结束

明天开课了。校园短暂的清幽即将结束。学校不可能老是放假，开课才是常规，但我就是不正常。吵杂的校园，繁琐的职务，只会吞噬我的脑细胞。还得忍耐数个星期。

Today is the last day of the short term break; our campus will be back to its usual buzz and bustle very soon, like an orchestra of noise that goes haywire, as if the recent extremely hot weather is not torturing enough. How I’m going to miss the peace and serenity that filled every little corner of the campus in the past 2 weeks, with rays of morning sun quietly sieving through branches and leaves, caressing the emerald lawns where not a single soul of rowdy, unappreciative and insensitive teens is to be seen but only tiny grasshoppers and one or two occasional squirrels. I can forget about smooth traffic on my way to office, relaxing breakfast over a morning paper in the spacious canteen, and a library that is like a library.

PS: I can't help but keep wandering, is my stats counter painting a true picture? Are there really so many visitors hitting my blog everyday? Whoever you are, I hope whatever I've posted up here have done its part in making your day. Thanks for dropping by.

其实我挺怀疑，每天真的有那么多人点击我的部落格？谢谢你们的支持，希望我的作品，带给大家些许满足。

moonwalk

This picture was not drawn especially for what I'm going to write or for him. As a matter of fact, I've done it weeks ago as a trail piece with no intention to post or share, the roughness and sketchiness says it quite obviously. It is all pure coincident that I find it a suitable illustration to complement my thoughts at this moment. The dancing moves, the huge moon, the larger-than –life look and the background of a fairytale land, though at time of drawing I’d no story to it, but now it all seem to reflect that particular figure that created his Never-land. I’m never a frantic fan of his, not even an ordinary one. Of course, I’m aware of his existence and have heard of his songs and seen his dancing on MTV. Who doesn’t? The news of MJ’s death which I heard this morning did not shock me that much, instead it brought about a tinge of sadness for to me, it spells the gradual end of a generation, the generation that grew up in the 70s and 80s. It’s an indication that another piece of our youth is gone forever, vanished into the thin air, never to be retrieved. How much time have we left? Once we thought we had plenty, in fact we used to have so much of it that time was never an issue at all. But now, it seems time can just end anytime on us, we are no longer at the beginning of our journey, how much further will we go or can we travel, no one knows. Only time will decide.

到月球上漫步，在皎月下劲舞，当一切成了过往，才发觉青春已逝，时间如手中流沙，指缝间滴漏。小图是先前习作，本无意发表，然发觉与此时心情相符，尚可勉强可用之。今早听闻MJ猝死的消息，并无太大反应，仅有一丝忧伤。我非MJ歌迷，不为他痴狂，但在我成长岁月中，他是时代不可抹杀的代表。他的辞世，无形中意味一个时代的结束。我们这一代，离青春渐远，可挥霍的光阴无几。当我们必须认老时，那个过程是悄然而至的，不动声色就夺走青春；当我们还眷念曾经的流行时，那流行已流逝殆尽。我们被时间推着走，不知还可走多远多久；我们被时间推着走，真的是，蓦然回首早已白了头。

Garden

Let's prepare a garden, shall we?

A lovely little garden, with shady trees and pretty flowers

And carpeted with grass as soft as feathers

Let’s invite some butterflies and tiny beetles

Not forgetting those songbirds

Singing like angelic choir

I’ll prepare tea, or would you like coffee?

How about some freshly-baked breads and tasty pastries?

