Bruce Lee art - KL Gallery #3

Bruce Lee is idolised the world over for his extraordinary martial arts skills. In Sunway Pyramid, artwork depicting the legend that is Bruce Lee adorns the wall of this great shopping centre.

An Abstract Mind - A Guest Post with Leovi

I don't remember the exact moment I first discovered Leovi's blog. I think it was when I was going through an abstract photography fever of my own and I googled "abstract photography" to find out some more ideas.

Leovi is one talented guy who posts his fantastic work at his abstract photography blog, and I'm delighted that he's accepted the invitation to share some of his work on my blog today. His is one of the blogs I go to visit every single day. These are not return visits, they are visits simply because I love his work and seeing what he has come up with.

So let me introduce you to Leovi, he'll fill you in on some interesting stuff on how he became a master abstract photographer, and share some special images of an Asian flavour which he has intriguingly created . . . . .

"First I want to thank you Duncan for your hospitality and invitation to post on your blog. I want to pay tribute to Malaysia with these pictures.

Hantu Air (Espiritu del Agua - Water Spirit)1

As a child I wanted to be a footballer and collected the trading cards of players.  I knew all their names and statistics. 

After I had learned them all, I invented a new game. The game was to look at the border around the edge and try to guess the name of the player according to the tones of the sky in the photo. There were over 400 cards in my collection (at the time the photography was analogue).  I found that not even one of the skies was the same. I spent days trying to guess the names by just looking at a piece of heaven. I think subconsciously that learning how to see the difference in the colour helped me a lot.

Hantu Air (Espiritu del Agua - Water Spirit)2

As a teenager I loved playing with a flashlight, projecting light onto the ceiling. I would cover the light beam partially with my fingers and create light, shadow and movement. At the same time I was listening to music and trying to create music-related images. With Sierra symphonic or progressive rock ie: Pink Floid, Yes, Camel, Genesis... the rate of movement and form was more leisurely. If I listened to hard rock ie: Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Ramones ... The speed of the images increased. 

Hantu Air (Espiritu del Agua - Water Spirit)3

With this experience, I created abstract images that were very suggestive. They woke up my imagination. Since I didn't know English, I created images and stories not related to the subject of songs. This didn't happen when I used Spanish songs.  I felt closed and it did not work.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Later, I started adding layers of painting and drawing.  I would gradually increase the intensity of an area (I was listening to the music of Alan Parsons, Mike Oldfield, Tangerine Dream ....). Listening to music helped me feel the change of color tones according to the intensity of light. For me this was just fun. But at one point I wanted to make representational work. I tried painting, but I wasn't trained in ​​painting and it was a disaster.

Hari Wesak

Eventually after purchasing a SLR camera I discovered that my imagery was based on light and the only way of painting with light was through photography. Simultaneously, I had a passion for the paintings of Van Gogh and his freedom working with colour. Thus, I began my adventures with art and the documentation of my early works in 1987. My art studies are minimal. I haven't been in many competitions or contests, since they ask for a Curriculum Vitae.

Thaipusam 1

The biggest challenge in the beginning was technical. It took a while for me to find the right type of film and lighting for my needs. At the time we only had analogue and my resources were very limited. I could not afford to have a laboratory, so I got used to creating the image before shooting. I learned to enjoy creating the scene before shooting, and I think that influenced my creativity and my photography.  I have a way of working and an approach to the art sessions. Each time I take the camera is a challenge.

Thaipusam 2

My dream is to have my style recognized when it is viewed by others. I have and want a personal style. Light inspires me.  The light in a restaurant, at a friend’s house, walking in the street ... This makes it easy for me to make photographs. It is also easy for me to disconnect and go some place else in my mind.

Thaipusam 3

The privilege of seeing and feeling things, capturing a moment in time. I see more beauty than is represented. I think that happens to everyone. But capturing that moment is very exciting and unique. The inspiration comes first, and then the question of how to represent them, often I am not successful. Ultimately, I try to capture a moment in time."

Thank you Leovi, that was a really interesting post on your early life and interests, and how you became what you are today! I think it's safe to say that your style is clearly recognized as Leovi's! Great stuff!

Don't miss out on a visit to 

Leovi's Abstract Photography Blog. 

You will not be disappointed!

What was your favourite image?

