Instagram story viewer> @peonies.and.paper> Posts

Min Wang

@peonies.and.paper

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Blink, and four months will have passed since I last posted here. And oh, what a busy and full four months - quarter of a year (!!) - it’s been! Transitions in seasons, from school to summer camp, transitions at work, transitions in schedules (including sleep) - change has been the name of the game, and it’s all I can do to keep up. I’ve snatched some fleeting moments here and there to practice art. Here are some of the fruits of my (sporadic, too much so for my liking!) labor, in no particular order. Thinking about colors, layers, and patience with the process in slide 1. Dipping my toes (and new brushes!) into watercolor practice, eager to put pigment to paper, and to try out this little duckling in slide 2. Slide 3 was my first foray into acrylics with this floral composition inspired by Old Dutch Masters. And slide 4 was born out of a desperate necessity to create something just for myself, a precious 30 minutes or so drawing and shading this little bird after a particularly stressful day.

The work is never finished when I’m creating - everything I do feels like practice and learning in the best way. Every little piece a reminder of how far one can go and the rewards of persistence. And so, like in my daily life, I keep going, looking forward to the next day, adventure, the next practice session. ❤️🌅🎨 by @peonies.and.paper

19

2

3 months ago

I attended a wonderful class on alcohol inks, taught by Lori Crook at the local Woodmere Art Museum! Under Lori’s expert, kind, and enthusiastic direction, we received a great introduction to this intriguing medium, and went home with our own painted tiles and switch plates! Just a tiny glimpse into the potential of this medium, and I must say, I am hooked! It was very soothing and meditative to watch the inks and colors blossom and change before your eyes.

Here are my abstract practice pieces - it was so much fun to play around with the inks! And my tile and switch plate. Plus the palettes; I was obsessed with the mesmerizing colors 🥰

Thank you Lori and the Woodmere for a lovely afternoon!! @zanymom @woodmereart by @peonies.and.paper

23

5

7 months ago

Day 2 of lots of sitting due to sprained ankle 😄 I am in direct view of our hummingbird feeder, and eagerly awaiting the return of these tiny bejeweled creatures. Here is a male ruby-throated hummingbird, the kind that frequents this area when warmer weather settles. In keeping with the theme (I love a good theme!), I ‘dressed up’ with some of my favorite rings while drawing this little beauty.

Sun, gems, birds, drawing and coloring. Some of my favorite things to close this lovely weekend 🐤🦜🌞🌞🎨💎 by @peonies.and.paper

24

6

7 months ago

Here in Philly, I think (cautiously) the last and worst of this winter is now behind us. I’ll also put forth probably an unpopular opinion, which is that I enjoyed this winter, snow and ice and cold and all. There is something to be said for experiencing a true winter, which is what I am accustomed to, having grown up in New England and Chicago. The best part is seeing it through the eyes of our son, who got to go sledding multiple times, make snowmen, build an igloo (!!), slide around on frozen puddles and the local pond. I have only fond memories, even of the times I’ve had to comically crawl across large swaths of ice to avoid messy/painful falls 😆

The funny thing is, I’ve managed to avoid any falls the entire winter, only to be taken down by a sweet gum tree spiky ball (that is my official name for these buggers!) on the loveliest day of the year yet. Interesting how that works out 🤔 A sprained ankle to greet the first weekend of spring!

Despite being temporarily immobilized, I’ve found plenty to keep me busy. We showed our son Finding Nemo this weekend, keeping up with our aquatic theme (it was The Little Mermaid last weekend!). I sat outside in the sun yesterday and drew this underwater scene. It just flowed (please pardon the pun!) and I am happy with the fish, and the sea plants. I may play with deeper water colors around the border. This was a joy to create and to commemorate a peaceful weekend ❤️

Happy Spring to you 🥰 by @peonies.and.paper

10

2

7 months ago

Hello everyone! I am so excited to share this painting I’ve been working on the past few days. I joined an online paint-along, which is a great way to commit time to making art. I learned a lot, and it’s a wonderful feeling to have a finished painting to look at!

