting and go pick up a hobby if you haven't done already !

Lakshmi

Saturday  3  July  2010


The following pictures are of Ms Asma and  Rebecca with their respective art projects during class.

This is Asma's first decorative painting project and by the looks of it, she's a fast learner!  The project was completed within class hours on her first day itself.  Asma informed me that she was mostly into decoupage  previously but that after some time, it did not create any challenge for her, thus her desire to learn painting.

 Now, that's what I call PROGRESS......  Good for you, Asma, you have my whole-hearted support..... by the way, , do you notice her  beaming smile and ' I've done a great job 'look on her pretty face ? It's a great feeling and everyone should experience it............ just take up a hobby la........

The picture below is of Rebecca, who also managed to complete her project on her first class with me at my home.  Rebecca's interest in decorative painting was so great that she started off by trying it out on her own with the help of the internet .............  how's that for motivation  huh ?





After  I had shown her a  few demonstrations on her art book , Rebecca managed to do justice for her floral project in record time.  Mama mia !  I simply love the look on her face...., but you should have seen her   joy and happiness when she surveyed her finished work. I think her face says it all.

And you know what, she paid me the most simple and sincere compliment ever and I take great pleasure  in quoting her exact words "  teacher, you are a very nice and good teacher "   Nothing earth-shattering, but I basked in her compliment, just the same.   Thank you, Rebecca



Lakshmi