Day 1 - Work to Do

College was exciting and anticipating today. We were waiting for our brief to be given to us and further instruction on our final major project. The topic is symbiosis but it is only as a guide line and nobody should have a single word of that on the brief that we are going to write for our project that will be handed in to the invigilator.

I had some ideas that was in the back of my mind as I was dreaming and thinking of the topics that I chance upon a few weeks ahead. For the whole second intake, I was in a limbo and delusion of where I was heading to. I was learning something but I couldn't see the excitement while I was doing to it. Perhaps I became bored and feel a little down of not knowing where I am going in this art industry. I made so many mistakes in not putting more effort in my work, which led me to a referral. I need to do more research and not just base on my own idea if I wanted to become a good illustrator and art practitioner. Now I began to compare my life with my other friends, Christians and non-Christians. I realise, I need to motivate myself because even the bible asked us to be good stewards and to excel in all that we do. Not having a goal is simply wasting my life away. I rather make small impacts than noting at all.

My ideas came about when talking to a botanist in church who works in Kew gardens. She often inspires me with interesting demonstration of the science experiments on fruits and tells me about her research project working in Kew Gardens.


I am inspired by the comments and feedback I've received from a university interview. It was rather heart breaking, but I am grateful being told the truth so that I may change. I am happy I was told I had more fine art work than illustration, that, I need to do more research on illustration. I need to communicate the concept to the viewer and not just merely what I like, what I think is nice. Therefore, for my final major project I want to communicate a concept well to my viewers, and I want to be consistent in findings and research. I want to have done my homework.


For the Final Major Project, my broad subject is Kew Gardens. I wanted to narrow down the project to something achievable and realistic. For this project, I intend to illustrate a book, design a website and make an animation. I have spoken to Richard, who gave me some ideas. He gave some suggestions such as an illustration on Kew Garden's History, designing leaflet and brochure, and guided tour map, etc. I plan to do my research on this given suggestion on Saturday.


For this project, I have also spoken to Karen. The suggested subject I could research on is a botanist illustrator Haacke. She also introduced me to a movie called spirited away. Although I have watched that animation before I would want to watch it again. To gain a different understanding and seeing it from an art student and having nature (Kew Gardens) in my mind. I also got a write up on the film. . I don't find the write up exactly useful except to know some critical writing style.


Some of the incident is poorly explained because it was written by an American, who knew very minimal of Asian culture. Therefore, it was merely guessing game for her, but I did enjoy reading it. From the movie, I realize the only major thing that I have to learn is being inspired to make animation.

That is it for now. My new checklist would be finishing some referral work and continue my research on Kew Garden's history, and the botanist (haacke) Karen introduced. I also would like to make a visit to Kew Gardens on Monday. I want to do some research before hand before going there. Also, I need to go to Ealing Broadway to buy a sketch book.

God please continue to show me the way.

in Jesus name, Amen