Zene looks pretty much like a normal human being. However, there is more to her than her physical appearance. By night, she mysteriously morphs into a butterfly. Even though Zene isn't quite sure of her metamorphosis, she enjoys her time as a butterfly more than anything else. She adores flying around with her bunch of butterflies, undisturbed and free. However, there are times when Humans gets in her way; trying to trap her up in a bottle. This explains why she loathes Humans.

She lives with Munkey; her stuff monkey that she found lying at the back alley somewhere near her house location. Ever since then, Munkey has been her only companion. Together, they live in a weird-looking hut at a very isolated place in New York.

Zene's existence started during the Art Nouveau period. During that era, board games and toys were in mass production; and Chess was one of Zene's favourite games. It is the only other possession she treasures and is proud of. Hence, she forces Munkey to play a game with her almost everyday.
Posted by Munkey at 11:33 PM 3 comments
- Characteristics of the Designer's Work -

Hector Guimard is known for his flowing; 'whiplash' curves. Though many Art Nouveau designers included curves and natural references in their designs (e.g flowers, stems, etc); Hector Guimard abstracted these organic forms and manifested them as wild and untamed. Hence, instead of using neat and proper lines for my layout, I gave it a messier look so as to point out Hector Guimard's 'wild and untamed' fashion of work.

Also, Hector Guimard largely abandoned the notion of symmetry and geometrical idealization of nature in his work; which is why I came up with the idea of the asymmetrical shape at the top of my layout.

- The Layout -

Starting from the top of my layout, it is rather obvious that I've made use of the Art Nouveau; as well as Hector Guimard's style, to create a flowing curve effect. I placed it in a way such that it forms an asymmetrical shape; which is what Hector Guimard designs possessed. Also, this has a relation to my character: Zene, who hates anything that is symmetrical. As you scroll down the journal, it brings you to the bottom of my layout; which ends off with yet another organic form, as well as Zene's signature.

- The Colours -

The colours used here are rather muted and pale as I was inspired to use some of the common colours found during the Art Nouveau period. During the Art Nouveau period, new colours were developed which was paler than normal so as to lighten up the environment; in contrast to the Victorian period. Black was used in a very restrained way; as it contrasted well with the white used for most of the woodwork.

[Some colours used during the Art Nouveau era]

Bricks & Brass: Art Nouveau Colour. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from
http://www.bricksandbrass.co.uk/deselem/colour/colouran.htm

Hence, , I chose a pale beige background colour. The black strokes and text contrasted well with the background colour. At the same time, it makes reading more comfortable.

- The Character -

Zene is an example of my style applied. From another style of mine, I have created 'Munkey' - a stuff monkey; which Zene carries around no matter where she goes. The reason for Munkey's creation is so that it acts like a companion for Zene, showing a glimpse of Zene's other side - her sense of insecurity.

Furthermore, as I've mentioned above, Zene loves her set of chess to bits. Hence, I thought I should display some of her chess pieces for all to see. The addition of the Chess game indicates her competitive behaviour. As she had only gain knowledge of her own existence during the late 19th century; also known as the postwar period, the Chess board acts as a plotting graph for her to train her defending skills.

Posted by Munkey at 2:07 AM 0 comments

My Style

Personally, I don't really have a specific style that I stick to. Nevertheless, I do have a liking in Anime/Manga drawing. I can't say I'm very good at it, but I thought I'll give it a try. Hence, Zene was created. Another side of my style would be small cartoon-like drawings; especially animal related type. Munkey has been created a few months ago, during one of my random doodlings. Here are some of my past works.

Posted by Munkey at 2:05 AM 0 comments

Monday, August 13, 2007

Hector Guimard

Hector Germain Guimard; a french architect, was born on March 10, 1867. He attended the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris where he became acquainted with the theories of Eugène Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc. He got inspired during his trip in Brussels, where he visited the Hôtel Tassel designed by Victor Horta. Greatly influenced by him, Hector Guimard brought the 'whiplash' style to greater heights.

His design of the Castel Béranger made him famous, and soon, he had many other commissions.

The architectural and decorative works of Hector Guimard are characterized by flowing, unusual lines, vibrant curves and essential shapes underlined by light and contrast of the different materials used, such as wood, iron and stone. They are the ideal example of the organic and floral Art Nouveau Style in France, and his would later be known as the "Guimard Style".

As Hector Guimard was toward industrial standardization, he wished to radiate the new art on a large scale. His greatest success was his well-known entrances to the Paris Metro.

In spite of his talent and designs; the public and media quickly grew tired of his personality. By 1942, Guimard died in New York; being completely forgotten. It was only during the 1960s, when his style got rediscovered by scholars. Ever since then, he has been the subject of much research.

References
Hector Guimard. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from
http://www.geocities.com/hectorguimard/
files/html/start.html

Hector Guimard. (2007, July 15). In Wikipedia,
The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:30, August 14, 2007, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=
Hector_Guimard&oldid=144757374

Hector Guimard Biography. Retrieved August 14, 2007, from
http://www.senses-artnouveau.com/biography.php?artist=GUI

Posted by Munkey at 3:10 PM 1 comments