Songs of the Sparky Rainbow

I have to admit, I can’t tell the difference between abstract, conceptual, pop, impressionism and Fauvism. To date, there are countless known and unknown talents and to be acquainted with them all, I’d have to attend another four years of college. I would have to major in arts of course, in addition to a life-long practice; and by that, I mean continually being updated in the subject and visiting art galleries & art exhibitions.  I have the same hidden talent for art as I do for singing on pitch, and that is a near freezing point, but I grade myself delirious-temperature for appreciation and respect for the work itself. While I may complete a 4-year course in the subject, I doubt I would ever be an aspiring art critic or painter. Some days we just need to realise the boundaries.

I didn’t have to go too far to find an artist in Nagoya. I found Shogo San! Shogo has many wise years of painting experience and I am fortunate indeed to see his work for myself. His paintings took me on several journeys - over green mountains, across lively seas and flowing rivers and into charming old towns.  Each piece offered its own array of beautiful rainbow shades and brought out the wonders of the magical watercolours. I was transported to a borderless world.  Shogo gave me one of his extraordinary paintings, one with a ship approaching in a near-distance, like the one we saw at the port. Timeless. I can sit on my ship's deck, gaze at the shiny diamonds and sail away through the night, anytime.

We are all the same.

Shogo and Hiroko took us to a quiet Zen-like cafe, not too far from their home. The cafe also houses an art gallery for exhibits. During our visit, we saw the ‘Bintang’ exhibit being featured. A crew from a Japanese TV station was also on site to interview the local artist and to cover this event. Shogo’s friend, an established painter himself, owns this cafe. The interior decor has a rustic flare with large windows overlooking the spring-greens to soothe away the days' tensions. Its seating arrangements was not too compact giving the customers space and privacy to discuss. It has a quiet and a very respectful atmosphere. This is a typical local cafe that attracts many local, creative thinkers. Our Nagoya blend was freshly ground and brewed, served black. And the toothy cookies! So precise, need I say more? They sure know what delights me.

Aichiken Charms.

Just as an artist who has an eye for his subjects, it’s interesting to observe how one develops an opinion of one in the way he/she sees that person. On that though, here is a portrait sketch of me, by a Vietnamese artist. I have been localised and this is how I look in his eyes. It may not look like me, but I cherish his attempt to interpret me. Enjoy your cuppa.

Is that you Uma?