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This is a collection of sights, creations, experiences and reflections. Tune in if you're curious and keep an open-mind. If you've got any questions or feedback, please contact me by email at gaoyide.connect@outlook.com


2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 🦁


31/12/20

🔥


chineasy-cal

Chineasy day-to-day calendar.

I bought this calendar online in preparation for next year but I didn't realise it is for 2020. After another search I can't see a version for 2021. I'd rather not waste it so I'm going to use it for daily character practice anyway.


31/12/20

The art of paper folding

orical1orical36orical37orical38

I've reached the end of the Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of December.

The scolli pig by Sok Song was challenging and I haven't completed it yet.

My favourite is the pine tree.


27/12/20

🖊️


brushpen

A thoughtful gift.

These brush pens will be useful for character writing throughout 2021.


26/12/20

💬


wechat

Addressing my WeChat connections.

I'm experiencing some technical difficulties so unfortunately I won't be able to see any of your Moments or post any until the issue is resolved.

Thank you for your understanding.


26/12/20

Finish 🖊️


inktober52-1inktober52-2

Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)

www.inktober.com

Lots of opportunities for thinking outside of the box. The most challenging prompts were drill, outpost and yawn.

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


26/12/20

🖊️


inktober7

Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)

www.inktober.com

Week 45 - 52: satellite, hurt, ladder, yawn, book, yeti, trumpet, gift

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


25/12/20

🖊️


inktober-gift

Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)

www.inktober.com

Week 52: gift

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


25/12/20

0.0%


beer-2020

It is Christmas afterall.


24/12/20

🎄


xmas7xmas8

Festive celebration with a kind, welcoming family.


24/12/20

🌈


rainbow-flag

Lockdown Light


23/12/20

❤️


love-bird

🐦


22/12/20

🔴


rudolph

🦌


21/12/20

🌈


rainbow-christmastree1rainbow-christmastree2rainbow-christmastree3rainbow-christmastree4/>
<p class=🎄


21/12/20

🌈


rainbow-santa

Lockdown Light


20/12/20

🌈


rainbow-star

Lockdown Light


19/12/20

🌰


conker-heart

❤️


18/12/20

🌈


rainbow-trees

Lockdown Light


13/12/20

🌈


rainbow2

Lockdown Light


12/12/20

🎄


pine

Origami pine tree


07/12/20

🎄


wreath

Origami wreath


06/12/20

❤️


bat-mural

I wonder who placed this mural here?


05/12/20

中文


chinese9

Hànzì


03/12/20

🌈


rainbow-robot

🤖


01/12/20

🌬️

snowshoes

☃ ️


30/11/20

The art of paper folding

orical1orical33orical34orical35

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of November.

My favourite is the yacht.


29/11/20

中文


hsk2

Continuing with this standard.


29/11/20

🌈


rainbow-ornament

Lockdown Light


28/11/20

中文


pinyin1pinyin2

Still climbing.

I created these cards for revising Hanyu Pinyin.


26/11/20

🦃


grateful

There is a lot to be grateful for.


23/11/20

🌈


rainbow-rubbish

Lockdown Light


22/11/20

🌈


rainbow-cube1rainbow-cube2rainbow-cube3rainbow-cube4

Lockdown Light


21/11/20

Persimmon


persimmon

柿子 shìzi


15/11/20

🍪


comfort

comfort


13/11/20

Chineasy


chineasy

The new way to read Chinese by Shaolan.


11/11/20

🌈


colours

Lockdown Light


09/11/20

中文


characters1characters2

Still climbing.

I created these cards for revising simplified Chinese characters.


03/11/20

功夫

gloves

Training continues...


01/11/20

📁

stationery

What does your choice of stationery say about you?


31/10/20

The art of paper folding

orical1orical30orical31orical32

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of October.

My favourite is the $ snail by Jim Cowling.


31/10/20

finish 完 wán


inktober2020

31 days, 31 drawings

www.inktober.com

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


31/10/20

🥀


halloween

Happy Halloween


26/10/20

🍂


conkers

Has anyone got any shoelaces?


22/10/20

🌈


light

Lockdown Light


18/10/20

🐞


littleone1

Hello, little one.


17/10/20

🖊️


inktober4

Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)

www.inktober.com

Week 31 - 39: ufo, tail, brain, gauntlet, balance, drill, fragile, hats, dungeon

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


16/10/20

My new face mask


newmask

Disclaimer: I hope the tests stay negative.


