Who we are, About Me by Elisa Choi

I like to sketch on location and sketching in pen is something that helps me to "quickly" express and have a personal connection of what I see. I like how I remember the things that I see more than just taking a number of photographs. I enjoy painting in lots of different colors and seeing my sketches come to life. I hope to inspire others to try and sketch their lives wherever they are. I think it's one way to just slow down and savor the little things.

This sketch is at a pie resto. They serve great pies. :)

Patterns and Textures, Patterned Dress by Elisa Choi

Her patterned dress caught my interest...

Patterns and Textures, Rubbing 2 Elisa Choi

I laid the paper this time on a wooden cabinet. I use crayons in a variety of cool colors with a tiny touch of pink. I turn the paper around to experience the different feel of textures around. 

Patterns and Textures, Rubbings 1 by Elisa Choi

I placed the paper on the wooden door and use crayons to do rubbings for texture and pattern. It was fun and quite relaxing to "color" with abandon, turn the paper on all sides to capture different textures. I look forward to see what you create with this theme. Have a great day!

Work Life, Persevering by Elisa Choi

I saw him again on my way to work and had to quickly sketched him. He lived across from the bus stop, carrying his blue drawstring knapsack along with a belt bag and would slowly inch his way accompanied by his two four-legged canes. He inspires me. At his old age he still goes to work despite his condition. He always entered last in the bus and would go down at the first stop. I have no idea what his work is. I wonder if he experiences any pain or discomfort while walking…

Work Life, Trolley of Art Supplies by Elisa Choi

I worked in IT for 5 years before changing career because Art has always been my interest. Now I teach art to kids and I have learned so much from teaching and getting to know children. This trolley of art supplies are what I normally use and sometimes it can be quite confusing to search for materials especially when I am in a hurry because the kids are becoming too playful... lol.

I am enjoying your posts about your work life. Keep them coming! :)

Night Scenery, Night Cityscape by Elisa Choi

Night Cityscape in Singapore. I rarely paint a night scenery and find it challenging. But I learned after that I need to leave the white of the paper as light.

Activities People Do, Play Piano by Elisa Choi

Uncle playing the piano in our home. He started playing since he was a child and is good at playing classical music. I told him to teach me but he said he doesn't know how to teach.

Activities People Do, Commute sketches by Elisa Choi

Mixed commute sketches from the bus (above) and train (below). 

Activities People Do, Sketching a Friend by Elisa Choi

Had a watercolor painting session with a friend. I teach her how to paint in watercolor. I sketched her while she was busily sketching her subject. She was concentrating hard on her drawing.

Activities People Do, Waiting in the Train by Elisa Choi

Inside the train station while waiting for their stops. Most are busy with their phone activities. 

Activities People Do, Reading on the Road by Elisa Choi

I actually met this elderly man twice in the bus in two separate weekends. He usually read something off his Ipad. Must be an interesting read in this long journey.

Activities People Do Inside or Outside, Eat and Buy by Elisa Choi

Foodcourt scene. The lady eating her noodles while two customers buying food nearby. Then there is the unfinished girl because I think she has just gone off. Sketching in pen though cannot erase serves as a record of movements and changes of the life around us. :)

All Kinds of Trees, Almost Bare Tree by Elisa Choi

Sketched this on location on a windy afternoon at Changi Coastal. I like how the branches are slowly being stripped bare while the remaining leaves still managed to hang in the branches.

Lovely trees all of you are sharing! Who doesn't like trees? I would hug them if only there are no ants in them! :)

All Kinds of Trees, Feathery Tree by Elisa Choi

The famous tree at the Upper Seletar Reservoir is this feathery tree and I sketched it on location admiring its feathery leaves and sturdy trunk. It is famous because it is the only tree on the spot near the water surrounded by some benches. Many couples had their photoshoots there.

Clothes and Shoes, Waiting by elisa choi

I sketched a row of people waiting for the train. Their diverse clothing intrigued me. Some are simple but others have various cuts and patterns.

Clothes & Shoes, Clean Clothes by Elisa Choi

Did the laundry yesterday and now I have clean clothes for the week ahead. T-shirts and jeans are one of my staple clothing but I prefer shorts for comfort especially during the warm weather.

Reference Photo, Bath Abbey by Elisa Choi

The beautiful details of Bath Abbey struck me and I decided to sketch it loosely in paint to simplify. I wish I had the time to paint all the wonderful photos that Lynn and Ann have shared. If this theme is finished will the gallery still be up? :) Thanks!

Favorite Meal, Steamed Chocolate Spongecake by Elisa Choi

Hello All! Starting this new theme of favorite meal or meal from cafe or restaurant (thanks Ann!) with a steamed chocolate spongcake. Husband and I had bought a steamer and we thought of making steamed cake when we saw it on a menu in a resto. It was kinda cool to see the batter rise up and become a cake. We have never baked before so we are clueless about flour etc. It was yummy for us! :D Anyway sharing the recipe (inspired from Kate from Scratch) here in case you want to try. :)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup wheat flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 tbsp. Hersheys cocoa powder
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp. sugar (natural unrefined cane sugar)
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Procedure:

1. Combine flour, baking powder and cocoa powder in a small bowl; whisk 20 times.
2. Put egg, sugar, milk, olive oil in another bowl; mix well until combined.
3. Combine the flour mixture and the egg mixture; mix well until smooth (Optional: Add additional ingredients like chocolate chips or nuts and mix until combined.)
4. Add the batter evenly inside small dishes or ramekins.
5. If you don’t have a steamer, this is how Kate From Scratch prepared it: In a large saute pan with a tight fitting lid over high heat, add water until two thirds filled.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer the water gently. 
6. Steam time depends on the size of the batter. If you divide it into 2-4 small dishes then the timing will be around 8 minutes. In our case we used a large bowl for the whole batter so the cook time will be around 11-13 minutes.
7. It is done when you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean without the wet batter.

Summer/Winter Madness, Unfailing Love by Elisa Choi

This painting was inspired by a photo from a friend who went to summer vacation at Gili Island in Indonesia. Felt like going to the beach right now for some rest!