We are still in fall, which I absolutely love, but painting this has given me a glimpse of the crisp and glittering snowfalls, wintry beauty, and holiday joys waiting around the bend. 🥰❄️ by @peonies.and.paper

27

1

a year ago

Somehow it’s almost the end of the October! Well, here we go, friends! A few more days of glorious fall weather before we welcome the month of November - incidentally, my birthday month 😄 I haven’t had time to make art recently, but this week’s paint club was a wonderful opportunity to take a moment for myself and learn something new. Today was lace day, and we looked at 3 different ways to depict lace. Loved every minute and having this time to create something lovely 🥰 by @peonies.and.paper

18

2

a year ago

It’s almost the weekend, and also the start of a new month. How did we get to October already?

I am not complaining, though. My favorite season is underway, and we are gifted with gorgeous crisp weather, and the promise of lovely foliage to come!

Taking a little break to create and just enjoy mixing and layering colors. These colorful little fish are starting to take shape! by @peonies.and.paper

11

0

a year ago

I’ve always loved drawing, ever since I was a little girl. Pencil and paper were a given, until with the arrival of digital tools, they were not. I often find myself reaching for the iPad and pencil - it is amazingly convenient and wonderful for quickly exploring different media. When I need to quickly sketch pattern elements, or jot down a color palette, there is nothing like their immediacy to capture those fleeting ideas.

However, sometimes I find I need the pace of a pencil and paper, something analog. The feel of the paper grain, the way the pencil glides over the surface. My muscles and movements sculpting an image, shaping the pictures in my mind’s eye into tangible reality.

This was one of those times. I had to put this to paper, this image of grief, of processing loss and existing in that moment. Somehow it felt the heart could properly speak, in a way that I couldn’t utter through a glowing screen and pixels.

This isn’t finished. It’s the first of many drafts. But it is a start at honoring the people for whom this was created.

To them, and their incredible light and warmth. by @peonies.and.paper

15

2

a year ago

‘Night Mango’
8 x 10 prints available at NoName Gallery 🥭

When the temperatures start to dip (or more accurately these days, swing back and forth between persistent summer and shy autumn!), my mind turns to deep, vibrant colors. The light and floaty shades of summer give way to jewel tones. This piece captures the warmth of those lingering, late summer days, while making way for coziness ahead. 🤗 by @peonies.and.paper

15

2

a year ago

I was talking to a friend recently about the creative process. We talked about how we tend to go through periods of time where we create like crazy, but then can also go for quite a while without creating anything.

It seems to be a bit of a cycle, and someone had the interesting notion that even the non-creating periods of time still serve a purpose. Those are the times when we are gathering - taking in images, what’s around us, colors and shapes and textures mingling in our minds. Simmering or percolating.

And then these resting/gathering periods lead to bursts of activity, resulting in new works and plenty of action.

Both periods serve a purpose, and the rest times are not to be discounted :)

When I go through these ‘quieter’ times, I still try to practice. Even if it’s just doodling or coming up with color palettes, it’s exercise to keep some basic skills sharp, or to explore new directions and skills.

I made this pattern this week, working on scale, and how the elements relate to each other. I also tried to keep a fairly tight color palette and to challenge myself with color placement. Basically trying to be intentional, and testing what could work. Problem-solving :)

This may not have been created out of those ‘aha,’ inspired moments, but the work was well worth it and satisfying. by @peonies.and.paper

19

5

a year ago

‘Fine Feathered Friends’

Cheerful and energetic birds commune with nature. Richly hued flowers add delicate yet dramatic flair.

8x10 prints available for purchase at NoName Gallery
8127 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118

Stop in to see this beautifully curated gallery, full of incredible art that I am honored to share a bit of space with! 🥰🎨 by @peonies.and.paper

15

0

a year ago

I love seeing the beautiful blooms around town, especially in the spring and summer, when their colors dance and sparkle. Chestnut Hill is known as the Garden District of Philadelphia, which is evident in the bountiful greenery and blooms nearly everywhere you look. Inspired by my rambles about town, a pretty window box filled with flowers greets you as you stroll by. by @peonies.and.paper

10

0

a year ago