Recommended graphic novels for this
week:
Skim (Mariko and Jillian Tamaki):
Just like watching Juno or Somersault on pages, that's all I would
say. A bitter fragment of an teenage outsider whose strangeness and
isolation simply remind me of my horrid puberty.
I fell in love with Jillian
Tamaki's
artistic techniques after reading this
book and started
following her blog,
which made me admire her even more.
Her blog is
a roller coaster adventure
filled with interesting events, random
sketches as well as thoughts, shared
experience and lovely comments
of
Tamaki for her students. As a artist, she
is inspirational for her
flexibility
with various approaches and mediums,
who is never tired
of trying out new
things– a work ethnic and an
unconventional mind
that are worth
taking example from.
-
The Nao of Brown (Glyn Dillon): I
finished this book today after 2-hour reading straight and closed
the book with a smile on my face. Nao in the story reminds me so
much of myself; first we are both Asians and enjoy wearing red coats
(ha!), then a hidden suffering from insecurities and self loathing
covered by constant smiles in presence. Moreover, Nao also struggles
with her severe OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) that even puts
her into more of a challenge to live a normal, happy life...
Dillon's artworks also enhance the sharpness and poignancy of the
book, panels merged in subtle watercoloured images and fine pen
outlines.
Another doodle from my sketchbook:
Apart from reading good stuff this
week, Sleepy Hallow by Tim Burton
really disappoints me as it's just merely a slasher movie with lots
of pretty costumes and fantasy backgrounds. In a way, I guess
Burton's stunning art direction (as always) really saves this movie
from being rated as a sheer cheap piece of horror.
Woody Allen's Annie Hall
is a lovely film though, truly saved my weekend from watching the
movie above. Such joys listening to delightful, witty dialogues as
well as enjoying the ride of love found-love lost roller coaster!