   

Zenith Hotel and SAS International Convention Centre

It's been a while since I blogged about the famous Zenith Hotel where I was privileged to be

•  taken on a tour of the developing hotel by the General Manager

• and later where we attended the New Years Eve buffet and official opening 

• enjoyed a wholesome food sampling session

• and finally were treated to a free one night stay by the General Manager

• February was the last time I took you into the SAS International Convention Centre (SASICC) which is attached to the Zenith Hotel

I must admit that those were good times indeed as I discovered that being a blogger can bring rich rewards! 

Last weekend there was a "perfectlivin" exhibition at the convention centre which I attended, if only to do some window shopping and snap a few pictures. I'm pleased to announce that the Zenith Hotel is almost completely finished with work going on on the 23rd and final floor. Here's how it looks:

There is lots of greenery lining the Zenith Hotel

Looking up the 23 floors of the Zenith Hotel

East Coast Mall, in the bottom right corner, has had a change of paint since the last time I was at Zenith Hotel and SASICC

Inside Zenith Hotel, the San Feng restaurant has opened it's doors on the first floor

A scene from the ground floor of the Zenith Hotel

Here are some of the highlights and images from the perfectlivin exhibition at the SASICC, which was covered over two floors.

I was attracted to this piece of Islamic art which portrays the 99 names of Allah (God), as found in the Holy Qur'an

The detail was beautiful

Aquariums

Garden landscaping

Plenty of taps!

My favourite thing to see was the lighting booths. Here are some real cool lights:

And here's an image from upstairs

Don't miss Fidelia's Friday tomorrow! Make sure to tune in . . . 

Lauren's Developing Talents

So Lauren is growing quickly and we are starting to see her talents which she is developing. First of all, she's pretty good in front of a camera - will she be a model???

Secondly, she's equally as good behind the lens. Here she is in action with the camera on Fidelia's hand phone - will she be a photographer???

She snaps dozens of pictures at a time - just like her daddy!

Thirdly, Lauren has been trying her hand at teaching. Frequently she asks me if she can teach my tuition class. Sometimes I permit her and she sits in my chair and tells my students what to do! Will she be a teacher???

Next up, Lauren was watching the swimming on the TV with us yesterday while she was having a nice warm bath. We heard her voice saying "Look at me" and this is what she was doing - will she be a swimmer???

Lauren has also taken quite a shine to sports, in particular tennis, and here in this picture, football - will she be a sports star???

Finally, Lauren really enjoys drawing and colouring, and her pictures have been progressing rather nicely over the last few months. Here's her latest drawing which she presented to me - will she be an artist???

What do you think she'll be?!

Kuantan Old Town

One sunny afternoon I took my Panasonic Lumix DMC-F2 and spent a couple of hours walking around Kuantan Old Town. This is a very old area of Kuantan, with aged buildings and a few pearls amongst the lines of shops covering the roads. I hope you enjoy this photographic tour of the old Kuantan, which I'm glad is still standing today, providing reminders of the past.

Jalan Mahkota, Kuantan

The distinctive building in Kuantan Old Town is still a sight today

A newly built restaurant at bottom with a hotel above

View of the TM building in Kuantan Old Town

A minaret of the Pahang State Mosque rises into the sky nearby

A view of Kompleks Mahkota

The Tourism Malaysia office on Jalan Mahkota. I picked up a number of useful brochures on my visit there.

Perspective shot looking down a row of shops at Kuantan Old Town

Interior of a ladies fabric shop

And another. Can you spot the human face in the picture?

My new friend from India who owns a material and carpet shop

Jalan Teruntum turns on to Jalan Mahkota in Kuantan Old Town

Looking down Jalan Mahkota, Kuantan, the police offices lie on the left of the picture

Footbridge across the main road

A neglected area in Kuantan Old Town

Not sure about the certain 'ambience' of this hotel!

The pigeons gather together outside the carpet shop

Don't look up!

Some other shops at Kuantan Old Town

After a while I found some art shops where local Malaysians are developing their skills in artistry, particularly painting. Here are the pictures:

A delicately beautiful piece depicting Lord Buddha

The people in this art studio were good enough to take pictures with me.

The painter in action

Waving goodbye to two more new friends in Kuantan Old Town

Another painter in an art gallery

Suraya and Kosma hotels opposite the post office, Jalan Mahkota, Kuantan Old Town.

While Kuantan develops and grows with new structures like the Zenith Hotel and East Coast Mall, it is a tasty contrast to still have the old buildings which shaped Kuantan's image.

KUANTAN BLOG TOUR: Onto the final stop of the tour. Anyone like waterfalls?