The Complete Crappopolis

In the visual arts, my weaknesses are many. Unable to draw straight lines, and perfectly incapable of producing dimensions and realistic sketches, I never once considered a vocation in the arts. Of recent times, however, I feel an odd, compelling attraction towards graphic design and illustration.

It is like finding a niche beyond the silver screen of this cyberworld, this act of poring over graphic designs produced by so many talented individuals1. It isn't merely their art, per se, that I am mesmerized by; it is the way they combine elements of type, pictures, and minimal words that ultimately ensnares me. It is one thing to be able to draw, but it is another to complete an illustration (either a book cover, poster, cards) that beckons people to it.

At the expense of sounding like a braggart, I must say that I have an eye for all things aesthetically pleasing. I, for example, take delight in driving around Kuala Lumpur with my dear Pok Chu and passing judgments on buildings upon buildings--new and old, contemporary or conventional, modern or not. This acumen I carry with me as I take in different forms of interior decorations and bag awesome finds in the fashion department. (Note that although I do not pride myself as a fashionista of some sort, I do maintain a certain level of acceptable fashion sense, I hope).

The same applies to the neo-art I take interest in now. My eyes--like a hawk's--quickly find works that work; my heart leaps with awe over the splendor; but my non-existent skills simply can't emulate. Yes, I will never be quite the artist, neither with my bare hands nor the help of softwares. As such, The Complete Crappopolis2 is a testament to my sans talent.

But we can all dream, can't we? In the meantime, let me continue my sojourn into the world of graphic novels3 and my established habit of stalking illustration blogs.

1 See Perempuan Jomblo, Emilia's Illustrated Blog and Saharil Conteng.

2 My ugly (but fun) spin-off from Marjane Satrapi's The Complete Persepolis (Completed Winter 2008, for HUMA 141, Reading Cultures).

3 For those who, like me, wish to delve into graphic novels, I highly recommend Palestine by Joe Sacco, Alison Bechdel's Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic and Satrapi's other works.