Happy New Year, my friends!
How would you describe 2019 with one word followed
by another intended for 2020?
[ Change, 2019 ]
2019 caught me off guard by becoming the year of change.
The first half of the year was filled with fear, loss, and uncertainty.
I had a hard time finding my way on shifting grounds to stay the course.
As the space around was in flux,
I learned to trust my wisdom and listen to her whispers -
we must change... in order to grow.
[ Growth, 2020 ]
I want to continue to grow in 2020.
Thankfully, I got a head start in 2019.
Here are some highlights with wisdom by Rumi:
[ Old Masters Anew ]
"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." - Rumi
Hello Kitty, the Patron Saint of Cute turned 45 years old in 2019.
With an invitation to participate in her official anniversary exhibition,
I gave myself the task to paint like an old master from 17th century, Japan -
Ito Jakuchu.
Learning how to paint from a 300-year-old master in Nihonga,
traditional Japanese art was painfully satisfying.
I felt like a young surgeon in anatomy class dissecting his paintings
into small pieces to understand the intricate design in his brushwork.
I learned the biggest challenge lies not in technique,
but in capturing the Qi (energy) in a painting.
I was reminded the practice of breath work and being still
continues to be a big part of the pleasure of painting.
'Hello Kitty Kannon, Goddess of Mercy and Wisdom'
24W x 48H" on wood by Martin Hsu.
Corey Helford Gallery, LA. 2019.
- - - - -
[ Nature Called. I Answered. ]
"Respond to every call that excites your spirit." - Rumi
and naturalist making art in the contemporary world.
I created delicate paintings of urban wildlife with indigenous plants
to examine the precarious future of the natural world by
showing her beauty, wisdom, and delights.
I hope to make Sir David Attenborough proud.
Prophecy of Nature, new works by Martin Hsu.
Luna Rienne Gallery, SF. 2019.
- - - - -
[ Mission Loving-Kindness ]
"Whatever lifts the corners of your mouth, trust that." - Rumi
My ongoing mission to unleash the power of loving-kindness onto humanity
through art gave birth to Metta, a small book with a big heart.
An intimate collection of wisdom by Rumi and artwork by Martin Hsu.
Let's inspire compassion and talk about kindness, shall we?
- - - - -
[ Asian-American Pride ]
"We carry inside us the wonders we seek outside us." - Rumi
In 2019,
Dragon Boy and I had the honor of being featured as
representatives in the arts in the Asian-American community-
including the Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
celebration, the office of CA Senator Scott Weiner, and at the
annual Asian Pacific Fund silent auction gala.
Dragon Boy and I are tremendously proud to be recognized!
- - - - -
[ Do The Art Hustle ]
"Shine like the whole universe is yours." - Rumi
San Diego, Seattle, Denver, New York, SF, LA
are just a few places I traveled to to set up shop in 2019.
Including conventions, pop-up shops, book signings,
and a month-long Artist In Residence at Disney's
WonderGround Gallery by Disneyland.
15 years of exhibiting at conventions feels exhausting,
but life-long fans and friends make it all worth it.
- - - - -
[ Wisdom ]
"This moment is all there is." - Rumi
Let's change by exploring the unknown.
Let's nourish happiness by showering it with self-love.
Let's trust our wisdom and grow.
Thank you for sharing this moment with me.
I look forward to seeing you in 2020.
With love,
Martin
