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Supporting local artists ...
Our August artist is Lim Chung. She has some great calligraphy and ink paintings. From the artist herself:
*"I was always astonished by the beauty of old houses and architectures around the world. I tried to capture them in a way that the “old” and “beauty” exist at the same time, at last, with my black and white brush stokes perception, and I am satisfied."*
BIO
Lim Chung was born to an artist family in Malaysia. When she started to learn calligraphy in elementary school, her works were always posted as a model to other students. She learnt to paint Chinese ink paintings from her father since she was a teenager. Continuing her hobby over the years she decided to pursue her long time passions in Chinese Calligraphy and ink paintings after working as a Professional Building Designer for almost ten years.
Currently, she teaches Chinese Calligraphy at Artists’ Alliance of Sugar Land, Chinese Community Center and Spring Branch Community Center, she also teaches ink painting class at Bear Creek Community Center and Spring Branch Education Center. She had conducted workshops at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) and at local libraries since 2005.
Her works had been collected by private collectors.
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Our June/July artist was the husband and wife team of Shek-Lun Man and May Man
Both Shek-Lun and May have won Salon competitions with their photography, a broad mix of landscape beauty, painting-like scenes, and everyday life. Amateur photographers, both, they take pride in their hobby and have traveled around in the world in search of the "perfect scene".
Shek-Lun and May are both natives of China, but made Hong Kong their home for 30+ years after World War II. They have resided in Houston since the late 1980s. They still have a sentiment for their homeland, and have been concerned about the recent earthquake that has claimed so many lives in China and have left hundreds of thousands homeless. Thus, they want to support donations to the relief in recovery effort in China. 50% of all proceeds from the sale of their photography this month will be donated to one of the major donor agencies for relief in China, the Mennonite Central Committee (funds will be dedicated to MCC's ""China emergency assistance"; see MCC.org for details)
Our March artist was simon roderick gentry, photographer
Artist Statement
"the camera is the tool - the light the paint - my eye the canvas. no matter what i shoot - it's all about light - the interruption of it - the dissection of it's inevitable capture."
Biography
the day i first held a camera was the day i came home.
my father shot everything, every holiday, school event - i can't remember a time indoors or out when he didn't have his camera. somehow i inherited his passion, his belief that time can be stopped and his pure love of the art that is photography.
today i make my living through this passion! i hope those who view my work feel a sense of my absolute belief that beauty, time and light can be caught - in essence stopping time.
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On exhibit for the month of February was returning artist Wendy Wight
Bio
Girl. Daughter. Granddaughter. Friend. Artist. Woman. Graduate. Wife. Daughter-in-law. Mother. Seeker. Chef. Financial Planner. Housekeeper. Story Teller. Personal Shopper. Animal Caretaker. Organizer. Referee. Handy Woman. Explorer. Laundress. Gardener. Listener. Community Builder. Time Manager. Chauffeur. Reader. Writer. Lover.
Artist Statement
In this world there is an idea highway. This is a freeway of thought that goes over the entire earth and the ideas are there for everyone. They are free. The creative highway is where my voice, muse and inspiration are derived. Most of my work is autobiographical in nature and a slice of my life at the time. Constraints, rules and assignments that I create for myself, give the work focus. Working in series allows me to repeat the idea in different formats and visual representations. My entire collection of paintings and sculptures is a visual representation of my life in this world thus far.
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On exhibit for the month of December is art from Dorothy Lam Wong
A recently retired psychologist, Dorothy took up photography because she enjoys capturing the beauty around her and sharing it with others. Dorothy sees beauty in simplicity and in the mundane. Her use of lighting and color bring out the ethereal and sensual qualities of her subjects. Her approach to photography is unique and personal, making her work appealing to many. Dorothy has primarily focused on Still Life and Flowers, but is beginning to explore other areas.
Dorothy's work has won several awards in both local and national competitions - the Photographic Society of America (2003), Houston Chinese Photographic Society (monthly and annual competitions), Beaumont Art League (2002) and the Texas Art Museum in Port arthur (2003). Her work has also been exhibited in numerous shows including Fotofest 2004, the annual Christmas Show for the 4W Consortium, the Annual Membership shows of both the Houston Center for Photography and the Houston Chinese Photographic Society, the Texas City Art Festival and Fotofest 2006. She has also had a solo show at Crossline Gallery in April of 2005.
The Breast Care Center at the Methodist Hospital has 40 of Dorothy's floral prints in their permanent collection. Dorothy's floral prints are currently exhibited as part of a show "Life in Bloom" at the Methodist Hospital.
