Chinese New Year: Year of the Rooster

Unlike the western new year which is fixed, Chinese new year is based on lunar calendar and will fall on the first new moon between 21 January and 20 February. The 2017 Chinese New year begins on January 28 and is called the Year of Rooster according to 12-year cycle of the animal zodiac. Those born in 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993 and 2005 are known as Roosters. Specifically, 2017 is the year of Fire Rooster. Fire Roosters are known for being trustworthy, punctual and responsible. To commemorate the Year of the Rooster, I made this paper cut of a rooster crowing with the sun breaking out in the background. I used three layers of paper to get this effect. I particularly enjoyed the cutting the details on the rooster. 

I have been working on a series of herbal-themed papercuts and here is one I made this week. Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs and I can almost smell its heady fragrance!

I also finished this illustrated recipe. A while ago, I posted here a version of it drawn on vinyl cloth using chalk pastels. This time, I drew an enhanced and a ore permanent version on wood using a hot pen.

Thanks for stopping by.

Linked Paint Party Friday. Thanks to Eva and Kristen for hosting.

InkTober 2016

Do-Something-Everyday, October 6, 2016

If it is October then it is InkTober on social media. I  heard about InkTober for the first time last year. It was created by Jake Parker in which every October artists all over the world take on the InkTober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month. He "first created InkTober in 2009 as a challenge to improve my inking skills and develop positive drawing habits". 

I decided to join in this year and here are three of the six I have drawn so far. The top one is an inky doodle I did while on conversation with my daughter on the phone. The two below are illustrations that I took undertook in the true spirit of InkTober which was to improve my botanical drawing skills, especially herbs and vegetables. You may or may not recognize the vegetables below as they are more commonly used in Asian and African/Caribbean cooking. If you do, please put their names in the comment. 

Thanks for visiting. Linked to Paint Party Friday. Thanks to Eva and Kristin for hosting.