Connect with me here
Recent Posts
New video about lustre painting and magazine articleThe other week I posted a video explaining the techniques and… »
Porcelain painting and other arts in ThailandThe second post in a series about my trip to Thailand last year.… »
My porcelain feature in Swiss magazine Art and PorcelaineI'm sharing another magazine feature of my award winning porcelain… »
My porcelain feature in DECOR-magasinet from NorwayLast month I was interviewed by Editor Margrete Tennfjord for a four… »
Floating in my freedom, Abstract expressionism on porcelainFinally finished this new painting on porcelain this week, "Floating… »
Expressionist landscapes on canvas and updatesI've been really productive over the past few weeks, I've been… »
We are Soldiers of Love, Ingrid Lee, 2013 porcelain vaseI started this porcelain painting We are Soldiers of Love, late last… »
Challenge of abstract expressionist lustre on porcelainThe challenge of abstract expressionist lustre on porcelain is where… »
Finishing and starting new projects on porcelainIt's been busy few weeks, so I haven't had much chance to paint… »
Demo via skype in St PetersburgIt was 4.30 am in Melbourne and I presented a ribbon embroidery… »
Abstract expressionism on porcelain
Progress of lustre painting on porcelain
What’s on my mind
Porcelain painting and other arts in Thailand
The second post in a series about my trip to Thailand last year. I’ve put together a video to share with you, the porcelain paintings and other arts I saw in Thailand.
I’ve made a video about the trip (nothing flashy, I’m still experimenting with an i-phone app called Splice- despite the info on this site, this app works on my iphone 5).
For me this part of any of my art trips, is the best! I get to meet so many talented people, and I only wish that we had been able to see the Thai porcelain painters make demonstrations at this event…this was one of the big reasons why I came to this exhibition! So I tried to make my own learning journey from this, and see and learn as much as I could in the short time we had. The art work in Thailand covers so many styles yet it is also, distinctly Thai- you’ll see what I mean; and I love the bright and intense colours too. Thai artistry can go from bold lines, to the most intricate of detail, but there is always a warmth and great heart that I feel looking at the paintings and other art and handcrafts by skilled artisans.
The trip started with a visit to Benjarong Village, I was lucky to have purchased some hand painted porcelain from two award winning artists at the TIPP convention 2012. I still have one more video to make about a really special painting I purchased! The interesting part of traditional Thai painting is that all of the design is painted in liquid bright gold (10%), it’s dried, then the powdered pigments are mixed with water to the consistency of runny cream, and painted in the spaces. This dries, and it’s fired. All of the work is completed in one firing. There was a demonstration booth at the convention, where I got to have a go at painting in this style- you’ll see my effort on the video 
I loved all of the other exhibits at the Bangsai Arts and Craft Centre (The SUPPORT Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand) SACICT. It was a wonderful collection of modern and some traditional art work, including porcelain, silk, clothing, giftware, wooden carvings, other fabric textiles. I really enjoyed visiting the art information section of the gallery where they explained the processes of silk making and porcelain and ceramic decoration.
Here’s the video:
Read more about my trip to Thailand 2012 called Tours, events and hairy pancakes in Thailand.
Thanks for watching. Please share this post if you think your friends will like it too. I can’t wait to go back to Thailand again…
My porcelain feature in Swiss magazine Art and Porcelaine
I’m sharing another magazine feature of my award winning porcelain vase in Thailand (see here), this time, my porcelain painting is featured in Art and Porcelaine from Switzerland. I’ve got some more magazine features coming up over the next few months, within Australia, the US and Norway again (see last publication).
It was lovely to meet Patrice Frass and the lovely Marie Claire Frass in Thailand, thank you for publishing about my painting!
