Can you grow to like me?
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When I worked with Paula Wiseman at Harcourt Brace nearly a decade ago, I was surprised by her comment, which I paraphrase: "Your style is different from anyone else's."
Then I heard it again today in a review in a Scholastic's online tool for teachers:
I think frogs must just be boastful creatures because Foo is on a roll, bragging to his friends Mao-Mao and Sue-Lin. But he gets his comeuppance and lands on his feet both figuratively and literally. Described as having a "remarkable style influenced by childhood memories of Taiwan and Japan, her experience immigrating to the United States at age seven, and her studies in Scotland and China," Belle Yang has an interesting illustrating style that continues to grow on me. Nice work Belle!
This makes me happy and yet it still puzzles me. Yes, anyone who illustrates or writes want to be unique. "Belle Yang has an interesting illustrating style that continues to grow on me" can also mean that when people first perceive my work, it strikes them as alien, odd and unlikable? Does it really take time to like me? Please, I am not trawling for compliments here, but I just realized that we really can't see ourselves the way others percieve us.
Steve Hauk tells me clients have come in to Hauk Fine Arts and taken a dislike to my painting, then they walk around the gallery, come back to the same piece, and say they are beginning to take to my style. Some go on to buy the painting.
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Belle Yang reading Foo the Flying Frog of Washtub Pond
Booksigning for Foo Frog at Hauk Fine Arts on Saturday, April 11th, 11 AM to 2 PM
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Ruth Paget says:
Foo is just having too much fun!
Hi Belle,
Your art is unique to many folks and perhaps uncomfortable at first glanceI think, because not many people have seen Chinese folk art. What I find truly unique in your illustrations is the happiness and maybe even the vulnerability that you convey. Foo is opening himself up to danger yet he doesn't let potential danger interfere with his life in the illustration you show here.
I studied Chinese and Japanese art in college and I think the energy in what you draw reminds me of - forgetfulness is setting in - the Mount Shigi scrolls of Japan, for example. (I haven't had to access this part of my brain in awhile - like twenty years!) These scrolls are not folk art, but they have an energy in them albeit nervous that reminds me of your work.
Did you study Japanese art as well as Chinese art when you were growing up in Asia?
Also, have fun at your book signing at Hauk Fine Arts!
Ruth :)
Belle Yang says:
Hi, Ruth
I think there is a huge dollop of the Japanese in my art. As you know, I lived in Japan as a child. I did study art, but it was simply art classes under Fujioka Sensi, my first grade teacher. I'll have to look up the Mount Shigi scrolls.
I'm happy my editor at Candlewick believes in me.
Ryoma Collia-Suzuki says:
I have experienced the same
I have experienced the same reaction as a buyer and could not articulate why I would go through the same process. I spoke to Gina who explained her views much better than I could.
Gina's theory is that when people see something that they cannot categorise, perhaps it is new to them or unique for example, and if it is something they have a strong reaction to, the reaction may take that person aback as it is not something they expect. The reaction is so strong that they may not be able to recognise it as something positive and so the natural thing to do is to step away from it. Because they subconsciously know it is a good thing, they will be drawn back to the object of desire until their mind begins to form a new category that helps them rationalise what they are seeing and feeling at the same time.
Basically, people like something, don't know it and go away, are drawn back to it and look again and then love it! We tend to just know what we like instantly but Gina said that the Arnolfini Painting made her react this way and she is completely obsessed with it! LOL!
Belle Yang says:
I agree, though
I don't know if subconsciously they like something. I think it laudable and smart to make a pilgrimage and see one painting really well. It's better to take in one thing deeply than to run amok and see fuzzily a lot of mish-mash.
Jessica Barksdale Inclan says:
One of my writing teachers
One of my writing teachers told me to figure out what my style was and do it MORE. I'm not sure I completely take her advice, but I do think that that we need to be who we are stylistically.
I think Foo is fab.
Best,
J
Jessica Barksdale Inclan
www.jessicabarksdaleinclan.com
Belle Yang says:
Jessica,
Some people are able to "do others," be it writing style or using paint. I was always terrible at copying the masters, which is a requirement in the East and the West. My pencil just wanted to go its own way. Yeah, let's just be more Jessica and more Belle. But Jessica is already very Jessica.
Woohoofoo!
Ruth Paget says:
Whoohoofoo
Hi Belle,
I think you have a movie title there for Foo...
Ruth :)
Belle Yang says:
That will be the title
of the encore, Ruthie!
Shana McLean Moore says:
Trawling or not...
you're getting a compliment from me, Belle. My first reaction to your illustrations was the same as it is now to Foo-- WOW! And the fact that your artwork is complemented with the heart and wisdom of your words makes you all the more awe inspiring. Truly.
Shana
Shana McLean Moore
www.caffeinatedponderings.com
www.sunnysidecommunications.com
Belle Yang says:
Artists, writers
need to see and fall in love with a lot of things, then to digest it all so that it all becomes their own.
Farzana Versey says:
Belle...
A style that continues to grow on you might mean that it is not static and throws up new meanings and images each time you look at it. There is a story and then there are stories from those stories...
There is Foo and then there could be Fu Manchu...
Have fun with many more of these.
~F
Belle Yang says:
Fu Manchu, indeed
I think your style has to be really different as you are a huge repository of history and cultures. Your life fascinates me.
Evie Shockley says:
i think it's a good thing
Belle, in my experience, some of the best things in life -- things I truly love -- are an "acquired taste" . . . : )
For an artist to have a distinctive, signature style is an achievement. Yours is one I'm quite drawn to, for what it's worth! : ) Congrats on your achievement!
Belle Yang says:
I see I ended up
trawling.
Thank you, Evie :)
Eric Nichols says:
Aw, shucks, Belle: I
Aw, shucks, Belle:
I liked you the first time I saw that quirky little Chinese lady with the big hats. :)
Belle Yang says:
Hey, who
you callin' little. I'll have you know I'm 5'5.5" tall. And that's sans a tall hat.
Waldo . says:
Don't know what they are talking about...
We have loved your work from the first time we saw it in Steve's gallery. We have two, and once the economy turns (knock on wood), we will be visiting again.
We were introduced to Peasant Paintings while living in Asia and they (and yours) now monopolize our walls.
Belle Yang says:
Hmm. . .
The mysterious s d!