Once everything is ready, my friends

You’ll be the first to grace my garden

On a peaceful sunny afternoon

Upon my sincere invitation

1. 法国插画家柏德芳Marc Boutavant作品让人爱不释手，艳丽的色彩勾勒的角色天真烂漫，既有女孩的纤细，又不缺男孩的调皮，简直百看不厌，犹如奇娃娃，看在眼里就打从心里忍不住会心一笑。临摹他的风格草草完成这幅小图，只因他令我折服。插画家我欣赏的不少，但真正能让我惊艳的，没几个。
2. 搞艺术的或多或少都得要有一点的自负。要有傲，更要有骨。凡胎俗骨看不在眼里，但真正的上品，则要懂得鉴赏。缺乏傲气的艺术家，唯唯诺诺，最多只是个匠，缺乏灵魂，成不了仙。
3. 我写中文行云流水，容易进入逍遥之境。虽并非字字珠玑，但也颇具信心，毫无挂碍。书写英文，则是困难重重，往往如同隔靴搔痒，表达不够尽兴。正因如此，活到这个年纪，反而更想将英语驾驭。自小英语弱，信心备受打击，全为新加坡特殊政策环境使然，很是畸形。中文强是我本分，不足为奇；敢于挑战对英文长期的阴影，我视为当前的努力。
4. 在You-tube看台湾时事节目，以胡适、梁启超、林语堂等人20岁的关键期看历史，说：20岁的抱负决定未来人生的高度。我不大记得20岁自己在梦想什么？更不晓得今生要达到什么高度。快迈向40的人生，对务实的政府而言，已过巅峰；但对我而言，那才是开始。
5. 同样在You-tube看台湾纪录片，听到这样一句话：没有什么事是来不及做的。
6. 不久前备好portfolio与自荐信申请英国大学，课程教授一看到我的作品，二话不说立即入取，整个过程不过一个多星期；同一份portfolio寄交某发展局申请奖学金，却石沉大海。原来生我养我的这块土，非我伯乐。
7. 中四完成AEP后，志向转向中文发展，而今兜了一大圈，又回到美术追求。没有什么事是来不及做的，我两袖清风，现在就要去做了。
8. 9月，Cambridge School of Art， 我去寻找自己童书绘画的高度。

goes on

骨头硬了，弯不动身子

亮丽的棒棒糖是甜滋滋的回忆

就在不远处

却碰不着了

My friends asked had I gotten over with my anger and depression and I answered more or less yes. I would not say I do not harbour anymore negative feelings towards the unfair treatment but I am very sure my mood at this very moment is feeling more hopeful than hateful for I am still going forward after a meaningful purpose and nothing, even without the help of the authority, can dampen my spirit or put a stop to it. I was watching a Taiwan documentary on you-tube which featured the story of a certain young lady who, most unfortunately, suffered from very serious burn covering almost 70% of her body. Though she managed to escape death but for the past 3 years, she had to learn to live with her almost-fatal injury and permanent facial disfigurement, not to mention the collapse of a successful life she took years to build. She pulled through with lots of courage and of course optimism. There are people who dwell on negative thoughts once faced with setbacks, get themselves forever trapped and thus end their lives most likely in bleak sorrows. And there are others who are wise enough to accept reality and with acceptance they free themselves from the viscous cycle of endless suffering. There is no guarantee a smooth sailing in life for anyone, setbacks and reverses of different magnitude sadly to say are unavoidable. We can’t determine our fate but we can definitely alter our attitude towards life. I like the little story that lady related in the documentary. She said once her mother broke a cup and was brooding over such a trivial incident day in and out, so she told her mother: nothing is forever, all things has to come to an end eventually. Why become upset over a broken cup? It is not worth it at all to have one’s mood adversely affected by something so insignificant. In fact, nothing is of any significance so long you are able to let it go. To feel bad initially is natural, but allowing the bad feeling to cling on or worst, drag on for days and months and years would be quite foolish.

Life still goes on no matter what happens, and to be exact, in one definite direction and that is, forward. If we are to put it rather ominously, we are actually dying a little by a little every moment of our life, we age, and we deteriorate, and sooner or later we would reach a point whereby we would have to leave all things behind, be it glories, pride, regrets or agonies. As long as we are alive, we have to look forward; life is not that difficult, it’s just as simple as that.