You can subscribe to this magazine at Art and Porcelaine
My other award winning plate in Thailand
Tours, events and hairy pancakes in Thailand
Finally I have time to sit and write about my amazing week in Thailand last year. During the 8-11 November 2012, I was invited as a guest artist by artist, Helga Jaermann (Painting Teacher at the Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre, and notable master in porcelain painting for over 40 years), to exhibit my porcelain paintings at the Thailand International Porcelain Painting Convention in honour of the Queen Sirikit’s 80th birthday celebrations. I won some awards, if you haven’t seen them, they are here, and here. So what else happened on this trip? HEAPS!!!!!! I’ve decided to write three posts one about the art and artists in Thailand, another about an award winning Thai artist who I also bought an artwork from, and this one about Tours, events and hairy pancakes! I’m going to do a picture story style post with a little bit of description, there are a few videos too…pictures tell more than me writing- and I could go on and on, believe me! It was a fantastic experience, and I plan to go back again in the very near future.
Artists Ingrid Lee and Yumiko Kanazawa
If you’d like a thorough detail of this trip day by day, please read my dear friend and sister Yumiko Kanazawa’s blogpost about our trip- we travelled together on this trip. Yumi is a Japanese artist, she won an award too, I love the story behind her paintings and the wonderfully creative journey she is on.
I really want to learn her kutani painting, I plan to travel to Japan to learn kutani painting with Yumi and her Master, and see more about Yumi’s integration of East meets West painting.
Thailand 2012
We stayed at Dream Hotel, Bangkok…the hotel was fantastic, all of the staff were wonderfully friendly and helpful, we had a very pleasurable stay. The restaurant food was really great…good atmosphere for late night drinks too. It is very hot in Thailand, but the hotel was totally air conditioned without fail!
Photo courtesy Dream Hotel website
Views outside of our hotel room
DAY 1:
After a 1+ hour bus ride we arrived at Donkaidee Benjarong Village
I will show more of the artwork from this award winning porcelain painting gallery and studio in the next post. At this venue, you can stay and study with the artists here also! Something to think about maybe for the next trip Yumiko? There are many places in Thailand, with posters and paintings of the beautiful Queen Sirikit, I can see why her people love her so much, and her smile exudes such warmth and friendliness, which is seen in all the people I met with.
Photo courtesy Nielia Ferrier
Very large hand painted wall tile
On the riverboat, thankful for the cool breeze and wonderful entertainment form the musicians and dancers! Did I mention Thailand was hot?
We ate a wonderful banquet lunch on the river…
This is a short video I took of an internal waterfall at the lunch venue….I want this in my studio! Can you imagine such luxury in a workplace?? How relaxing and inspiring…..a dream!
King Rama II Memorial Park gardens….beautiful~
We then visited a temple and training ground…
Later that evening we attended the opening ceremony…and met BOND!!!!! Bond Malikaew paints on porcelain as well, and has a very interesting alla prima method 
his works are very expressive. Bond was an awesome host, and friend to us both, we hope to catch up with him again soon on our travels.
Later that evening, Bond took Yumi and I to the Hotel Sirroco...AMAZING place!!!!! is all I can say…thank you Bond 
. I loved the skybar! It was a fantastic evening after a really busy day…and we still continued on into the early morning at some fun places.
DAY 2: At TIPP 2012 Bangsai
We actually did a lot on this day, but I’m saving these stories for my next blog post. Here is the TIPP convention in Bangsai, at The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT).
Day 3- Guest artist Lunch, Tour to a temple and hairy pancakes
Helga Jaermann, Patrice Frass (editor of Magazine Art and Porcelaine), and me- Thailand Porcelain Convention 2012. In this photo you can see a little pin which Helga and I are wearing, I was presented with this pin for being a guest artist. You can see more of the Thailand Trip, paintings by Yumi and myself, and other art works from the whole event in the Magazine Art and Porcelaine.
I actually bought this painting by award winning artist (plate here in the photo below)…you can read more about that and see the video soon. Here, I’m speaking to the interpreter. I spent most of this day talking to artists and shopping….I know that doesn’t surprise you Yes I bought one pair of shoes- slip on ones, because I got nasty blisters and foot swelling from the heat, so my little black patent leather flats were quite useless for comfort. In saying that I still painfully squeezed my feet in the gold strappy shoes for the Royal Gala Award dinner and presentations- as you do!
