On My Way Home
I live in Oxford, work in Oxford. It is the only city I’ve ever lived in the UK.
Since I started to pursue art, I have been painting a lot.
I realised I don’t want to paint from random photos taken by an unknown person if I get serious about my practice.
I want to paint from my very own photos, in which the subject means something to me.
Not to mention, using someone else’s photos might make things complicated, if the painting I created would eventually bring me income…
On My Way Home is an on-going series of the quiet street corner and my everyday route to and from home.
Reminding myself to appreciate the ordinary in the daily life.
As well as being inspired by the world famous facade from the Vatican, ancient temples in Egypt or Skyscrapers in New York…
I can also be inspired by places I walk past everyday, where I know how the bricks on the path look like, so well it has become too ordinary that I never paid attention.
Then I wonder, is it how we are when it comes to how we treat our loved ones? We get used to them so we became entitled to be loved, until one day that person passes away?
We don’t realise how well built the street we walk on countless times is until you read the news about a city being destroyed by war?
I’ll stop blabbering… You get what I mean.
This is where the real locations are on an actual map. I would like to do more, but so far these are the paintings in this series.
On My Way Home 2024
Acrylic on paper
21 X 29.7 cm
Original is available, contact me for more.
'Where is it?’
The picture above is Pembroke Square looking towards Pembroke College from the point of view standing just outside the Tom Tower.
If you’re standing in Pembroke Square, you would be facing Tom Tower on the other side of the street —— Like the next painting below.
Tom Tower, Christ Church College
2024
Acrylic on canvas
23.5 x 29.5cm SOLD
Art print available, click image to the shop.
Facing St Aldate’s, Tom Tower is the only thing you can see.
Tom Tower is one of the famous landmarks in Oxford, packed with tourists.
However, from where I’m standing, is a quiet corner at Pembroke Square, where I take a short cut to town.
When I created this painting, my thought was
'…No one is going to care where the view point is, as it is just somewhere I walk past everyday!…
Perhaps they would just be happy to see some part of Christ Church in this painting…
If they don’t mind the muted tones I insisted on using…
Anyway, I spent months to complete this, so I have to show it to the public…’
Walk all the way down the road, and you get near the location of this painting below.
Titled 6 PM, it hints the end of a workday.
6 PM
2024
acrylic on paper
29.7 x 21cm
Original is available, contact me for more.
Depicting the fleeting moment of sunset as seen through an office window.
Location can be found in the map above.
Cross the road and you will see Paperboat Cafe.
It is located on the road I must walk past on the way home.
This painting captures a sunny evening when all shops are closed. A quiet moment after working hours.
Paperboat
2024
Acrylic on paper
21 X 29.7 cm SOLD
Art print available, click image to the shop.
Keep walking on Folly Bridge, as well as I enjoy much of the beautiful view of River Thames, most of the time I usually captivated by the sun reflects on the building across the bridge.
The building of Folly Restaurant, it is buttery yellow in this painting, sometimes it can be pink during sunset…
Folly Restaurant
2024
Acrylic on paper
29.7 X 42 cm SOLD
Art print available, click image to the shop.
Look at the painting closely, you can see the infamous Bacon’s Tower. Why is it infamous? You do your research, I don’t want to ruin the fun.
Its history is as interesting as it looks.
Last one on the map, a boat yard by Folly Bridge, it has beautiful view on the River Thames.
One of my favourite spots.
Boat yard
2024
Acrylic on paper
21 X 29.7 cm
Art print available, click image to the shop.
Hope you enjoy reading the story behind my paintings, it is a joy explaining all this, especially doing this in person with some of you during the Art Weeks back in May.
I honestly hadn’t given much thought about this collection, I thought they are just very personal to me, and perhaps someone might find the paintings easy on the eyes.
I wouldn’t have thought the locations are also something you enjoy looking at on your way home.
It completed my original mission of creating these paintings, to remind people to pay attention to their so-called ordinary life.
It made me incredibly happy listening to your stories, It is such a big confidence boost.
Where do you want me to paint next for this series? What do you feel when you look at these paintings?
Please let me know via here or on instagram!
Thank you.