火

满肚子火

但火了一阵子之后

又不火了

my friend said I was not shortlisted due to my age, it's pointless for the authority to spend time and money nurturing someone no longer in his twenties or early thirties. It make no sense from an investment point of view. Moreover the category I opt is not as high profile as animation or film making. Given my academic credential and creative talents, I see no reasons why I was not even given a chance for interview. If my friend was correct, then I could only say I'm utterly disgusted with the authority for its hidden agenda and different forms of discrimination.

我甚少表露自负

但我必须强调：我有条件自负

弃这等人才不顾，只能怪当局走宝

有关当局，目光如豆

ok, back to my normal self, no longer pissed off.

丧

Pisces feeds on depression. 

I'm depressed, sort of, and I think it's natural since I'm a pisces--I'm just more prone to mood indulgence that's all; I'll definitely get over it I know, just a matter of how soon. Drawing this little picture does help I suppose. A fish out of water, a rough sea, a helpless face. My unsettled feeling seems to get iron out with every stroke of the brush; just like meditation, drawing helps me to keep focus. A focused mind is what I need now.

沮丧，来袭。

我早已习惯自己时而莫名其妙的情绪低潮。仿佛脱水的鱼，咧嘴成了干尸。无助的脸孔，纵使有心搭救，亦是无能为力。天地汹涌暗潮。过于在乎，难免连带失落。更或是，我不服气的自负，让我难咽一口闷气。让心静，方能通明。草草画此小图，重拾自信，让心随每一笔的梳理，回归平静。

圈圈

一圈又一圈

无瑕童梦

趁妹妹入眠时

蔓延绽放

In the purest slumber land

all dreams twirl and swirl

and bloom and balloon

while she's asleep

维持学生网页的毕业生找我谈，问该如何刺激点击率。他们4人还得坚持一个多月，才能将棒子交托中国浸濡归来的三年级生。4人忙不过来，能做的有限，当然也有自己的想法。本来要求老师轮流给网页供稿。我自己的blog都已经甚少更新，要额外写新文字，确有些困难。无论如何，他们要我link他们的网页，那就请诸位有空，不妨多到ovb 坐坐吧！

抵御

冷

Aloof

亲

Approachable

——————————————————

I normally need much more time than others to warm up to strangers. I hate limelight and would rather dissolve secretively into some dark corners all by myself. To mingle around over tea reception is never my cup of tea, regardless of how heavy a tea-drinker I am. And due to the fact that I look intensely aloof when I don’t smile (well, I can’t be blame for I’m born that way), many find me unapproachable which I don’t really care in fact. However, once I’m warmed up to someone, that’s when my true colours shine. The publisher and the writer for the new book wanted me to create a guru figure that was more caring and approachable instead. So I just added a stroke to the original drawing to soften the aloofness. I think it works. A simple smile would do the trick; I take that as a truth.

中文系第二届学生今早毕业，典礼之后的招待会上，和学生们亲切合照。当时初到学院执教，由于和学生尚未混熟，总是不习惯合影，而偏偏年轻人特别喜欢照相，我一面对镜头就会不自然。我需要更多的时间来和生人亲近。这并不表示我不友善，纯粹性格问题。私底下，我还挺无聊搞笑的。我严肃的外表，只是方便我“抵御”不必要的搭讪，基本上我就是懒得应酬。

random

纷乱的柳在风中是捉摸不定的水袖，仿佛舞出，婆娑的真实

The dancing willows in random moves, tracing as if what the wind whispers, the universal truth

Wishing all a meaningfulVesak Day卫塞节快乐

sanity

在整整三十分钟里，他们没有任何言语交流。就是彼此默默坐着，靠得很近。

生命在静默中进行着。

静默，仿佛一首幽微的歌。

Sometimes it just seems so hard to write or to draw anymore, when the mood for anything aesthetic or delicate or tenuous or subtle is lost amidst all things mundane. That’s the dilemma we are facing, to live life or to live the life we want. When bread and butter can no longer satisfy and rationalise our very existence in this world, we naturally turn to other means to actualise ourselves. But the quest for self actualisation can never be done without bread and butter; it’s a luxury in most societies, especially ours, never a necessity. No one can stop you to be a dreamer, but you know very well, even dreams can only be weaved, in the most ironical sense, realistically.