Later that day, the feature and guest artists were invited to a special lunch at the Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre. The food and hospitality was wonderful, and a great venue also. We got to see lots of Thai artwork, including some contemporary art- you’ll these photos in my next post (sorry, there’s not enough room in this post!) Here is just the start of the banquet, the whole table was filled with delicious spicy and hot dishes, fish, lobster, soup…too much to mention.
Some of the feature and guest artists from the lunch….(left) Yumiko Kanazawa, Helga Jaermann, Rocio Borobia, Me, Marie-Clarie Frass, Sudasamorn Suwancharoen , Joerg Kugelmeier, Erika Bemme, Di Curtin, Nelia Ferreira and Beatriz Ramirez.
Wat Yai Chaya Mongkol (The Great Temple of Auspicious Victory), Ayudhaya, Thailand.
After the lunch we were taken in small groups to a Buddhist temple, which was known as the Royal temple, when Ayudhaya was the capital city back in 1350. This temple has great historical significance, it was the seat of Buddhist patriarchs and monks who practices meidation and insight. This temple was named after the Victory of the King Naresuan the Great over the Burmese invasion in 1593. I absolutely loved this part of the day and the trip. For me going to any spiritual place always gives me a deep sense of inner peace and calm. These places for me have different energy and resonance which I feel as soon as I enter them- maybe it’s just me. Whether it was in cathedrals in St Petersburg or Moscow, local cathedrals and churches in Australia, and the Buddhist temple here in Thailand, I always receive a great sense of calm and peace. This was a wonderful opportunity to be thankful for my journeys, and pray for my family and friends and make that time for quietening the mind and spirit. I love having the porcelain painting of the Buddha in my home- I find it to be a meditative point in my home to use throughout the day, and brings happy memories, and takes me back the quiet I experienced at this temple.
NEXT! more food
Hairy pancakes that’s what I called them anyway….these are a fruit flavoured crepe batter- banana, kiwi,vanilla (I think) and some other fruit. The pancakes are soooo delicious on their own, but then it gets better, you fill them with flavoured and coloured fairy floss (more like persian fairy floss texture). The floss resembles the texture of silk strands. You then assemble like a filled crepe, roll it up and eat! These were freshly cooked and still a little warm, Yumi and I loved them…I ate all of mine, I assure you I was thinking of you all
Yumi, I was tempted to show that picture…..but I didn’t
Day 4- Awards and Gala Dinner
A BUSY day and evening. Most of the morning was spent doing promotional photos and more shopping (of course!)
Ingrid Lee, Yumiko Kanazawa, Marie Claire Frass, Di Curtin, a great photo of the morning when the awards were announced for the porcelain competition.
Di Curtin was one of the Feature Artists at TIPP, she is the Australasian President of APAT and together with her committee in New South Wales, is organising the next Australasian Exhibition & Convention in Sydney in October 2013. You can see the painting of Australian flannel flowers in her contemporary style, which Di presented for auction in honour of the Queen of Thailand’s Birthday, see Di’s photo and the APAT fan page. I look forward to seeing many of you at this event, I will be doing some demonstrations there- more about this later.
Below is Chakrawut Phongkraisrisiri, Helga Jaermann, and Karom Boontem. These are her award winning students from the Bangsai Painting Station, for the TIPP 2012, you can see their winning paintings and my vase far right.
Later that evening…….the big event! Here, Bond and I…actually our hair is almost matching- and our clothing compliments too (he a purple coloured sash band)…really the three of us matched! This was only the start of tonnes of publicity photos for the evening, I was really surprised at how special and BIG this event really was. I’m still amazed.
Ingrid Lee and His Excellency The Privy Counsellor, Thailand…Here I am talking about my two award winning paintings at the vernissage, prior to accepting the award.
Here I am saying thankyou “Kob Khun Ka” to His Excellency for listening to my Vernissage.
Receiving one of my awards….we had to rehearse the formal acceptance and curtsy.
Can I explain the hair issue, which is bugging me in all of these photos….humidity, a tiny can of hairspray and heat, and I’ll repeat humidity again with curly hair do not mix. I needed more hairspray, and you can only take tiny cans on the plane, and I couldn’t get these little cans with super stayfix lacquer…for those of you who know me really well, you’ll understand my need to make this comment.