15/10/20

🌈


rainbowroad

Rainbow road


07/10/20

RIP


riplaptop

7 years of service


03/10/20

中文


hsk1

It has been interesting doing independent study but now I'll focus on this standard.


03/10/20

A new sword


inkuniink2020

Initial ideas for this year's Inktober

31 days, 31 drawings

www.inktober.com

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


30/09/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical26orical27orical28

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of September.

The $ mountain goat by Janessa Munt was challenging and I haven't completed it yet.

My favourite is the basket.


26/09/20

🛍️💪


bagforlife

A gift from 2014.

A bag for life.


21/09/20

🌸


forgive2

'Forgiveness is the final form of love.' - Reinhold Niebuhr


21/09/20

☮️


peaceday

International Day of Peace


20/09/20

🥢


bao

🥟


01/09/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical23orical24orical25

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of August.

My favourite is the woven cube.


16/08/20

🌈


rainbow

Rainbow flag


04/08/20

✏️


child1child2child3child4

I've unearthed some old sketches from when I was in Primary and Middle school.

I remember spending hours decorating my school exercise books but those are long gone.


04/08/20

🖊️


pdf5pdf6

400 kilometers above

'Something people don't recognize is that being on the space station is probably a lot like being in some kind of confinement - like isolation.' (Scott Kelly)

Process illustration from my response to the word 'Imagination' as part of Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in April and May 2020.

Which do you prefer? Scratchy or more refinded?

Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum


02/08/20

⚠️


social1social2

A sign of the times.


31/07/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical20orical21orical22

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of July.

My favourite is the executive toy.


29/07/20

laowai zaizhongguo

laowai1laowai2

I'm reunited with this book and I remember who gave me this thoughtful gift. It has proved to be a valuable resource. I'm still struggling with the 2nd tone though.


28/07/20

🌱


courage

I read this book: The courage to be disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.


27/07/20

🕊️


bully

I read this book: Bullying in teams by Aryanne Oade.


25/07/20

🖊️


inktober3

Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)

www.inktober.com

Week 21 - 30: robot, stranded, shell, puppet, lunar, half, eyes, wires, garden, sandy

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


22/07/20

唐獅子


karajishi1karajishi2karajishi3karajishi4

I've focused a lot of attention and respect on Guardian Lions that I've seen over several years. The most impressive that I saw in Japan were these two Karajishi outside the Hanazono Shrine in Tokyo.


21/07/20

易经


iching

The last time I was back in the UK my father spotlighted this book from his bookshelf. I was recently fascinated with the Japanese artist Kitawaki Noboru's paintings that reference the I Ching.


20/07/20

👞


shoes

Is this another one of life's tests?


19/07/20

🧘


cycle

I saw this signage on the pavement in Japan.

Is this a person riding a bicycle or is it a person in the Lotus Position levitating?


18/07/20

🌗


tlab1tlab2tlab3tlab4tlab5tlab6

I was led to this exhibition almost a year ago. After experiencing it again in a different location I'm feeling connectedness. There were a couple of unique exhibits but most were the same as the showing in Guangzhou, China. The EN TEA HOUSE was one of those exceptions. A rare chance to observe digital flowers blossoming from a tea cup.

team⭐Lab

https://borderless.teamlab.art


17/07/20

🎎


japorig1japorig2

I couldn't resist these two books in the Tokyo National Museum Shop: Origami Lucky Charms and Yōkai Origami. There are various exquisite models with detailed desciptions of their significance to Japanese culture.


17/07/20

👘


natmus1natmus2natmus3natmus4

I visited all of the exhibitions at the Tokyo National Museum including Kimono the special exhibition.

Highlights in the Japanese Gallery were the relics linked to Buddhism and the art history research by scholars. The Asian Gallery had a diverse range of artifacts from countries including China, Korea, India and Egypt.


16/07/20

⛩️


nezu1nezu2nezu3nezu4nezu5nezu6

I went temple spotting in Yanesen and walked under the Senbon Torii of Nezu Shrine.


15/07/20

🏯


edo1edo2edo3edo4edo5edo6

I had a day filled with history and culture.

I explored the remains of Edo Castle and took influence from Japanese artists at the National Museum of Modern Art. Finally I stayed in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn.