I have not been able to keep my mind calm ever since the start of school term. A disturbed mind is like a pond wrinkled with troubled water, slashing reality into a reflection of chaotic fragments, sapping away my energy and hunger for any creative pursue. I dislike such feeling but unfortunately such is the way people like us have to live. But I know, if I do not force myself from time to time to reflect upon my inner thoughts through words or drawings, I will be lost forever in the labyrinth of reality, leading to the dead of one’s conscious mind. That’s the only way to preserve my sanity. 

forgotten

This is dedicated to anyone who still firmly cherishes the little kid in he or she, hibernating it might be but still alive and breathing at least, like baby breath or candle light, frail and forgotten. I was at a Picture Book seminar yesterday; one of the speakers Sally Rippin( an Australian Children’s Book writer/illustrator) did a wonderful job. It was inspirational listening to her and there is something in her speech that really strikes a chord. As a kid, we were great at expressing ourselves, we used to sing loudly, out of tune maybe but that did not stop us from enjoying singing; we used to dance wildly, for no particular reason most of the time, we just moved our body to the rhythm of happiness; we used to draw and scribble practically on any surfaces we could reach, be it the floor, the wall or the kitchen cabinet, we drew the sun, the star, the tree, the 5-petal flower and of course matchstick boy and girl, the whole world was then our drawing paper. We used to have endless burst of creativity, we were natural born artists in a way and no one could deny that. But strange enough, as we grew older, most of us just simply gave up the passport to creative freedom and stopped enjoying the fun. Why is this so? Have you ever asked yourself this question: why have I stopped drawing or singing or dancing or making handicrafts such as a birthday card like I used to? Does one have to be gifted in order to engage in such creative doing? I definitely do not think so. It’s not a question of whether you can but more whether you want to. We can all draw, that is something I strongly believe in. 

wind

Still no wind.        风在哪里？

我快热昏了。精力被蒸发了。灵感已没气了。创作的动力中断了。

手中的风筝，飞不起来。

again

I’m very Chinese at heart; I mean I would think, speak and write spontaneously in Chinese without doubt if given a chance. And I’m glad with that, in fact I’m glad that I have found at least one language for self-expression. Not all people have that. Many, though bilingual, but when comes to writing, found themselves lost with words. I might not be as expressive in English, but at least I try. Being Chinese at heart, I’m deeply influenced by Buddhist culture, thus I’m a believer in fate. Fate composes beautiful stories in life, especially at the most unexpected juncture; it springs wonderful surprises that warm one’s heart. I received an email this morning from a long-lost AEP classmate all the way from UK. For 20 odd years we have not met and never in my mind had I ever thought or tried to get in touch with him again. That’s the usual case; friends just come and go, like fleeting wind, vanishing into the thin air. Ironically, small Singapore might be physically, we are like specks of dust being blown aimlessly on this tiny plot of land, but the probability of us meeting again can be just as small or even smaller. If not for the application I’ve sent weeks ago and coincidentally that my friend happens to be at the exact institution I’m applying, we might not be getting in touch again at all for life.

This entry is for all whose life has crossed path with mine in one way or another; I might not have exactly known or met you before, but I’m sure we are predestined to be acquaintance. Thanks for sharing my passion and pursue in illustration all these while. And thanks to fate which has brought us all together on this little dreamland of mine farfaraway.

PS：the attached drawing is a trail digital collage I did earlier. Though not meant specifically for this blog entry, but it does subconciously depict my quest for a dreamland, maybe far far away.

