LA 1st Story Draft

Art. It seems like a simple 3-letters word. But for me it represents my life. For me it's a word that express a lot of wonderment and where imagines and dreams came to live. It's a place where we could inter connect almost everything and bond them together to present on that platform. It is an energy boost and my source of life, where I seek happiness and express my inner feelings and imaginations. It is a stage for me to display my thoughts and ideas to everyone. 21^st of February 1997, is the time when the “egg” of art was hatched and brought to life. The “hatchling” eyes were sparkling with amazement of the world he was at, a journey of the “art life” then began.

At the age of four, I was still staying at home as always playing with my only boring and unattractive toys, just tried to consume my time as much. At that particular stage, I was lonely and I had no partner to share my happiness, wearies and all sorts of feelings. I was just on my own, filling secrets and thoughts in my heart, sealed from the outside world. I had brothers but they were not willing to play with me as they had proceeded to a youth stage or perhaps the “school boy” stage. Darkness was my only companion ,hiding me from the truth of life. I sat at a corner, glancing at the world outside me, wishing a light would shine at my paths, bringing me happiness and wonderment. Finally one day, my hopes had brought me to an end. That day, my parents introduced art into my life and that’s when my life was completely changed.

I was sent to an art class situated not a long distant from my house. My parents did this because they notice my lonely presence so they decided to let me go for a try in the art lesson. At the class, there were different age of students maximum reached to seventeen. I could consider as the youngest in the class. In fact, I was the only youngest in the class with my two brothers. Stepped in the class was as same as stepping into an art gallery displaying art works of different mediums used. I was amazed and started to find my interest in art.

On the first lesson, I was taught of some basics and asked to colour a picture of fruits with crayon. It was actually a test of skills to determine the students ability and strength or weakness in certain areas, as well as gives the teacher a brief idea on how he should guide us and that's how my teacher taught me exactly. Before starting to apply the colours , I first imagine of the fruits’ colours and textures, and so I started and finished the piece of drawing. As I was small, I really did not expect any complimentary from anyone. I was just did it with passion and importantly enjoy the experience of finishing an artwork. After the completion, my teacher take a look and said: “Not bad! Just manage carefully with your toning, they are a little off the track.”. At that age, I obviously did not understand my teacher’s comments. But now, I knew he was giving a starting motivation to me. It was like the sounds and cheers on the track field, motivating the athletes to perform better. I was happy and from that time onwards, I started to concentrate more on lessons to keep honing my skills.

Under my teacher’s teachings of five years which I was then nine years old, my skills had reached the level of a thirteen years old boy. I could colour a beautiful and magnificent picture and sketch perfectly. I could also even sketch a portrait seventy percent alike which considered a very good achievement for me. Despite so, for so many years my teachers did not even use a superlative to describe my works, at most “not bad” or “Ok”. Although saying so that teacher wanted me to keep improving but I felt that the willpower of keep going on improving and improving was fading and the burning passion in my heart was weakening down. I felt that I was lacking something and it was like anything I do was ignored by people and was not significant at all.

Annually, an inter competition was held for all students taught by my teacher, on that day everyone would gather together and present an artwork on live at a specific location. We were given limited time and topics are set according to age. Every year, I would participate and got first prize at the end. Of course my family was proud and celebrate my victory with joy and congratulated me during it. Me too was happy and proud of my achievements. Until one year, which was when I reached ten years old. That year’s competition was my greatest downfall, I got consolation prize. It hit me when the teacher announced my position, my mind went blank like my head was hit by a coconut. The reality of losing in a competition and the pain inflicted to me was unbearable as if my last bit of life was drained away. I cried. I cried in front of the audience, tears dripping out of my eyes. The crowd was in silence, hundreds pair of eyes locking on me, I grabbed my prize and rushed out of the location which was at the McDonalds. I found a dark corner and sat down weeping, I tried to control my emotions but it just burst out, uncontrollable. Tears and tears on the floor drenching my pants too. Five minutes later, my teacher found me, he approached me slowly looking me with sympathy and sat beside me. The first thing he asked, “Why were you upset?”. I cried even more. He examined me awhile and said, “Jun Neng, life is unstable at all times, sometimes it can be very good, sometimes it can be very bad. We must be prepared for all odds in our way. We must learn to accept things the way they are, this is the principle of life. I know that you are upset of your results, but have you think of what is the purpose of you creating an art piece, is it for me and your family? Or is it for you in the way that you loved art. Most of the people who learn art is for the sake of results and names they possess and this is what misleads the journey of an art learner every time. Performing an art piece is not just about results, but is the journey and experiences from it. Learning art can be fun if you just think of drawing things you like, but what about learning art while thinking of getting the first in all areas?”

That day, my teacher woke me up from my unconsciousness, I finally knew what was learning art about, and from that onwards I face art with a smile on my face. I did not matter the prettiness of it but just did it and enjoy it as much as I liked. With my views and aims changed, I also did not forget to continue improving as much. And so after, I of course took part in various competitions and won as well but I always bear in mind that position was not important. I also joined AEP in Hwa Chong secondary school and not forgetting to enjoy the journey of art. The conflict within me and my teacher’s advice changed my life completely and until now, I continue to perform well in art in school.

Art is my life.

Mok Jun Neng 26 2o2