14/07/20

🤖


coll1coll2coll3coll4coll5coll6

I got to see some impressive collections today.

Yamashiroya is a toy store with a huge range. There was a lot of eye candy on show and an iron will was required not to make any purchases.

The National Museum of Nature and Science has a Global Gallery and a Japan Gallery. Both were equally stacked with engaging exhibits. Some of the signage was only in Japanese but visually this was enjoyable without being able to decipher all of the descriptions.


13/07/20

⛩️


ueno1ueno2ueno3ueno4

I visited the Gojo Tenjinsha Shrine in the Ueno Imperial Grant Park.


12/07/20

⛩️


meiji1meiji2meiji3meiji4meiji5meiji6

I visited the Meiji Jingu Shrine and the surrounding area including the Inner Garden and the Meiji Jingu Museum.


11/07/20

🗼


shinjuku1shinjuku2shinjuku3shinjuku4

Some initial sights in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo, Japan.

Due to the Coronavirus threat the Robot Restaurant was closed. I was hoping to catch the famous show.


11/07/20

🎀


gifts1gifts2

A selection of gifts for the next tenant who moves into my apartment.

I left a similar array of items when I left China for the next guest.


11/07/20

😷


masks

Which mask should I wear today?


10/07/20

⛰️


earthquake

Fortunately I haven't had to rely on this Disaster Prevention Map.

Although I did experience two mild earthquakes. One was during the middle of the day and it caused my chair to rotate. The other woke me up and I was really confused as to why my whole bed was shaking.

08/07/20

👨‍💼


sugar

I read this book: What you see is what you get: my autobiography by Alan Sugar.


07/07/20

📝


receipts1receipts2

I've got a habit of putting till receipts in my wallet. Since arriving in Japan at the end of March I've been saving those receipts from mostly essential purchases and not recycling any of them. I've managed to amass quite a lot so I've decided to bind them into a notebook.


06/07/20

🖊️


equality

I love all 400 varieties

‘Virtue can only flourish among equals.’ (Mary Wollstonecraft)

Process illustration from my response to the word 'Equality' as part of filling in the gaps for Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenges.

All of the challenges are posted here: @plymouthdesignforum

The remainder of my challenges will be documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


05/07/20

🐞


littleone

Hello, little one.


05/07/20

🖊️


technology

R-400 is out now

‘The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.’ (B. F. Skinner)

Process illustration from my response to the word 'Technology' as part of filling in the gaps for Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenges.

All of the challenges are posted here: @plymouthdesignforum


04/07/20

🖊️


freedom

I've got 400 options

‘Freedom is the right to live as we wish.’ (Epictetus)

Process illustrations from my response to the word 'Freedom' as part of filling in the gaps for Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenges.

All of the challenges are posted here: @plymouthdesignforum


02/07/20

🐻


alps1alps2alps3alps4

An impressive view from the Alps viewing platform and fortunately I didn't run into any bears.


01/07/20

🤏


tinyorig1tinyorig2

Tiny origami paper.


30/06/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical17orical18orical19

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of June.

My favourite is the heart place card.


29/06/20

Love


love

The things we do for love.


28/06/20

💭


homesick

想家


27/06/20

🌾


rice3rice4

Local rice fields.


26/06/20

🎧


healing

A trip to Japan wouldn't be complete without buying something related to Pokemon.

'Listening to healing music with Koduck' is a tenuous link but it is relaxing.


25/06/20

🐉🚣‍♂️


dragonboat

Dragon Boat Festival

端午节

duān wǔ jié

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


24/06/20

💭


missyou

我想你


24/06/20

日本語


japanese

Studying Japanese with From Zero by George Trombley Jr. and Yukari Takenaka.


21/06/20

🐊


anim-orig

Completed animal origami designed by Makoto Yamaguchi.


18/06/20

中文


chinese8

Still climbing.

Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.


15/06/20

😷


mask

I can't wait to see natural smiles again.


14/06/20

Polka dots


artmuse1artmuse2artmuse3artmuse4

A trip to Matsumoto City Museum of Art for a closer look at The Visionary Flowers by Yayoi Kusama.


13/06/20

中文


chinese7

Still climbing.

Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.


11/06/20

Kanji


kanji

I've seen a lot of familar Chinese characters on products here in Japan.


09/06/20

Tenugui


towel

These traditional Japanese towels are useful for drying hands on the go.