小聚

星期天夜晚，和友人喝咖啡小聚归来，周末就这么过去。接连两天出席不同seminar。周六晨回校出席漫画与教学讲座，出席原因主要是协办商之一为wacom。我不画漫画，因为我没有一针见血的幽默喜感。选择走上illustration，只因绘制插图，可以贴近心绪，允许不言而喻的含蓄。一直在考虑更换使用两年多的wacom tablet，只是老拿不定主意，价格问题。到产品摊位一逛，心又动了。考虑了一晚，得知厂商在PS主办展卖会，今天一早就驱车赶往，与销售员详聊，最终决定购买。450元，当成为兴趣投资。之后下午往电力站支持好友金玉主持的分享会，听3名本地影视制片人的工作心得。我对电影行业是门外汉，旁听讲座，只当成与朋友小聚。

PS：图为本届毕业特刊内4幅插页中的其中一图。

Somewhere

I'm going to write this blog in English though I know very well I'll need time to warm up to that language, not that I lack in proficiency but just that, it’s not the language that I would naturally and spontaneously use to process my thoughts nor I’m most at ease with. I know with the launch of Drax, there have been readers who are more prone to the English language start browsing through my blog, and I think it’s just been fair to “cater” to their needs and to express my gratitude to their support by using the language they are most comfortable with.

I received an email the other day from a lady which really made my day; at least it makes me see that my effort so far, however small, has begun to reap positive results. That lady came across Drax in a bookstore and was at once “captivated” (do allow me to use such a word even if it may sound a bit boastful) by my illustrations. She claimed to be in her “middle-age” but still on the spot bought a copy for herself. I replied her stressing that picture-books were meant not just for kids. And I’m definitely glad that my illustrations, together with Christy’s writing, are appealing to readers of all ages! Don’t be shy if you are a grown-up to feel attracted by picture-books; they can be simple in stories but profound in meanings. And the truth is I can safely say that all picture-books were created by adults after all! I always believe there’s a young kid within each of us, a certain part of our soul that represents the truthfulness, purity and simplicity in lives, attributes that no one can live without right to the old-age.

Picture-book has enjoyed long history and much attention in many countries except Singapore. I think it’s about time we do something about it. Are we lacking good writers and illustrators; or the market to support such industry? Maybe, but we have to start somewhere anyway, do we not? Drax is Christy’s and Candid Kids’ initiative, I’m proud to be part of it. If Drax has brought about happiness, warmth and fulfilment to your live please help to spread such wonderful feelings among your friends or anyone you cared. With your support, we can definitely look forward to more picture-books on Drax!

PS: the attached picture is one of the illustrations I did for our students' grad book.

目送

因为那支大提琴曲，我不能自拔恋上石久讓Joe Hisaishi的音乐。

Departures，本地译为“入殓师”，但我更喜欢国外所用的“送行者——礼仪师的乐章”。喜欢目送所蕴含的百感交集，喜欢礼仪所意味的尊严庄重，还有乐章，怎可忘了乐章的重要性？看着银幕上本木雅宏饰演的小林大悟在辽阔的乡野拉奏石久讓的创作，我立即想起伊势英子的水彩画绘本“1000把大提琴的合奏”。为了画小图，找出了英子的作品，静静翻着一页页淡淡的铅笔线条水彩着色，这恐怕最能符合我概念中的日本文化特质了：淡雅轻盈，近乎透明近乎不着痕迹，轻轻地提起轻轻地放下，轻轻地来轻轻地去，轻轻地只剩下最简约的本质，the bare essential，就算华丽也只是素雅而毫不喧哗的华丽，如庭园中的枯山水，只剩细石凝结的岁月波痕；水都死了，化成寂静的枯石。