See her website at photoworksbydorothy.com
---------------- On exhibit for the month of November was art from Ping Lau
Our November exhibition artist Ping Lau may be well known to many of you as the designer who created Paper Theatre, a line of unique art cards, sold at Té House of Tea and many museum stores, galleries and gift shops.
As a graphic designer, her creativity is not limited in commercial art, she created a body of works in oil paintings, monoprints, watercolor, collages, handbound journals and artist books. Many of her works became private collections.
Despite the diversity, her art is consistently moving from medium to medium with a minimalism in style, a whimsical touch and very contemporary in simplicity.
In this exhibition, she displays her early stage of oil paintings and along with the latest. Viewer can see how much the artist have transform in this medium.
---------------- On exhibit for the month of July was art from Christiane Waldron
Artist Statement
Since the early 1990s, my work has involved the creation of highly texturized and colorful artwork that conveys a message of joy and happiness. In 1994 I began doing abstract renditions of color on canvas. Painting and mixing color directly on canvas has now become a very prominent feature in my work and I continue to use the same technique and medium. In my work, I deconstruct color and try to mix with palette knife to convey various shapes and forms. A lot of hidden messages can be found in my work.
My work also addresses my international upbringing. Landscapes, sunsets and geometric shapes are forever present in my various compositions. I combine themes or nature, earth colors, suns and circles. I use thick layers of paint to embellish my art. The color red establishes a boldness that suggests passion and fire.
I usually work on several bodies of work concurrently. I also create several themes because I believe in diversifying my work. You will see many influences in my style and my taste changes with time. I let the art lover interpret my paintings. My goal is for the art to speak for itself. I want the art lover to have a love at first sight affair with a piece.
Some of the pieces that have been created for te house of tea are a reminder of the influence of the far east on our culture. I have spent several months in Japan a few years ago and I am impressed by the serenity of the Far East and the wisdom that the land holds.
My work will never be violent or oppressive; there is enough violence in the world already. The landscapes are a reminder of the Mediterranean beauty and the sea with its glory and power.
Biography
Christiane Waldron was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. She immigrated to Canada at the age of 18 to live and study engineering at the Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. She graduated with a degree in Chemical engineering in 1993 and went on to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Her specialty is building and starting chemical plants. In 2002 she emigrated to the United States. She now lives with her husband and twin girls in Houston. Since she was raised in the Mediterranean, she has a distinct penchant for strong colors and texture. Christiane lives with her family in Houston.
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On exhibit for the month of June was art from Dr. Sheng Kuan Chung
Dr. Sheng Kuan Chung was born to a working-class family in a small village in Taiwan. His parents were hard-working farmers who spent most of their life on the farm. As a child, helping his parents on the farm occupied most of Chung’s extracurricular and weekend activities. Chung’s interest in art was triggered in elementary school when he would copy pictures off of kitchen tiles, which gave him a certain inexplicable comfort. Chung discovered at that time the power of drawing, because it helped him gain self-confidence and communicate with the outside world. This realization motivated him to pursue his passion for art. Through drawing and painting, Chung was able to express his gratitude toward his parents and the place where he was raised, gratitude he could not have otherwise articulated. Dr. Chung teaches in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Houston, Texas.
His art exhibit at Té is titled "Aesthetics of De-habitualization":
Our daily lives are composed of innumerable and oft-repeated encounters with the world in which we live. These repeated encounters inevitably desensitize our perception of the environment and make us respond to the world in a habitualized manner. As a result, we become less conscious of the common phenomena that surround us. Indeed, we eventually become so habituated to the presence of the world, and so familiar with our encounters with that world, that we stop perceiving our surroundings with full sensitivity.
Russian critic Viktor Shklovsky draws a distinction between "automatized" and aesthetic forms of perception. He describes the acute unawareness of the familiar as an automatic state of habitualization. In other words, when our perception becomes habitualized, our responses become automatic. The outcome of this habitualization is to render us unconscious of our presence. Habitualization devours the ability of humans to sense and feel their full existence. Only through aesthetic forms of perception can we begin to perceive that which has become commonplace. Shklovsky emphasizes that “Art is a way of experiencing the artfulness of an object; the object is not important."
*“Aesthetics of De-habitualization”* is a floral series that reveals the aesthetic essence of the ordinary. This series captures the aesthetic power of everyday imagery to touch people at the deepest levels, thereby leading them to reflect upon and re-perceive their world. These paintings hope not only to provide viewers with aesthetic and spiritual comfort, but also to empower them to rediscover the sensation of life and re-experience objects of the everyday, in order to become more conscious of their full presence in the world.