07/06/20

🐚


shell

Week 23: shell

www.inktober.com

I thought I'd try a different approach using this SAI AKASHIYA Japanese Traditional Colours brush pen.

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


06/06/20

中文


chinese6

Still climbing.

Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.


05/06/20

Love forever


love-forever

The Visionary Flowers by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. An attractive design on the back of a bus.


03/06/20

🌥️


apprec1

A moment of appreciation.


02/06/20

🌾


rice1rice2

Local rice fields.


31/05/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical14orical15orical16

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of May.

My favourite is the ostrich and model base combined.


30/05/20

中文


chinese5

Still climbing.

Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.


29/05/20

💭


silvquo5

'Who would have thought that play could be turned into work by rewarding people for doing what they like to do?' - Rosemarie Anderson et al

Quote discovered in this book: Punished by rewards by Alfie Kohn

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


27/05/20

🕹️


sega1sega2

I saw some Pachinko arcade games here.


25/05/20

💮


bloom2bloom3

In bloom.


24/05/20

Kashiwa Mochi


mochi1

An impulse buy while shopping.

A Japanese rice cake filled with red bean wrapped in an oak leaf.

These were eaten as part of the Children's Day celebration at the beginning of May.


24/05/20

🥢


birdrestbirdrest1

The perfect chopstick rest.


23/05/20

🚂


railway1railway2

The train has right of way. One of the many level crossings I've encountered.


22/05/20

🐊


animorig1animorig2

Animal origami set bought in TSUTAYA.

Designed and Diagram by Makoto Yamaguchi.


20/05/20

520


robot

A special day in China.


17/05/20

日本語


japanese1japanese2

Another mountain to climb.

Back to school to practise writing Hiragana characters.


17/05/20

Murder hornet


hornet1hornet2

I found a dead Asian Giant Hornet.


16/05/20

🖊️


inktober2

Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)

www.inktober.com

Week 11 - 20: tower, elephant, joy, green, red, blue, yellow, train, praying mantis, bubbles

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


15/05/20

⚔️


hidden

I read this book: The hidden leader by Scott K. Edinger and Laurie Sain.


14/05/20

🖊️


pdf4

400 species threatened

‘It’s coming home to roost over the next 50 years or so. It’s not just climate change; it’s sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde. Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us, and the natural world is doing it for us right now.’ (David Attenborough)

Process illustration from my response to the word 'Environment' as part of Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in March 2020.

Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum


13/05/20

💀


body

Human body origami set bought in TSUTAYA.

The most unsual set yet! Several organs can be folded and it comes with an educational booklet.


11/05/20

🌺


bloom1

In bloom.


10/05/20

🍺


souvenir

A collection of bottle caps from when I travelled East Africa in 2007.

These souvenirs seem more valuable now I'm more focused on living in a minimal way.


09/05/20

🏛️


listed1listed2listed3listed4

Spotlight on creative work that doesn't usually see the light of day.

I conducted a research project about listed buildings in Plymouth as part of my postgraduate study at the University of Plymouth in 2011.

The outcome was a large scale map/information panel, booklets of photographs and the process documented in a hand-bound book.


08/05/20

🇬🇧


veday

A show of patriotism for Victory in Europe Day.


07/05/20

🖊️


pdf3

400 avenues

'Imagination is more important than knowledge.' (Albert Einstein)

Process illustration from my response to the word 'Imagination' as part of Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in February 2020.

Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum


06/05/20

中文


chinese1chinese2chinese3chinese4

A mountain to climb.

Back to school to practise writing simplified Chinese characters.


05/05/20

🍣


sushi1sushi2

Sushi origami set bought in TSUTAYA.

I enjoy these two things and this combination.


05/05/20

May peace prevail on earth


peace

I saw this peace marker and it instantly reminded me of the one I saw last year in Plymouth, UK.

For more information about the Peace Pole Project check out this link: https://www.worldpeace.org/peacepoleproject/


04/05/20

🎰


vend1vend2vend3vend4

I spotted a couple of unusual vending machines.

One was selling cigarettes and the other had fish stock in bottles with an important notice.

I wouldn't recommend smoking the cigarettes either.


04/05/20

Guardians


guardian1guardian2guardian3guardian4

I was captivated by the various Imperial Guardian Lions that I saw in China.

Here I've seen these two Komainu guarding a local shrine through all weather conditions.

