Dream come true for Rafie Rahman

Dream come true - Rafie with his yet-to-be-completed Trafalgar Square piece in acrylic.

Two years ago, Rafie Rahman confided in me that he wanted to one day visit England, the birth place of British watercolour. However, he almost got to realise his dream two years ago, when his painting was selected to be taken to the London during the Malaysia Week. However, he did not get to go there.

In July this year, his prayers were answered. He was among five Malaysian artists, watercolourists to be specific, to be invited to show their works at the Potters' Field in London between July and August. It was a trip Rafie had been waiting for and got to go.

When I met him recently, I could see the distinct change in his style. Dabbling still in the aqua medium - not watercolour but acrylic - he has produced several pieces of work of landscape when he was in UK.

As you can see in the picture here, he is happily showing his Trafalgar Square piece which he has yet to complete. The colours are stunning and although hardly considered a completed first stage, the shapes are beginning to show.

This is why I think artists should go abroad and expose themselves to a foreign land. All artists need that exposure to do well, or improve on their current techniques. Without that kind of exposure, and chance to visit foreign art galleries, artists will only be confined to the local influences where art experience is concerned.


Want this piece? Get in touch with Rafie for the pricing.

MRCB Art Awards Competition - If You Wish To Take Part

Malaysian artists take note. Here's your chance to show your skills and perhaps bag some cash and recognition. A total of RM100,000 are up for grabs and there are several categories offered by this conglomerate, including for schools and the handicapped. You may paint in the various medium, including watercolours.

The theme:
ALAM SEKITAR KITA, MASA DEPAN SEMUA
(Our Environment, Our Future)

Entries can be submitted from Sept 15 and competition closes Oct 15. To find out more, check out its website here

Editor's Note 1:
Unfortunately, there is no English translation for the competition listed on the website. You will have to get someone to translate the competition rules which are written in Malay for you if you decide to take part).

Editor's Note 2:
Watercolourists who want to take part will have to work on a much bigger paper than they used to - a minimum of 4ft by 4ft (48in square) or about 121cm x 121cm. As far as this amateur artist knows, there is no such paper being sold unless you buy by the roll. Sad to note here is that if you do not use that size, you will be disqualified as stated in the rules that I am producing here:

KATEGORI 1 : TERBUKA
Bahantara : Cat minyak/Akrilik/Cat air/Campuran atas kanvas atau kertas
Ukuran/Saiz : Minimum (4 kaki X 4 kaki)Hadiah : Hadiah tempat pertama - RM10,000.00 & Sijil
Hadiah tempat kedua - RM8,000.00 & Sijil
Hadiah tempat ketiga - RM6,000.00 & Sijil
5 hadiah saguhati - RM1,000.00 & Sijil
*10 karya lain yang terpilih akan menerima hadiah penghargaan bernilai RM500.00 & Sijil.
KATEGORI 2 : SEKOLAH MENENGAH RENDAH

and

Borang Penyertaan: Semua penyertaan mestilah disertakan dengan Borang Penyertaan dan Borang Pelepasan Hakmilik yang telah lengkap diisi. Pelajar-pelajar sekolah menengah tidak boleh menyertai Kategori Terbuka. Penyertaan yang tidak memenuhi syarat & peraturan pertandingan akan terbatal secara automatik. Salinan fotokopi borang penyertaan diterima.

It would look like from the last rule, if you want to take part, you will need at least a 4ft by 4ft paper or be automatically disqualified. And to do that, you would have to patch up two pieces of traditional 72cm x 56 cm standard sized paper. How would one paint in traditional watercolour, on such a paper, would be interesting. Perhaps the organisers can explain to artists here.

Editor's Note 3:
For those who expect to win but did not, also understand that your works may be auctioned and sold for charity without the organisers being obliged to inform you or give you any of the proceeds. This is as stated here in the regulations, in Malay:

Penjualan Hasil Karya: Pihak penganjur juga berhak untuk mempamerkan, melelong ataupun menjual hasil karya yang menang serta yang terpilih untuk tujuan kebajikan tanpa memberikan sebarang notis atau tuntutan bayaran kepada peserta.

And you also cannot ask for any royalty or payment, as stated here:

Hakmilik Karya: Dengan menyertai pertandingan ini, setiap peserta bersetuju untuk memberi hakmilik karya kepada pihak penganjur, tidak boleh menuntut atau mengenakan sebarang bayaran royalti terhadap sebarang penerbitan dan pihak penganjur berhak menggunakan hasil karya tersebut dalam apa jua cara sekalipun termasuk dalam mana-mana media di seluruh dunia.

Apart from the limitations above, for the Open Category, you are allowed up to send three pieces for judging, which increases your chances of winning - if you are good enough.

Oh, for school children taking part, you cannot participate in the Open caregory.