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On exhibit for the month of May were exhilarating photographs from Edward Habgood
Edward Habgood a.k.a. Phototainable - Captured with passion to visually stimulate and challenge.
Not a native Texan, or American, Edward arrived from Great Britain across the ‘big pond’ during the summer of 2004.
Photography has been an essential part of his life since his early teen’s during which time he begged and borrowed family cameras to shot portraits, coastal scenes and studio macros. He learnt the art of patience in the darkroom developing his own work in black and white. As a geologist with his first camera, an Olympus OM1, he explored Chile capturing the incredible landscapes of The Salar De Atacama and high Andes with the vivid, saturated tones of color slide film.
However, a busy schedule in geoscience research meant that visits to the darkroom were limited and photography and his OM1 were relegated to a lower priority. All this changed with the advent of digital photography which provided Edward much greater accessibility to the full photographic process allowing him to regain total control of his work, bringing the darkroom to the desktop computer. In short digital photography has re-inspired Edward. This first exhibited series of work titled ‘Explore’ represents an exploration through the lens of The Greater Houston area and Gulf Coast. It captures the urban, the influence of Mother Nature on the city, and our winged friends who we share both the urban and the wild with. From bold cityscapes to the uniquely Houston, the challenge has been to interact with, and capture our everyday environment in a distinctly different way.
Edward has embraced the online world of Web 2.0 and has become an active member of the Houston Photobloggers community. He has frequently contributed to the Houstonist Flickr Photo Group and through 2006 was often Photo of the Day and one of 5 photobloggers to be credited with a 2006 Photo of the Year. Ventures into online competitions also saw him win Houstonist’s first photo competition.
While he enjoys his presence in the online world, 2007 represents a new phase in the journey to re-engage with the physical ‘terra’ world, growing connections ‘face to face’. It gives Edward great pleasure to know that his photographs can occupy physical spaces where they can visually stimulate people as they go about their day to day lives. Providing perhaps a stability and reassurance against the accelerated pace of today’s world. That in this place of rapidly changing graphic content competing for our attention, there can be a window of permanence, a scene from our world, frozen, motionless to reflect upon and ponder. Even take a journey into the window and into your mind.
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On exhibit for the month of April were photographs from Dr. Nguyen Thai.
Dr. Nguyen Thai is a well-respected physician in Houston. He devotes his free time for his serious hobby of photography. He specializes in using large format camera to capture the scenic photos of the great outdoor.
He travels to the Far East extensively, especially China and Vietnam, to take pictures of the most beautiful landscapes. He also enjoys the great nature and likes to explore the new frontier.
Dr. Thai has earned multiple awards from international photographic competitions and exhibitions. He is recognized by many photographic associations worldwide. The following is the listing of the recognitions he received.
Hon FHCPS, FHCPS, Hon FPSLA, Hon FPC, Hon FPAW, Hon FHKPCLA, Hon FPSNY, APSNY, Hon FICS, Hon FPCVH, Hon FPSC, PSA WHO’S WHO TOP TEN EXHIBITOR 1994.
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On exhibit for the month of March was art from Linda Walsh
The Landscapes of Water
At night, when one watches starlight rise through water, up from the deepest black rock crevices and caves at the bottom of a canyon lake, it might be possible to forget any concept of surfaces, any fixed orientation of heaven, to love immediately the inseparable differences between the dark soul of water, the thirsting redemption of light.
From “Going for Water and Light” By Pattiann Rogers
The surface of the water, like the skin of our bodies, divides the world. Within and below liquid currents move a world of life and matter. Looking into the water we see organic debris, animal remnants, fish, grasses, fallen leaves and branches.
On the surface of the water, that slimmest and most fragile of demarcations, lies debris from above, fallen leaves, feathers, petals and pollen that have floated on the air currents to alight, just barely and only for a short time, before going under or moving on again. The images reflected from the water, come from both above and below, and they constitute an extraordinary landscape that moves and shifts with the slightest breath of air, that changes color and shape by the minute, by the second.
Henry David Thoreau called water “earth’s eye.” If the eyes are windows to the soul, then lakes, ponds and bayous are surely the windows to earth’s soul.
When we look deeply into ourselves we see, not the social self, the one experienced more or less consistently by others, but that complex truer self below the social surface. In these acts of self-reflection, we look beyond the surface self to our unconscious motives and yearnings, to the source that sustains the part of us evidenced in the outer world.
So, too, the landscape reflected in water. It is not the static or slow-to- change landscape that we usually see. It is a deeper image, truer to the ever-changing aspects of our universe. The reflection is an image that suggests the basically liquid - the unknown, vital, sustaining, and fluid - aspects of nature.
