Site Update

In addition to adding three new paintings (see previous post below), I've also refreshed my site with some "new old" works. I say "new old," because many of these newly added pieces are – admittedly – oldies...but hopefully still considered goodies. (Post-holiday cleaning around the apartment prompted me to dust off the paper portfolios.)

Thankfully, there are some new projects in the coming month which I'm looking forward to adding. So stay tuned!

And now for a brief frequently-asked-question...and answer:
Q. What's up with the watermarks on your site? They're kinda distracting...and a bit ugly.
A. While I may come across as a raging egomanic by stamping my site address/copyrights onto virtually all of my web images...I've learned that, unfortunately, lots of not-so-nice people lurk the cyber community and have no qualms about stealing other people's work for actual profit & gain. Friends and loved ones would always remind me to sign my work – and a couple bouts with identity theft have only reinforced the cause for these ugly (yes, they are ugly) watermarks. By the way, I'm not trying to flatter myself by thinking that my work is even desirable enough to be taken & used just like that...but with all due respect to anyone out there, it doesn't hurt to play it a little safe in this day and age :)

To take a look at the refreshed portfolio section, please click here. Thanks for the interest & support!

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Song of the Day: "Mushaboom" by Feist

New Paintings

After a nice holiday break with my family – and too many failed attempts connecting to the internet – I'm now trying to get back on track with things...all the while suppressing a case of the post-holiday blues and reclaiming a healthier, reduced-cookie diet. Alas, there seems to be so much left to do in the remaining hours of 2006.

3 new paintings (including the one shown above) have been added to my site – these were given as gifts to my parents, brother and sister-in-law, and Uncle Dave. I'm trying my hand at abstract painting and finding enjoyment at doing so (it's still new to me).

To view, please click on the link below. They are the last three in the bottom row under the "Featured Artwork" section. And thanks for checking in.

http://viviandesigns.com/portfolio.htm

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Song of the Day: "Oh Lately It's So Quiet" by OK Go

Warmest Wishes!

I am heading off to the San Diego area to be with my family this weekend & will resume my blog antics after Christmas.
Sorry to those whom I missed speaking with this holiday season...hope to touch base with you soon...

Peace and happiness to all!
Viv

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Song of the Day: "Song For a Winter's Night" – Sarah McLachlan

Back to the Drawing Board

I need to get back into the habit of regularly attending drawing workshops! This became painfully evident when I went to The Drawing Club workshop a few weeks ago...and found that my drawing-from-observation skills had regressed to the verge of oblivion. OK, so perhaps I was fine with some of my drawings (after some warming up), but it's amazing what a 4-year drought can do.

The Drawing Club is hosted by Mr. Bob Kato – a wonderful & prolific artist whom I also had as an instructor back at Art Center. The atmosphere is very cool, very laid-back. At $20 a session, you have: a great model (usually in a themed costume/setting), various dynamic poses, refreshments, and the presence of other talented individuals looking to hone/improve upon their skills. Thursday night sessions are typically from 7-10pm; there is usually a monthly Sunday session (long pose) from 10am-1pm.

Posted above are some of the sketches I did when I finally got around to attending. John Findlater – who posed as the "Football Fan" – was excellent. I wish I could've done more justice to him, but ah well...hopefully, this is a start of better things to come :)

For more information on The Drawing Club, please visit: www.thedrawingclub.com

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Word of the Day: feckless
Song of the Day: "The W.A.N.D." by The Flaming Lips

Insomnia Sucks

Enough said :P

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Song of the Day: "I'm Looking Through You" – The Beatles

Serenity...please.

Sorry to rant...but yeah, this is how I feel at times.

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Track of the Day: "The Diver" by Thomas Newman
(How to Make an American Quilt film score)

La-de-da.

The above drawing is based on a really short, random dream I had.
Oh well. (It was grapefruit juice...in case you're wondering.)

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Song of the Day: "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" – The Inkspots

And now for a quick shout-out.

After spending the last several weeks in Vietnam, my mom is finally on her way home. Travel safely, Mom – love and miss you!

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Song of the Day: "The Everthere" by Elbow

Glad to Bee of Help

Last night, we had our company holiday party at Funrise (www.funrise.com). It was a nice gathering held at the new office, with plenty of food, drinks, and mingling to go around.

I was fortunate enough to share "MVP" honors with fellow worker Steve Starobinksy – for which I'm extremely appreciative, as I really just see myself as any other person wanting to do a good job, so long as you're given the opportunity to do so. It's one of those things where work can bog you down to the point of self-doubt...and a moment like this comes along and renews your faith & purpose, making you want to accomplish more. So thanks to my friends at Funrise for this honor & support; I'll do my best to keep it up.

PS. While I was my own designated driver and did not partake at the bar, I hope others are recovering alright today :)

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Word of the day: perspective
Song of the day: "Chances" by Athlete

Holiday Office Pranks are More Fun...

...when you're not the one being pranked.

Santa hats off to Shawn and Gerhard for being the brains behind making Audrey's office a winter wonderland in her absence. Being the diligent workers that we are, everyone in the office tried to participate in some way. (Not shown: Frosty's big pile of snow poo on her chair.)

Holiday Cheers!

PS. Yes, Audrey liked it.

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Song of the Day: "I Call It Art" by Serge Gainsbourg; as sung by The Kills

Happy Holiday Cards

In the spirit of the holiday season, I've added my holiday card designs (1998 - present) to my website.

To view, please click here. And happy holidays to you :)

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Song of the day: "Long & Lazy River" by Nellie McKay

Hello, World.

This is my first blog. Ever. And I'm a bit nervous, to be quite honest.

I have a confession: I once balked at the idea of starting a blog – personally speaking – simply because I felt reluctant to subject my innermost thoughts and creative output to public scrutiny. However, I marveled at those who were able to do so, with such seeming ease and confidence...and, perhaps most importantly, with something to say and something to share. Once an assured little brat with a penchant for shaping her thoughts into words and pictures, I had managed to (for a variety of reasons) regress into a state of hyper self-consciousness with my art throughout the years, dashed with discouraging, all-too-frequent moments of creativity block. But due to some recent circumstances, I've decided to...as cheesy as it may sound...do some hefty soul-searching. It was time to relinquish my membership to the chronic pity party. Slowly but surely, I've been trying to reclaim parts of myself...though there is infinite room, of course, to grow and learn. I'm now realizing what a silly perspective to have harbored...to be too afraid, timid, sad, frustrated, and even angry to express myself...especially for someone who claims to be an aspiring artist.

So...to those with whom I've ever displayed a lack of sensibility and a closed mind...sorry for the doubt...and thanks for the encouragement. Here I am now – and I hope you'll bear with me, as I settle into my new pair of shoes. And speaking of shoes...I've beaten my last pair to death.

My intention, therefore, is to have this blog serve as a therapeutic outlet, a swift kick in the pants if you will – perhaps a place to share news/updates, works-in-progress, and really random stuff that would have otherwise been swept under the rug. This could be exciting (at least for me).

Thanks for dropping in...and sorry for the self-indulged rant. I hope you'll come back.

Vivian Nguyen

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Word of the Day: pushpin
Song of the Day: "Almost Forgot Myself" by Doves
Shameless Plug: Please visit my website to view artwork http://www.viviandesigns.com