Like this how?

The past few weeks, I have been really out of my game. I don't feel like doing work, I'm gettting lazy,  I procrastinate. Everytime, I attempt to complete my assignments, I get a creative block, I don't know how to move on, I don't know how to move pass the creative block. With each passing hour, I'm getting stressed out with the amount of uncompleted assignments. As the assignments are ever piling up. I used to invest a good 4-5 hours or at most 7 hours at a assignment at one sitting. But this week, I can't even focus for an hour. I'm doing minimal work each day, slowing inching forward to completion. Class starts in few hours time, and my assignment is not even ready yet and yet I have other assignment to attend to. I'm doing last minute work. I need an creative breakthrough. 

It's not about eating, it's about using the food to deal with anxiety and stress. Eating to take my mind off the assignments, have a break. Eating good food cures me, it sustains and uplift me. Sleeping is a form of escapism. I want to run away from all the stress and just sleep it off. I do not want anything to do with all these stress and just turn away from it. But it doesn't work out this way, assignment will still be left undone, and hours will passed. 

It's not about eating, it's about using the food to deal with anxiety and stress.

How to beat a creative block?
Tap into your unconciousness. Get it down on paper. Always carry a sketchbook. Don't be afraid to step away. Finish what you've started. Put some fun in your studio. Dont retread your steps. Look in unlikely places. Expect the unexpected. Explore other creative disciplines. Expand your mind. Go against the flow. Take notes on life. Grab some 'you time'. Don't be bound by the design brief. Broaden the horizons. Push the boundaries. Get a fresh perspective. Sleep on it when you can. Shake up the surrondings. 


20 tips taken from this website
http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design-tips/20-expert-tips-to-beat-creative-block-123523

Printmaking Workshop

This is my first hands-on experience at a printmaking workshop. I have heard stories about it, I have seen what it can produce. I have yet to witness the entire process in making one much less the experience in making one for myself.

Even though this is a short span of 3 hours induction workshop it really got my friends and I excited. We have learn about the different tools and equipment that goes around making a print.

With a first hand experience of making a silk print. I have now learn quite a bit on what goes into a print. The different and various steps and processes that goes into it as well.

Yes printmaking may seem fun at first but really tedious when really creating our very own print. But how can I push the limits and boundaries of printmaking/silk printing so that the print will be different from the rest. A cut above the rest. Nothing that is ever seen before. It takes a creative genius to be able to do this. But it could happen to students as well, couldn't it? 

Process of silkprinting

Silkscreen print on the drying racks

Manual Press

Working on a hydraulic press

Work by a final year student

Breaking the rules

Banksy, a satirical street artist. Little is known about this street artist as he remains to stay silent about his true identity. As he led a secretive lifestyle, his real name, age and place of birth remains a mystery to many. Many speculation have said that Banksy might be a lady or a team of seven artist. Due to the nature of his artwork, we know full well why the artist want to stay silent about his identity in fear of getting arrested for vandalism.

Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. - Banksy

What does this quote even means?  Does this mean it the art can and should liberate the poor and oppress the rich? As the artist artwork always focus on political and social theme. To the politian viewing the graffiti, does it disturb the politician audience. Is hidden truth or values being brought out or being exposed that might disturb his conscience. Or to a normal civilian that view the same artpiece that in some ways comforts them knowing that someone is trying to make a difference.

Enough of words, here are some images of Banksy artwork. 

    Banksy Naplam Print

    Stealing one of the rings of the olympic logo

 "Rage" the flower thrower by banksy

  Graffitti outside a stripclub

Let's Brainstorm

Brainstorming is finding solutions or a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by it an individual or group members.

Brainstorming is a technique use to generate new ideas, new solutions to problems often done in small groups. It's better to have five brains thinking and coming out of a new idea and/or solution than one brain could. With the combined forces of all the five brainpower. Creativity and problem-solving skills are multiplied by five. We are able to harness the full creativity and wisdom each brain has to work on a specific problem. I think brainstorm in a group is effective when it's done correctly, when everyone is open-minded to share and no judgement is being passed.   

Our group is being tasked to think on 101 Ways on how to wear a shirt. Overtime, interesting ideas have surfaced up such as by cutting holes in the shirt, rolling a shirt into a bra, wearing it as a cape, using it as a neck scarf or even wearing it as a bandana or turban. Of course it's hard to come out with 101 ways, but if we put our heads in and all our mental energy in it, it then can be done. But then, due to the different female distraction on the screen and a hungry stomach, we weren't able to fully utilised all our mental energy and brainpower. We have came out with a mind map to list down all the possible ways in which we can wear a shirt. 

 Photo taken by author

An hour Journey

Destination NAFA

Home 8am
Writing this post in the midst of heading to school. Morning train crowds are the worse because it is when you realise you are being packed like sardines in a giant tin can.

Yishun 8:20am
Normally, I would wear my earpiece but for this journey  I've made it an exception to removed my earpiece. Doing this will somehow heightened my sense of awareness.

Yio Chu Kang 8:31am
Different range of exotic smells my nose have picked up and it cause me to turn away but there is no space to move. Stop pushing me dude. Nanyang Polytechnic students have alighted the train. More breathable space here.

Ang Mo Kio 08:33am
Everyone is either on a  earpiece, watching drama on the phone or just reading a book. I've writing this post down. Some are just staring at the blank space. I feel this is going to be a long journey ahead. Damn, how I hate the morning train crowds. How I wish I had a motorcycle to ride to school. It would be a breeze.

Bishan 8:36am
Staring out of the train window into the pitch black darkness of the tunnel. Oh, more people have left the train but even more is added. Staring into the darkness has cause me to reflect as I see my own reflection on the glass panel. How's my hair? Is my shirt straight?


Braddell 8:39am
Reflection questions I ponder.
Why did I choose NAFA as my school of choice? I guess it would be a mystery I would have to find out. Fast. I need to find my purpose here in NAFA. I CAN'T SCREW IT UP. I JUST CAN'T. I CAN'T AFFORD TO.

Toa Payoh 8:42am
Sudden Realisation, if you have been following me closely. You would realise that I AM LATE FOR MY 9AM CLASS! It's non excusable that I should be late for class due to me missing multiple trains. Reminder to self, try to leave house earlier next time. I have few stops left ahead of me.

Newton 8:46am
One of my biggest fears is going to school on a crowded train with a completely done up 3D artwork. I scared people will squashed my model with their clumsy bodies breaking it or breaking the form of the sculpture. Or my 3D artwork is so huge that it become a annoyances in the crowded train. That's why I try to make my models small enough to be portable. I don't have the luxury of putting in a car and have my dad driving me down.

Somerset 8:50am
10mins to class start.
It's so hot in the train. The air is being so stale and my stomach is feeling funny.

Dhoby Ghaut 8:53am
Finally my stop, able to get a breather now. Hopping that the circle line train towards Bras Basah is waiting for me as well. Just nice. Train reach when I reach too. I'm liking this feeling.

Closing thoughts
I find this activity has cause me to be more aware of my surrounding and not towards my phone or listening to my songs. We need to look around, not stare at other people phones. Don't be so kaypo. Have cause me think more and process my thoughts. Using all this senses, looking around at people or outside the train and, smelling the sweat of another pits, accidentally brushing my arm against someone else. Hearing the conversation of my fellow commuters is able to cause me to think creatively.

Destination reached 8:59am