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On exhibit for the month of February is art from Amy Sullivan:
My artwork reflects the inner peace drawn from living in the moment.
Landscape painting is my passion. In the sense, that it is both an obsession and an affliction. When I am outdoors, ‘plein air’ painting I am truly in my element, engaged in the process of painting. As cliché as this might sound, it is the only time in my life I find I can truly live in the moment. I am inspired not only by the beauty of a place, but also its spirit. I feel exhilarated by the sensory stimulation of sight, sound and smell when painting on site. Because nature offers an array of views and changing light, I feel challenged conceptually to make aesthetic choices that will evoke a sense of mystery and wonder. I want an aesthetic statement that initially lives as a beautiful image, but when closely examined, reveals a deeper spiritual meaning.
- Nothing is less real than realism... It is only by selection, by elimination, by emphasis that we get at the real meaning of things.
- Georgia O’Keeffe
I have always been partial to using oil paints and pastels when working outdoors. These two mediums allow me the greatest freedom in my work. I can go in and rework areas quickly with oils because they don’t dry as quickly as acrylics, allowing me to initially set down in paint what I see and want to convey. Using pastels allows me to blend my colors and create scenes that are somewhat abstract in their quality. I am often challenged by the changing light and atmosphere while painting a scene and will take photographs to capture the initial conditions I started with. I will then finish a painting in my studio using the photographs as a reference, always aware of the elements that drew me to a scene compositionally and working to maintain the original spontaneity of the initial brushstrokes and sketched lines. I have worked exclusively from photographs of places that are environmentally difficult to paint in. At these times I spend more time working on the psychological aspects of what I’m trying to convey. I experiment with color and the abstraction of shapes to create a mood of reverence for the place I am painting.
While living in Houston, my ability to paint outdoors has been limited to urban scenes. Unfortunately, this does not bring the same satisfaction that painting in rural areas does. For this reason, I have been taking classes at the Glassell School of Art, in printmaking and collage, as well as revisiting the figure in life drawing. Because my first training was very academic and traditional, studying at Glassell has given me the opportunity to experiment with different ideas and processes I wasn’t able to before. Right now my work does not have one specific, clearly defined direction. I am able to move between representation, abstraction and narrative, using a variety of mediums. I prefer not to be limited or restricted by a need to create a consistent body of work or an allegiance to any particular style at this time. In the future, I see myself painting landscapes again. I miss it very much. My future landscapes will reflect this time of experimentation and growth, revealing new aspects of myself and my relationship to the environment I live in.
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On exhibit for the month of January is art from Jody and Rosanna Worthington.
Scenes from South-East Asia: Helping the Green Gecko Project
We, sisters Jody and Rosanna Worthington, took these photographs while traveling in Thailand and Cambodia over the summer of 2006. We found our trip to be full of paradoxes—breathtaking scenery and welcoming smiles interrupted by an unprecedented level of destitution resulting from natural and political disasters. Although we are by no means “trained” photographers, we feel that the natural beauty of the landscapes and vibrant local personalities shine through in these shots.
The Thai island of Ko Phi Phi was devastated by the 2004 tsunami, but loyal residents—both Thais and Europeans—have returned to rebuild. The Thai government hopes to promote tourism by constructing resorts and shopping malls, while European backpackers who have settled alongside local fishermen for the past 20 years vocally lament the erosion of their “hidden paradise.” For now, the pristine beaches and stunning limestone cliffs are not eclipsed by overcrowding and commercialism. We enjoyed rising early to watch locals play soccer on the beach and wave to children riding their bikes to school.
All donations and proceeds from the sale of the photographs will go directly to the Green Gecko Project, which provides daily meals, showers, English lessons, vocational training, and a safe refuge for street children in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap.
Though a developing tourist location, Siem Reap is still recovering from Khmer Rouge rule. Children commonly support their entire family by begging. The Green Gecko Project empowers children and allows them to just be kids for several hours of the day. Additionally, Green Gecko has recently established a micro-credit program through which parents receive loans if they agree to send their children to school. Donations will be sent via bank transfer to the organization’s account in Cambodia; all banking practices are transparent and we would be happy to update you on how your money is distributed.
Jody and Rosanna have both worked at Te House of Tea for eight months. Jody is also a professional freelance graphic designer and Art Director for Cuizine Houston. Rosanna studies Anthropology and Asian Studies at Rice University and plans to work with refugees upon graduating.
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On exhibit from December 1st was art from Shannon Duncan.