For more information about Japanese shrines check out this link: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2059.html


03/05/20

Taberareru Mascot


essential

An impulse buy whilst food shopping.

This might be one of those non-essentials.


03/05/20

🌷


bloom

In bloom.


02/05/20

Golden Week


golden1golden2

Golden Week (ゴールデンウィーク, Gōruden Wīku) is a Japanese holiday.

I've been advised not to travel due to the Coronavirus threat.

Stay Home Week (ステイホーム週間, Sutei hōmu shūkan) begins!

For more information vist: https://www.koho.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/diary/news/stay_home.html


30/04/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical11orical12orical13

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of April.

My favourite is the super chicken by Susanna Kricskovics.


29/04/20

🍃


green

Greenery Day

みどりの日

Midori no Hi

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


28/04/20

🚴‍♂️


doit1doit2

Back on two wheels and I saw some motivation along the way.


27/04/20

🦑


cracker1cracker2

Delicious crackers bought in a local shop.


26/04/20

🎰


vending

The vending machines on the street are convenient and surprisingly promote social distancing.


26/04/20

🦥


lobster

I read this book: Lobster is the best medicine by Liz Climo.


25/04/20

Naturalist


darwin1darwin2darwin3darwin4

Spotlight on creative work that doesn't usually see the light of day.

I conducted a research project about Charles Darwin as part of my postgraduate study at the University of Plymouth in 2010.

Here are some of the pages of the process documented in a hand-bound book.


24/04/20

🥚🐇


easter

Fashionably late for a celebration about a rabbit that brings chocolate eggs.

How are they connected again?


23/04/20

Shoegaze


envyjesujesu1jesu2

Two artists that consistantly put out quality records: Envy from Japan and Jesu from the UK.

The collaboration Envy/Jesu Split EP was originally released in Japan. Before that Jesu had several exclusive releases in the region with bonus tracks. I'm especially fond of the extras on Jesu's Silver EP.


21/04/20

💓🧠


eq

I read this book: Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.


19/04/20

Hope


hope1hope2hope3hope4

This art was created in August 2019 as part of my reflection before leaving China. By looking at it with fresh eyes I interpret it differently now we're faced with a global threat.

A message created using hand cut alphabet letters that were used as teaching aids. The words are lyrics from the song You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers. It's a tune that was released way before my time. I remember it from family parties and its association with Liverpool Football Club. The alphabet letters were recycled afterwards.

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


18/04/20

A work tool that is a work of art


knot1knot2

A gift that I received in the year of the goat.

I like all of the cultural details that are apart of this USB stick.

Information discovered about Chinese knots on this website: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/culture/knot.htm


17/04/20

⚰️


dead

My mobile phone is out of action.

This marks the loss of my go-to camera and I won't be able to post on some social media platforms.

I hope to get a replacement soon.


14/04/20

🌃


night

A peaceful evening.


11/04/20

🖊️


pdf2

400 inner voicess

'Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.' (W. Clement Stone)

Process illustrations from my response to the word 'Fear' as part of Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in January 2020.

Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum


11/04/20

🧒🏻🧒🏼🧒🧒🏽🧒🏾🧒🏿


hands

I saw this signage on the pavement in Japan.

The symbol of adult and child holding hands is a reminder of all of the young people worldwide that are currently affected by social distancing. I hope soon this pandemic will pass and they can focus on their innocence without in some cases having to wear masks or being constantly reminded of preventative action.


11/04/20

🏯


castcast2cast3cast4

The first Japanese castle I've seen in Matsumoto, Japan. Matsumoto Castle, the grounds and the perimeter were breathtaking.

Unfortunately it wasn't possible to enter the castle due to the Coronovirus threat.


10/04/20

protectors need protectors


prot

I'm thinking of all of the doctors and nurses who have passed away while trying to save others during these challenging times.

A thoughtful gift from the past.

Converge T-shirt

Artwork by Jacob Bannon.


08/04/20

🌚


apprec

A moment of appreciation.


05/04/20

🦖


dino1dino2

Dinosaur origami set bought in DAISO.

Some glue is required so it isn't pure origami but the printed paper is a plus.


04/04/20

🐞


beet1beet2beet3beet4

Insect origami set bought in DAISO.

Some glue is required so it isn't pure origami but the printed paper is a plus.


31/03/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical8orical9orical10

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of March.

My favourite is the moth.