枯寂，就是日本文化的精神，处处渗透禅意。漫天樱花，这一刻灿烂，下一刻随风轻轻飞逝，生与死在刹那间交错飞舞，点点悲喜，几许庄重。

人生惟有去芜存菁，才能看到生命的本来面目。

我不谙乐器，没有音乐细胞。大悟在彷徨时，重拾尘封已久的大提琴，背对着壮阔的远山，面向着无垠的田野，在冬日的阳光下，风中拉奏安抚心绪的旋律。我疗伤只能靠画画，只能靠文字。精神与物质构成完整生命，若迷失于物质的追逐，丧失了心灵的灌溉，人已算是死了一大半。年轻人需要文学的熏陶，才能找到宣泄情感的语言；其实人这一辈子，都需要精神上的牵引，牵引回归人文，回归人的本质，找回自己的生命，自己的价值。从倥偬的虚华都市，回归缓慢的乡野故居，那是影片中的一种metaphor，一种去芜存菁的仪式。正如大悟在桥上，苦思不解三文鱼为何每年逆流而上，回归当初孵化的上游浅滩，就算换来是必然的死亡，也要坚持。这就是精神上不可放弃的回归。每天目送接踵而来陌生人的死亡，大悟本能地回归大提琴的救赎，通过艺术寄情移情的力量，取得心灵的平衡。

拉奏琴弦成了梳理人生迷乱的仪式。艺术一旦专注，就是个人心灵的宗教。

死亡，原来每天都在我们身边进行着，只是看似事不关己，我们选择漠视。该如何给孩子解释死亡，就像如何向他们谈性一样，总是难以启齿，不容易找到恰当的切入。在众多绘本的题材当中，死亡已逐渐成了主旋律。书架上横七竖八堆满的绘本，应不下50来本，其中谈及生死的佳作，为数不少。绘本中的死亡，虽也染着淡淡的忧伤，却不可怕，总不忘注入缕缕温情丝丝希望。生死别离难免让人悲恸。放纵流泪，是一种情感的宣泄，没什么不对没什么不好。哭就是一种释怀。就如大悟以轻柔细致且庄严尊重近乎神圣的仪式，为往生者更衣上装，打点遗容完美纳棺上路，就是帮家属静静地整理内心对死亡的恐惧与悲怆，将索乱的思绪随着仪式化的每一步骤，获得牵引，寻得方向，升华成对已故亲人最本质的爱，忘了误解，忘了分歧，忘了怨怒，忘了距离，只记起最根本的亲情，目送上路。

原来入殓礼仪也成了大悟精神上另一门艺术，完美地仿佛拉奏大提琴曲，净化自己更升华他人心灵。

绘本是文与图的结合，以不做高深的艺术形式，还原生命中为人淡忘的感动，启发小孩领会人文的可贵，潜移默化中建立心灵的归宿，为孩子将来的人生，铺一条疗伤救赎的路。

等了

空灵西湖，多少扁舟无声摆渡。寂寂寥寥烟雨寒风，载三五游人，满船因缘。

来到杭州，在开学典礼上，引了“百年修得同船渡”，那是最自然不过的。愿学生珍惜难得缘分，善用于浙江大学城市学院浸濡的机缘，认真学习。之后旁听第一堂课，通史讲师套我之语，另提了500年回眸换一次擦肩之说。释家因缘，禅门诗意，在婉约娟秀的江南，熏着水墨丹青的烟雨浪漫，微微沾湿了狮城学生青涩的感动，如宣纸上的一点淡墨，渐渐绽放缓缓化开，开成一朵懵懵懂懂隐隐约约的古典情思。

那是一种情感上美的启蒙。年轻就是需要诗文的熏陶，没了文学的滋润，满腔莫名的忧愁蠢蠢的浪漫，如何排遣如何宣泄？早春3月，杭州阴雨。料峭的学院，白色的玉兰与红色的山茶是阴霾中难得的春色。500年回眸不一定出自佛典，倒是诗人席慕容的“一棵开花的树”，注定要打动年少敏感的孤独。百年孤寂毕竟止于百年，东方言情，动辄前世今生百载千年；更有甚者，如汤显祖跨越生死樊篱，围绕牡丹亭旖旎春色萌芽的爱情，那超脱时间束缚摆脱生死纠缠的独特观念，是东方人方能领会的文化养分，成就席慕蓉笔下那棵在佛前求了500年的树，在那人必经的路痴心守候，用前世无数的期盼开成一树的花，只求在最美丽的时刻，与他偶遇。