(Re)Collection
The everyday subject is considered mundane because it is neither particularly beautiful nor memorable. My work re-views these subjects as sought-after members of a collection, giving them an innovative value. By placing focus on these extra-ordinary subjects, the viewer is challenged and left questioning what their significance may be. The displayed images are representations of two larger bodies of work: Street Furniture and Table Numbers. Each series is a visual collection of disregarded subjects. Street Furniture depicts human receptacles that have been abandoned by their owners. Table Numbers is an ongoing project that will be complete when the numbers 1-100 have been collected. The significance in each series is the value of absence. It is my desire - through approaching series such as these - to restore the importance of the mundane, disregarded subject.
Artist Bio
Shannon Duncan, originally of LaGrange, Georgia, is currently in her final year of graduate school in Photography/Digital Media at the University of Houston. For the past two years, she has been an instructor of record for the Fundamentals of Photography at the University of Houston. In addition, she has taught Fundamentals of Photography workshops at Houston Center of Photography. Prior to moving to Houston in August of 2004, Duncan attended Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia where she received Bachelor Degrees in both Art and Sociology. Having not taken a break from school since the age of 4, it is easy to see why at the age of 24 the artists foresees herself on the teaching side of the classroom when she completes her degree in May 2007. Since the beginning of her graduate career, Duncan has shown her work in various locations in Houston. Most recently, her work was part of a one-night-only show at Catbird’s Lounge and Patio simply entitled The Photo Show. Prior to that, her work was in two separate shows at the Commerce Street Artist Warehouse – Summer Sucks and Vitrine/Ravine. Her work has also been displayed at the past two Student Exhibitions at the University of Houston as well as a graduate group show entitled 202C at Hungry’s Bistro. Duncan’s next planned show will be the Senior Thesis Exhibition in April of 2007.
View some samples of the exhibit:
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On exhibit last month, from November 1st, is art from Kristy Canahauti.
Artist’s Statement
“In Bloom” is a collection of work that is symbolic of my growth into an artist with confidence, motivation, and purpose. This is the second time I have shown my work to the public, which is mostly exciting, but terrifying as well, for I am exposing my innermost thoughts and emotions for all to see. I feel as though doing this has afforded me a sense of freedom and ease that had been absent, where I am now able value my work and let go of certain fears and insecurities I had before.
I am an abstract expressionist, whose paintings show a range of style and influence. I almost always paint out of my subconscious, realizing that the most organic way for me to create is to allow my innate motivations and desires to guide my hands through the process. In this, my work renders the mood and feelings I have at that moment, and provides me release for my emotions. I translate different aspects of my personality in my creations, although, collectively and individually, they stand as pieces of me, not the whole.
I aim at creating art that is both aesthetically pleasing, and that which provides feelings of soothing and calm to myself, and its viewers. Though I have strong feelings as to the meaning of each piece I create, my desire is for people to develop their own truth and insight when they view them, for I believe all understandings to be valuable.
I love all color, and usually blend both warm and cool colors together, seeing this as symbolic for my thoughts on the balance of the dark and bright sides of my personality, and life in general. I gain inspiration from countless sources, but I attribute most of it to my family and friends, who provide me with the strength and love I need in order to grow and thrive.
Artist’s Bio
Kristy Canahuati was born and raised in Houston, Texas and has remained there thus far. Though she took one painting class at Houston Community College in 2000, she remains a self-taught artist who discovers new styles and ideas through her own experience.
Right now, Kristy attends the University of Houston, focusing on a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, and a minor in Psychology. Upon receiving her degree, she plans on attending graduate school in order to study clinical therapy or social work, eventually obtaining her license as a professional counselor. She would like to work with both children and adults, and will inevitably incorporate art into her therapy for she feels it allows individuals to express, and connect with, where no words or rules are necessary.
Kristy has shown her work at the Rotunda Gallery in St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, as well as at a fundraising event for Cancer Counseling of Houston. She has donated her painting, “Field of Heaven,” to Cancer Counseling of Houston’s annual gala/auction in honor of her mom, Carolyn Jean Canahuati. During the months of November and December, her painting “Unveil the Petals” will be displayed at the 2006 Lilly Oncology on Canvas exhibition in London and New York City, alongside those of other artists and individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer.
In the spring of 2007, Kristy’s painting “Patchwork #2 – Him,” will be on the cover of the brochure for the Patient and Caregiver Conference held by Cancer Counseling of Houston.
View some samples of the exhibit:
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If you are an artist interested in exhibiting at the House of Tea, contact Connie Lacobie at info@tehouseoftea.com, or call 713.522.8868.
