eva's gallery :: les fleur de cerise

Few months ago, I was browsing through photos, looking for something inspiring to draw. Then I stumbled upon this one *I dunno what it's called; temple, shrine?* Especially love the way it looks kinda deserted.

It was one day in Autumn'08 when we set off to Kita Kamakura for Momiji hunting slash tracking. The sun shone bright enough to warm the cool autumn day. Well, exactly the perfect day for our outing. Me & Ria met up with the boys on the station's platform.

The photo itself is courtesy of Adi, our photographerAnyhoo, I enjoyed drawing this. And one thing that I do remember well about that day; I wore the wrong outfit! On my defense, I didn't know we were going to do tracking. I thought we were just gonna find someplace under the tree to chill out, take photos like.. a lot, finding the most perfect spot etc. well basically Momiji hunting things only, you know -  But... ぶっぶーっ no, we went tracking too!! and I wore boots, high heel ones!! geez... luckily the scenery was amazing, worked like a charm to ease the discomfort huahaha

Hmm Japan really has something to offer in term of uniqueness, unlike... well, unlike *really, pardon me*  Singapore - okay I know, shame on me. I don't know what to sketch here, um buildings, malls?? yeah right. Except maybe Chinatown. You see, Chinatown at night is something you should see here. Lampion's everywhere. 

このドラマ大好き！This 11-episodes story is about family and I absolutely agree on the message they want to deliver; that a family does not necessarily have to be blood related, instead, a family is about getting to know each other, laugh and cry together and... protecting the same precious thing which is memory and time shared together.

This one definitely goes to #1 spot in my most fave JDrama list. What not to like? You'll get your fair share of enough laugh and tears. Actually I got annoyed every time the pre-aired trailer appeared on screen while I was watching Mei-chan no Shitsuji (Mei's Butler). After I finished watching the whole episode of Mei-chan no Shitsuji, I ran out of movies to watch *yeah I know, I got a LOT of free time*The trailer kinda stuck in my head, not that I wanted to watch it but it was just pure curiosity. So I searched and decided to watch the first episodes and... tadaa... loved it loved it and LOVED it. They only uploaded the 5 episodes or so *at that time* on the Internet. Luckily, I can watch Japan's tv channels so I got to watch Atashinchi no Danshi on regular basis hoho...  

  Having one month of free time in Bali really left me with choices none other than window shopping, food hunting, and art to keep me occupied. And out of the questions really, to not hold yourself back on the first two options. Too much window shopping, and it can hurt your bank account... well, in my case at least. Weak at temptation *grin* Food hunting was another challenge. My, those spicy, rich in flavor Balinese food, mouth-watering steaks, and behold... the evil in disguised, CAKES! I didn't want to gain extra weight and it left me with the last option here. Art.

I did spend the majority of my time engaging in either doing oil-painting or sketching. Sometimes during the second week in February, I saw small children making pottery out of the clay. Well, I did want to try it too, but there is something about pottery that screams "sacred" and that makes me feel I either learn it whole-heartedly or not at all. So I thought maybe next time.

Anyway, that basically led me into another type of clay which is less serious, much more fun and most importantly no need of an oven, it's air-dry. I dove headfirst looking for air-dry clay without knowledge whatsoever about any specific brand or characteristic, and I ended up buying the wrong one. Luckily my aunt still had half the clay given by my dad's niece who owns a clay store/studio in Jakarta.

And so... the creation began. I was experimenting; making tiny croissant first, then flowers and baskets filled with twisted candies. Stuffs from bakery are pretty easy to make. I think you can make them in one go even if it's your very first time ever to touch clay, like yours truly. Flowers are a bit tricky tho. I did fail a couple of times to get the result I wanted. I made some tulips and roses. But um.. those tulips do look like roses, don't you think?? hhh 失敗～

Finally, you want to give it some color too. You might want to leave the molded clay a couple of minutes so it can get hard first before you paint it with acrylic. In my case, since I'm not a really patient person by nature, I went straight into getting it painted after I got the shape I wanted. Either way is fine I think.

I searched in art & craft stores everywhere but they don't sell it in Bali, this kind of clay. In Singapore, air-dry clay in a size of a brick costs for about 4 dollar, if I'm not mistaken.

Well, if you like mini stuffs, maybe you can consider playing with clay. It's a lot of fun.  

I chose you when I planned creations.
You are not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book.
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.
You are fearfully wonderfully made.
I knit you together in your mother's womb and brought you forth on the day you were born.

I've been misrepresented by those who don't know Me,
I'm not distant and angry, but I'm the complete expression of love.
And it is My desire to lavish My love on you, should be, because you are My child and I am your Father.
I offer you more than your earthly Father ever could, for I am the perfect Father.

Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand for I am your Provider and I meet all your needs.
My plan for your future is always filled with hope because I love you with an everlasting love.
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore and I rejoice over you with singing.

I will never stop doing good to you, for you are my treasure possession.
I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul, and I want to show you great and marvelous things.
If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me.

Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart for it is I who gave you those desires.
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine, for I am your greatest Encourager.

I'm also the Father who comfort you in all your troubles.
When you are brokenhearted I am close to you.
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart.
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.

I'm your Father and I love you even as I love My son Jesus.
For in Jesus My love for you is revealed.
He is the exact representation of My being.
He came to demonstrate that I am for you not against you.
And to tell you that I'm not counting your sins.

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
His death is the ultimate expression of My love for you.
I gave up everything I love that I might gain your love.
If you receive the gift of My son Jesus, you receive Me.
And nothing will ever separate you from My love again.

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.
I've always been Father and will always be Father.
My question is will you be My child?
I am waiting for you.