New friendships were made during this trip, and I can’t wait to catch up with many of these lovely people again. Here I am with Sudasamorn Suwancharoen, a lovely woman, and was very hospitable and welcoming. I love her bright coloured clothing throughout the week…her silk suits were impeccable.
Me, Yumi, Ivonne Planos, Audney Thuestad, Helga Jaermann
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about my trip to Thailand. The next blog post will be about some of the artists I met with and beautiful art works and handicrafts I saw, and there’ll be one more after that featuring videos with the artist who painted the Buddha plate I purchased…so make sure you catch the newsfeed of follow me on my networks (top left of page).
I’d love to hear what you think about this trip, please leave your comments or share this blog post with your friends, click on the social networks below! Thanks
“Nature of Orb Spiders,” Ingrid Lee 2012, porcelain vase.
I totally enjoyed researching, designing and painting this porcelain vase, which I titled “Nature of Orb Spiders.” This painting was exhibited in the non competition International exhibit of the TIPP 2012. As discussed in a previous blog post, I wanted to paint these beautiful spiders on to a vase….but I had to wait to find the perfect shape. When I saw the porcelain blank for this vase, I knew this was the one! It was the shape of the porcelain blank which formed the design and composition…a continuous flowing form, which suggests the cycle of life…and thus the nature of the orb spider. It had a natural form which also suggested the habitat or environment for this spider, and it would enable me to create little snap shots of their life, hunting, spiderlings hatching, building webs, looking for adventures in a new day, busy work at the evening and so on. I wanted to create an atmospheric design which showcased the productivity and “nature” of these spiders, and so used many layers of lustre paintings and gold paste work for the design. In total there were 9 firings for this painting, in order to build up the translucent layers of painting and control the effects and technique of the lustre application.
“Nature of Orb Spiders” Ingrid Lee, porcelain vase 45.7 cm, 2012.
This side of the vase shows a large portrait of an orb spider which has caught a darker reflection, it is actually painted entirely in platinum (the large dark webs at the top of the vase are also platinum), with only some black lustre pen work for shading and burnishing gold paint for detail light areas. You can see a better image of the platinum colour about two photos below this one. I used the technique of platinum for the web and burnishing gold ‘blending’ out in areas, as I described in my other spider painting. The use of negative space on this side of the vase was really important to add life and light to the overall composition. The leaf motive above the spider is continued on the other side of the vase.
The top section of this side shows spiders busy at night, building webs, I’ve used many layers of lustres to create an evening time atmosphere, and the contrast of gold paste spiderlings works well here. All of the webs are in platinum and burnishing gold.
Orb spider painted on porcelain, Ingrid Lee
The mid section of this side
“Nature of Orb Spiders” Ingrid Lee, porcelain vase 45.7 cm, 2012.
Other side of the vase
“Nature of Orb Spiders” Ingrid Lee, porcelain vase 45.7 cm, 2012.
Paste orb spider with enamel detail, painted with burnishing gold. The leaf imprints are lustre with gold and platinum highlights.
“Nature of Orb Spiders” Ingrid Lee, porcelain vase 45.7 cm, 2012.
I really enjoyed creating the spiderlings. I came across this image of glitter on pinterest a month or so ago….
….and this looked to me like spider eggs, and when I found images of orb spiderlings, they are little golden spiders, which was a perfect way to create the natural evolution of spider eggs hatching into spiderlings painted in gold which then become little spiders in paste; and again the shape of the vase creates a natural flow for the design to merge from.
Photo courtesy Curbstone Valley Farm
What is next? Well, I paint this style of art works purely out of interest, they aren’t part of my main exhibition work, and are a good break away from commissions and exhibition paintings. Maybe I’ll paint redback spiders again, but I’m interested in painting bats or snakes next….I’ll just wait for the right porcelain piece to come along
Have you seen the other paintings which I exhibited or won awards (another award) for in Thailand?