30/03/20

⛰️


mount

A moment of appreciation.


29/03/20

🌸


snowblos1snowblos2

Cherry blossom on a snowy day.


29/03/20

❄️


snow

I woke up to this surprise!


28/03/20

🗑️


sort1sort2

I'm learning about a local responsibility.

I bought these bags for sorting refuse. Each colour is for a different type of waste. Yellow is for plastic containers and packaging bags. Blue is for crushable and decomposable waste and red is for rubbish that can be burned.


28/03/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical5orical6orical7

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of February.

My favourite is the crane puppet by mvs.


27/03/20

The art of paper folding


orical1orical2orical3orical4

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

All of the origami models folded for the month of January.

My favourite is the peacock chopstick rest by Dorothy Engleman.


26/03/20

✍🏻


combk3combk4

Continuing to write and draw in my commonplace book.

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


26/03/20

Breakable


breakable

I drew this as part of Inktober in October 2018. As part of my creative process I tried to consider a deeper underlying message. This was the only illustration that I attached the meaning to in the description. All of the other sketches were open to interpretation

Saying: people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones

Definition: This means that you should not criticize other people for bad qualities in their character that you have yourself.

Source: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/people-who-live-in-glass-houses-shouldn't-throw-stones

I invite you to look back and try to reinterpret my creative work. I will be spotlighting them on my Instagram: @daz.darryl.


25/03/20

🌸


blos1blos2

Cherry blossom in the morning.


24/03/20

🍣


dazu

My attempt at writing my artist name: Daz in Japanese.

ダズ Dazu

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


23/03/20

🌊🐔


seach

This product caught my eye. Apparently this tuna is refered to as sea chicken because it tastes like chicken breast. I'll give it the taste test later.

I read about it on this website: http://www.okinalearning.com/blog/what-is-sea-chicken/


22/03/20

🌸


blos

Cherry blossom at dusk.


22/03/20

🖊️


inktober1

Inktober 52 (52 weeks, 52 drawings)

www.inktober.com

Week 1 - 10: flight, shadow, brick, snake, balloon, hammer, dinner, spider, wave, elf

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


21/03/20

Surviving


sur1sur2

Home cooking with limited food items.


21/03/20

An old, unused notebook with new content


combk1combk2

14 days quarantine is an ideal time to start a commonplace book.

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


20/03/20

Quarantine


qua

I've got access to these gadgets; the use of toilet roll is optional.


19/03/20

Hanko


hank1hank2hank3hank4

I got a novel item: a hanko stamp of my name in Japanese. It was created using a vending machine in Aeon Mall. It will be used on official documents as a signature.


19/03/20

A view from a train


viewview1

A journey out of Tokyo. There were mountains either side some seemingly snow capped and houses in the valley. A few of the houses were adorned with black traditional Japanese roof tiles.


18/03/20

A hand up


bigiss

Before leaving the UK a man was offering to sell his Big Issue magazines for £1 because he needed to sell the remainder that day. At that price he takes a loss of 25p for each issue based on how much he paid for them but he does get back some of his assets.

Spare a thought for those that are vulnerable in our community especially during a crisis. Helping each other isn't about politics. It's about ethics.


17/03/20

I've arrived


jap

Arrived in Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan.

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


16/03/20

My next step


sab1sab2

Here's my story of how I've spent my time during my unpaid sabbatical:

I've practiced the art of looking sideways, embraced the light and dark through my illustration. Inktober challenges and Plymouth Design Forum 400x400 challenges have helped to think outside of the box. I hope one day to have other platforms to share my creativity.

I've studied to improve my teaching and leadership skills. Volunteered to retain contact with students and hopefully passed on experience to contribute to the local community. I've worked on ways to organise the things I do to better separate business from pleasure.

I've trained Wing Chun for meditation, focus and to keep physically active. I've achieved the yellow sash and aim to continue my Martial Arts journey.

I'm glad I've also had this time to attempt to properly reconnect with friends, family and fellow students after a lot of distance and minimal visits to the UK. Thank you for listening, being supportive and giving me the opportunities to care.


14/03/20

💭


quotesquote27

I've highlighted this card before on Instagram. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.

'Walking is man's best medicine.' - Hippocrates

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


14/03/20

From broken to beautiful


broke

Inspiring messages can be found in the most unexpected places. I saw this paper food mat in a Wagamama restaurant in London, UK.

