4 minute read
KLASSics Konfidential
The road to finding your true passion can be found in the most unexpected of places. Read about how our former parent, Gladys Simpson, found her love for urban sketching.
Gladys Teo-Simpson
Former Parent, 2010 - 2019
Tell us about yourself and your journey of being an artist. I studied graphic design at Malaysian Institute of Art in Kuala Lumpur. After graduating in December 1990, I started work at a publisher as a graphic designer working on a magazine called ‘Woman at Work’. Two years later, I joined an advertising agency called Saatchi & Saatchi Integrated as an Art Director. The agency later merged with Bates Malaysia. I was with Bates USP Direct for six plus years. We were the unit that specialised in direct marketing. I’ve worked on brands such as Telekom, HSBC, Uncle Tobys, Benson & Hedges, Malaysia Airlines, Panasonic and others. Soon, my first child came along and I decided to freelance. I was employed as a permanent freelance Art Director, at Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB).
I took a break from my career when my husband was posted to work overseas from 2005 to late 2009. During the break, I took up painting. First with acrylics and then with oils. But it was not until late 2012 that I started honing my colour pencil skills, drawing portraits of dogs. Couple of friends who were animal lovers would commission portraits of their dogs and that gave me the confidence to start my pet portraits business. I’ve received commissions from the USA, UK and New Zealand.
Soon after I discovered ‘urban sketching’ in August 2014 during our family trip to Saigon. My first sketch was from the hotel window. And the rest, is history.
How are you adapting to the new norm now? I used to love spending time visiting art galleries or sit at a café sketching. I could just spend hours there. In the early months of the pandemic, galleries and many eateries were closed. I was stuck at home for three months! Like it or not, I kept busy cleaning, cooking and of course sketching and painting. I assume other artists also found time to experiment and paint. I believe one can find inspiration anywhere and I find it during my long walks and bike rides.
How do you find inspiration to keep you going during these unprecedented times now? Eventually Jakarta lifted the lockdown and I had more freedom moving around. Being new to Jakarta, I really love exploring my neighbourhood. I’d go for morning walks and sketch the local vendors. From pushcarts to carrying their ware with a wooden pole over their shoulder to strapping a basket on their backs. They are my most favourite subject to sketch. I am also lucky to be surrounded by like minded people. I’m part of a group of thousands of urban sketchers worldwide. We sketchers love to sketch together but since the pandemic we have taken to sharing and catching up on Zoom often.
What’s the most memorable project that you’ve undertaken during the pandemic? In October 2020, I was commissioned to draw around 30 pieces of A4 size illustrations for a developer in Jakarta, Agung Sedayu Group. It was for the launch of a Chinese themed food court called Pantjoran PIK in North Jakarta. The illustrations are used for eight posters that are now placed around the beautifully built food court. My task along with the writer was to educate visitors to Pantjoran PIK about the Chinese influence in Indonesia through food and culture, with the arrival of the Chinese as early as the 13th century. It was such an eye opener throughout this process. It took me about six weeks from concept to completing the illustrations.
How are artists adapting to the current pandemic situation? Many artists have started art classes online or do interviews via Zoom. In November 2020, I was a guest speaker on @Zafigo_travel via Instagram Live. Datin Marina Mahathir was the host and we talked about ‘Traveling Through Journaling and Art.’ And that travel sketching was still possible within a 2km radius!
Thank goodness for technology. Artists can still reach out to the masses. Virtual art exhibitions are the in-thing now.
What’s your advice to aspiring young artists? It’s possible to work on it. You need to constantly draw, paint or sketch. Carry a small sketchbook and sketch everywhere. I can’t help but bring one on date nights with my husband. I’ve even sketched while I was admitted to hospital for food poisoning. I sketched my saline drip. Explore different mediums. To make progress, you have to learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable. Lastly, never compare yourself with other artists. Learn from them instead. Slowly, you’ll develop your own style and uniqueness.
Gladys can be reached at gladsimpson@gmail.com
Below are the links to her work: http://gladsketches.blogspot.com/ http://gladsimpsonart.blogspot.com/ https://www.instagram.com/gladsimpson_art/