Award for Orchid Vase in Thailand 2012
The exhibition in Thailand 8-11th November 2012 was a fantastic experience which I will write more about over the next week, including opening ceremonies, and other artists I met during this trip…but I know that many of you are waiting to see better pics of my paintings. I won the “Outstanding 2nd Class Award” for the Freestyle contest, which was my orchid vase (read more about planning my paintings for this contest). This event was to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s 80th Birthday with the Thailand International Porcelain Painting Convention (TIPP 2012). I was presented with a bronze pin at the Royal Gala Presentation evening….we had to rehearse for the formal acceptance- for which I would have liked a little more time to practice my curtsy in strapped heels in a long gown, without falling over but it all went smoothly! I really enjoyed the opportunity to present my work at a vernissage to HR Highness Queen Sirikit’s Representative (HR Highness the Queen was unable to attend), H.E. the Privy Councillor and other Ministers, along with the other winners. The whole event was amazing, we were unable to take photos or videos as there are publicity productions which will be made available to us later. So I only have photos of before and after. Enjoy the photos!
A nice surprise Sunday morning….
Me with my winning painting of Orchids on porcelain vase at the convention….later that evening was the Royal Gala event and presentations
Rehearsals!!!
Prize winners waiting for H.E. the Privy Councillor to show him their works (in front, some prize winning porcelain from the Bangsai team)
Later that evening…..
After accepting my award at the TIPP 2012
Close up of the award….
Bronze pin embossed with HR Highness Queen Sirikit for “Outstanding 2nd Class Award” for the Freestyle contest, Ingrid Lee.
One of many publicity shots…
Ok….here’s the vase!!! All lustre work with platinum detail on white flowers, paste work and burnishing gold. This vase took a total of 9 firings to complete, titled ”Orchids- Purity of Love,” Ingrid Lee 2012, 40.6cm.
Award winning porcelain vase, “Orchids- Purity of Love,” Ingrid Lee 2012, 40.6cm.
Award winning porcelain vase, “Orchids- Purity of Love,” Ingrid Lee 2012, 40.6cm.
Award winning porcelain vase, “Orchids- Purity of Love,” Ingrid Lee 2012, 40.6cm.
Award winning porcelain vase, “Orchids- Purity of Love,” Ingrid Lee 2012, 40.6cm.
A close up….
See my other award winning porcelain plate at the TIPP 2012, click here.
Other plates I exhibited at the TIPP 2012, click here
Painting of First Night in St Petersburg….Step by step
This is another of the 13 paintings I’ll be taking for my exhibition…so I thought I’d share with you the step by step photos so you can see the development of the painting. This painting was totally inspired by the photo I took during my first evening in St Petersburg, Russia, see more on this blog post.
The finished artwork (it is still difficult to capture the transparency of the layers of gold work with a camera).
"First evening in St Petersburg," 2012. Ingrid Lee, Acrylic on canvas, 76.5cm x 61cm.
This painting is one of delight and wonder as the magic and life of this city sparkled before me. I love the technique of using gold paint as a beautiful metallic base for my artwork and I also mix this rich hue with other colours to highlight the energy and light of a subject.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Close up of finished painting:
See what I’m teaching in St Petersburg!
Just a quick post to show you what I’ll be teaching in my masterclasses for ribbon embroidery in St Petersburg, Russia. I will be teaching at Maria Shiliner’s beautiful boutique Needlework DeLuxe in St Petersburg. It is wonderful to share and show my art as a guest artist, and is a wonderful stepping stone for my work here in Australia.
The first course is of roses and forget-me-nots, inspired by the rococo artwork I visited at Catherine’s Palace when I went to Russia last October. The roses are almost life size, the whole design is 22 cm x 32cm. Each flower is hand built with dyed silk ribbons, and the leaves are ribbon stitched onto a lovely blue damask fabric- I fell in love with the Blue Room at Catherine’s palace (here is the video I made)
This is the other course- I’ve just used my promo flyer I designed the other day…..You might remember this piece from earlier posts, again hand built roses and pansies with silk ribbons..the original art work was sold at Christmas.
I’m looking forward to teaching these projects and seeing Maria and all of her beautiful ribbons, and especially meeting more people who are passionate about ribbon embroidery and sharing ideas!