It reads: 'Share more than a meal with a friend kintsugi is the japanese art of mending broken pottery. Instead of conceiling the cracks, gold is used to emphasise the beauty of what was once broken.

The moment we accept and share our struggles, is the moment we begin to paint our own cracks with gold.

Wear them with pride as they are a map of a life lived, leaving us stronger and more beautiful than before.'

#shareandrepair


13/03/20

💭


quotesquote26

I've never highlighted this card before. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.

'I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.' - Pablo Picasso

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


13/03/20

👧🏻


gret

I read this book: No one is too small to make a difference by Greta Thunberg.


12/03/20

💭


quotesquote25

I've never highlighted this card before. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.

'Joy, feeling one's own value, being appreciated and loved by others, feeling useful and capable of production are all factors of enormous value for the human soul.' - Maria Montessori

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


12/03/20

🐪🚴‍♂️


cam1cam2cam3cam4cam5cam6

My father and I cycled 22 miles along the Camel Trail in Cornwall, UK. The route was from Bodmin Boscarne to Padstow then we looped back. Sporadic weather conditions included sunshine, rain, heavy winds and hail.


12/03/20

Fear candy


ter1ter2

Fear Candy CDs were free with issues of the extreme music magazine: Terrorizer. Pushing the boundaries of listening pleasure or pain. I used to be able to chew on these treats all day long. Possible side effects: ear damage and I don't scare easily. This is theatre. This is art.


11/03/20

💭


quotesquote24

I've never highlighted this card before. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.

'If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress.' - Barack Obama

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


11/03/20

A hand up


isu5isu6

The Big Issue is a magazine sold by homeless people in the UK. A quote from inside the magazine 'This magazine was bought by your vendor for £1.25 and sold to you for £2.50. They are proudly working, not begging. Buy it, take it, spread the word.'

Support the men who have made changes and are trying to get their life back on track. All of the vendors who I bought from were men.


10/03/20

💭


quotesquote23

I've never highlighted this card before. I drew it in 2018 and it is still relevant.

'Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called 'Ego'.' - Friedrich Nietzsche

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


10/03/20

⌨️


type1type2type3type4

Spotlight on creative work that doesn't usually see the light of day.

I bought this Erika typewriter from a Charity Shop in Swansea, UK.

I experimented with it as part of a project as a postgraduate at the University of Plymouth in 2010.

I fed a large sheet of newsprint through the typewriter at different angles. I typed multiple messages and created illustrations using letters and glyphs.


10/03/20

🦖


que

I read this book: What if? by Randall Munroe.


09/03/20

🎲


mar1mar2mar3mar4

We returned to the friendly Board Game Group for a night of gaming at Marina Bar, Plymouth, UK.


09/03/20

🍂


life1life2life3life4

Spotlight on creative work that doesn't usually see the light of day.

Here are some watercolour landscape scenes from a book titled Life Cycles that I created as an undergraduate at the University of Plymouth in 2004.

The paper was fed through a printer to print the typography on top while the words describe how wildlife interacts with and uses the land.

After this experiment I decided to create more but to abstract the landscape with a simple wash of colour.


08/03/20

🍂


compassion

I read this book: Compassion by Dani DiPirro.


08/03/20

👭


wom1wom2

Happy International Women's Day


07/03/20

Trophy scars


canc1canc2canc3canc4

In the spirit of focusing on the truth I've been looking through this common place book that I worked on while I had cancer in 2003. I started and dated the book on the 15/01/03.

Inside I wrote about all of the procedures, my thoughts, my feelings in the form of poetry and illustrations of the experience. This became a focus especially during long periods of chemotherapy.

There was no running away when this happened to me at the age of 20. I faced it and I fought to survive.

I'm eternally grateful for the treatment and care I received through the National Health Service in the UK.


05/03/20

🖊️


pdf1

More than 400 words

'The average person talks at a rate of about 125 to 175 words per minute, while we listen and comprehend up to 450 words per minute.' (Carver, Johnson and Friedman)

Process illustrations of people's ears that were apart of a project for Plymouth Design Forum's 400x400 Design Challenge in December 2019.