活着，谁不痴？痴，到了一定程度，比孤寂更难释怀。

我想起美国Shel Silverstein 的经典绘本“The Giving Tree爱心树”。树喜欢上一个男孩，用落叶、枝干、果实、树阴带给男孩快乐。男孩成了男子，成了男人，成了老人，不断向树索取快乐，树也无怨无悔给予快乐。最后树只剩下老树墩，也要尽量挺直身子，让倦了的老人坐下歇息。And the tree was happy…这是书中一再出现的文字。

Shel画中的树，满足于无私的奉献无悔的给予；席慕蓉诗里的树，则是东方人对因缘心甘情愿的信念与坚守。东方人讲“修”，蕴含几多无以名状的清苦，等来的也许只是幽微而含蓄的无奈与落空。如此想来，谁又于心何忍，下回路经一株树、一朵花，不施与一刻全心全意的回眸？别忘了，它们或许皆守了500年，只盼来世换一回，灯火阑珊处那衣带渐宽终不悔的擦肩。

杭州某夜，冒着细雨寒风，看了“印象西湖”山水实景演出。一轮白月浮在湖面，一只白鹤悄然飞来，化成书生，撑一柄纸伞，打千年的典雅古韵信步踏来，每一微步一圈涟漪，随两旁烟柳墨影渺渺荡开，那是许仙，那是山伯，那也是手执柳条的柳梦梅。江南旖旎，西湖多情，孕育多少才子佳人的致死不渝？不知是山水成就了人情，抑或人情点染了山水？

或则是，一个缘字，成就了整个东方的文化情感。

不成比例的奉献，心甘情愿的苦修，没有所谓值或不值，就只有美丽而悲凉的痴。我想起韶关的那株香樟树，静静伫立南华禅寺450年。几年前的那一天，我来到树下，望着树身因岁月淘涤，都快化成坚硬的石。我悄悄抱着香樟树，也许这一瞬间的接触，树已等了450年。

日光

早春乍暖还寒，数周绵雨，今日放晴。

他跑到河畔细细草坪，享受难得和煦春光。

摊开笔记本，曝晒文思，灵感如惊蛰的虫鸣鸟语；

合上双眼，无限春影，在眼帘欢跃。

这回到杭州，不巧冷空气来袭，连续多日阴冷多雨。当天气终于转晴，只见学院宿舍的阳台，整齐划一挂满一张张棉被，蔚为奇观。春日暖了湿冷情绪，在学院河畔银绿色的草坪，有人放起风筝，有人结伴絮语，有人独自翻书；一丛丛花树开始抽叶吐蕊，小孩挣脱妈妈双手，在花树间笑着跑着，追逐雀鸟。

看似理所当然的日光，这一刻在众人眼里，可以这么可爱。

终于

终于！

苦等多时，我的第一本童书绘图作品出版了！

今早从出版社拿到成品时，可谓满心欢喜。印刷效果让人满意，文字排版下足心思。

希望所有支持阿果，支持本土创作的朋友，能到各大书局翻阅购买，同时也为作者Christy Lee-O'Loughlin表示鼓励！

童书作者还特地为此书设了网页，欢迎大家抽空浏览：

www.draxthedragon.com

喜欢这一版。

也喜欢这一版！

乱了

休息多日，没动画笔，一时间竟然不知该如何起笔：忘了自己风格。真的，画画感觉如同患上分裂症，配合感觉寻找画风，在童话与散文间拉扯跳跃，在写实与仙境里来回奔走，时而画给孩童，时而画给成人，时而画给自己，画着画着，都乱了。

很快的，又得投入另一本儿童书的创作，又得重新调整自己的笔触，找回笔尖该有的绚烂与快乐。在那之前，先完成这幅小图，帮马来西亚董总《中学生》月刊某篇散文配图。编辑特地找了我的一则旧作，说要类似的风格。我画不出那时的风格了，那时的心境已经过去了。

“到底我们都过了那个狂欢倒数的年龄，与其看烟花灿烂，不如看世事无常。”

这是散文中的一句。题为《下一个方格》，作者纵展。我以略微生疏的笔触，画友情，画成长，画这一句，尽量。