Ideas for St Petersburg at night paintings
A truly magical experience, my first night in St Petersburg after a 30 hour flight! Anyway…I would like to do two compositions of this image St Petersburg at night, one on canvas and the other in lustre work on porcelain. The curve of the buildings on the second image makes for a more interesting design.
Remembering some of my first evening in St Petersburg..the buildings are of note to perhaps an allegorical compostion…not sure yet.
I remember bare feet in the square below- but only for a moment…it was cold….those platform shoes killed my feet and I had useless stockings!
Preparation for my Russian exhibition Part 2
Preparation for my Russian exhibition Part 2, a collection of my thoughts, poems, journal notes during my trip to St Petersburg, how this trip impacted on me and got me thinking differently- love metacognition The photos in this post trigger certain things for me, so they may not reflect what is written.
It was the coldest day during my train ride to Tsarskoye Selo, Pushkin and I had time to reflect and process about how my trip to Russia was impacting upon me and trying to understand my experience. This time was about half way through my short trip to St Petersburg, but I had experienced so much concentrated in a short time- people, sites, art, ballet, a different life…I was an active participant in my journey, not just an observer.
Movement of Change, Ingrid Lee
The movement of change,
To be in a place within oneself where you can be you.
Not fear being you.
Not pretending to please or impress.
To accept yourself and just allow things to be as they are.
Not to push for more, but allow it to occur.
It is how it is.
All fine.
”Overall, this was a journey upon which I tried not to have too many expectations- but this was difficult! How can I not be excited to come home, yet leave home?? An interesting state of happiness upon the notion of Coming home and leaving home.”
“I think that this journey is the catalyst I need to lift myself and move up and out of my mire. Because really there are a lot of attachments- not all mine which are lingering without real purpose…and the biggest part of this is that I have the time and space to sit back and get fulfillment, which has allowed me to digest and process the rest of my constraints and what is important. My mind is racing though while I write, and behind the words is like a subliminal dynamism of fractal connections as look and see the local people on the train, reading, being, the colours, smells, and energy.
I have had the time to think about what is important to me, and what is hindering my time away from my creativity. In my head I hear Neil Finn singing “Stripping back the coats no lies and deceptions…back to nothingness like a week in the desert.”
so now it is emerging….I need to make changes, do it, live it to create it and fulfill it.”
“The smallest things which are done for us can fill the biggest part of our heart.” Ingrid Lee
Inspiration from Catherine’s Palace, Russia
Every sight, smell and sound of St Petersburg was inspirational, and stirred my creativity to write poetry, draw sketches and ideas, so much so that each evening was spent sorting out my photo journals across twitpic albums and facebook in an attempt to organise my thoughts for later.
However there was one place which evoked a different feeling and inspiration, Catherine’s Palace. I had a great sense of calm despite the opulence and decadence of the many rooms dedicated to artworks, antiques and ‘palace life.’ Maybe my sense of calm was due to a consistent state of amazement and wonder at the splendour of the gardens and grounds and grandeur of the palace
 |
 |
 |
 |
But, there was one room which totally amazed me, at first I thought it was the mirrored ball room….
Ingrid Lee in the Mirror ball room
A very unglamourous photo of me….but I had to take photos somehow!!!…and yes I know, the shoe covers are stunning
But then I walked into the Amber Room. Here is a special photo of me in the Amber Room, a complete chamber decoration of amber panels backed with gold leaf and mirrors. This photo is special not only because of the beauty of the room itself, but because photos are not allowed to be taken- obviously I didn’t take it, so I’m still a good girl but I greatly thank my friend for taking this picture all the same That room was simply breathtaking…walls, floors, ceiling, artwork…amber has such a magical sensation.
So how will this visit to Catherine’s Palace influence my artwork? These are photos which trigger ideas for me at the moment….
Largely colour, decoration and opulence are the main themes….
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
And I just had to end this post with Catherine the Great herself!
This dress was stunning!!! It’s the same dress she’s wearing in the painting (left). The colours and materials used were amazing…and to think I walked through the palace where she did!!!!