Check out the final design: @plymouthdesignforum


05/03/20

💭


silvquo4

'The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.' - Winston Churchill

Quote discovered on this website: https://www.brainyquote.com/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


04/03/20

🐡


aq1aq2aq3aq4aq5aq6

Today my mother and I visited the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, UK. We didn't get a lot of chances to spend time together over the past few years so this is a rare opportunity. The educational displays have received an upgrade since the last time I visited. There were some that touched on the dangers of plastic in the ocean and there was a polar bear made out of plastic bags. One interesting display aimed at children and 'big kids' allows you to guess how many humans, on average, are killed each year by the following... What do you think?


01/03/20

Memory lane


ex1ex2ex3ex4ex5ex6

A reunion in Exeter, UK. Great to reminisce by walking around a lot of the old haunts. A lot of memories from our University days and some of it looked untouched.


01/03/20

Chinese tea culture


tea1tea2tea3tea4

I practised the tea ceremony with an unused tea set. I brewed Jasmine tea that was sourced from an Asian Oriental Store Ltd. in Plymouth, UK.


28/02/20

🤘


ramm

Impressive performance by Rammstein tribute band: Rammlied at The Junction, Plymouth, UK. It has been a long time since I've listened to the original German group. Stage presence was captivating with all of the elaborate props including arm mounted fireworks, firelighters and some appendages (tongue firmly in cheek). It was a fun show! This is theatre. This is art.


24/02/20

🥋


wutan

Staying focused and keeping the drive!

Wutan Martial Arts Website: http://wutan.kungfu-wutan.co.uk/

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


19/02/20

Chinese tea culture


calligraphy1calligraphy2calligraphy3calligraphy4

Introducing and learning about Chinese calligraphy with family. We prepared the ink by rubbing an inkstick on the inkstone. We wrote various Chinese characters and tried to follow the correct stroke order.


16/02/20

💖


cal

Origami Calendar 2020 by Margaret Van Sicklen.

A great way to practice origami daily.


15/02/20

🔥


gas

I read this book: Gaslighting by Dr Stephanie Sarkis.

The message inside the front cover: ‘To everyone who is experiencing gaslighting – may you find light, hope, and healing.’

The message on the back cover: ‘He’s the charmer – the witty, confident, but overly controlling date. She’s the woman on your team who always manages to take credit for your good work. He’s the neighbour who swears you’ve been putting your rubbish into his bins, or the politician who can never admit to a mistake. Gaslighters are master controllers and manipulators, often challenging your very sense of reality. They distort the truth – by lying, withholding, triangulation, and more – making their victims question their own sanity.’


13/02/20

A hand up


isu1isu2isu3isu4

The Big Issue is a magazine sold by homeless people in the UK. A quote from inside the magazine 'This magazine was bought by your vendor for £1.25 and sold to you for £2.50. They are proudly working, not begging. Buy it, take it, spread the word.'

Support the men who have made changes and are trying to get their life back on track. All of the vendors who I bought from were men.


12/02/20

🥊


old1

I read this book: Getting old deal with it by Lee Janogly.

For all of the ageists out there or if you're aware of any... recommend this book!


10/02/20

🦄


uni

I read this book: What would unicorn do? Magical rules for a happy life by Sarah Ford.


07/02/20

💓


swan

A wall mural I saw in London, UK.


06/02/20

Create a souvenir


lon1lon2lon3lon4

Drawing on location in London, UK.

My art is documented on my Instagram: @daz.darryl


05/02/20

💭


tat1tat2tat3tat4

Tate Modern, London, UK. Installation design by Hunting and Narud. Graphic Design by Nina Jua Klein, Tate Design Studio. Content devised by Tate Interpretation Team.

Quotes by Joseph Beuys, Al Weiwei, Meschac Gaba, Lygia Clark, Yayoi Kusama, Pablo Picasso.


07/02/20

💓🌱🧑‍🤝‍🧑🌎🎨


kind

I read this magazine: Be Kind.


28/01/20

For one another


toms1toms2

Inspiring messages can be found in the most unexpected places. Take this Toms shoe box for example.

It reads: 'We are artists: we are optimists. We are global citizens. We are local changemakers. Each of us is different, but we believe there is more that unites us than divides us. One for one because we are one.'


27/01/20

🙏


mind

I read this book: The little book of mindfulness by Toddy Rowan.


25/01/20

🐀


rat

Happy New Year

新年快乐

Xīnnián kuàilè

All the best for 2020! 🐀


21/01/20

The rainbow after the rain


re1re2re3re4

A special reunion in Hong Kong.

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