My Life: The Struggles of an ArtiststeemCreated with Sketch.

in caricature •  7 years ago  (edited)

Student’s Life


I still vividly remember my student days, when life is a constant struggle. I was an art student that studied abroad. I was enrolled in a Design School in Wanganui, New Zealand on a scholarship. Our scholarship expenses was barely enough to cover rent and expenses. Art material and stationeries for our art project were too expensive and most of us except for a few, were left without much to spend by mid of the month.

To make ends meet, most of us took up part-time job such as picking apples and strawberries or work at the local fast food joints. There were times when we missed out on our rent and received numerous warnings from our Landlord. Eating only a meal a day become a common practice.

My Venture into Caricature


This is a tearjerker till today, but it reminds me of my struggles. I have waited behind K-Mart supermarket for the disposal of expired bread. This fed me and my housemate while we await for our next allowance. My survival instinct took over. I found an art and craft market around the corner. I met my senior who was drawing portrait there. He earned good money. I asked if I can join him. That was how I became a caricature artist.

cari1.jpg

Malaysia’s Caricature Scene


Back in Malaysia 20 years ago, caricature was something new. I met with the pioneer such as Mr. Ambio and Mr. Don who were plying their trade in the streets of Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. They were awesome people. Job do not always come frequently and there are times when I am without any job. They asked me to join them in their social event. That was when I discovered that I truly enjoy meeting new and creative people.

cari2.jpg

13.jpg

I guess @anasgallery also shares the same problem that I had faced in the past. I actually love what I am doing although it does not always return monetary rewards like how we wished it would. That was why I turned to teaching as my main source of income.

Caricaturing Life


People say you can reduce emotions and pen it on canvas. I felt that could not be more true. When I drew faces, I learnt about their personalities. I remember drawing a beautiful lady who looked cheerful but I felt there is a deep seated sadness in her. I drew a couple that was so much in love that it felt like they were the only two souls left in the world. I drew a lonely guy who tried to appear cool and acceptable but he was awkward.

cari3.jpg

cari4.jpg

After years in the street doing caricature, I also learnt a trick, if the drawing does not capture the essence of the person that was drawn, just tell them that their features are too unique or too beautiful to be drawn. They are usually pleased with the answer.

14.jpg

Most of the time, drawing caricature gives me the freedom to test my new strokes. I feel like a kungfu master when I said that. It is also a feel good factor because many of the subject when they draw caricature they want a fun image and most of the time, they are pretty happy with the result.

12.jpg

Caricaturing Now



sireh cartoonist.jpg

This is me now, long after the days of waiting for discarded breads. Now I only do caricature part-time for parties, annual dinners or social events on invitation. My schedule in the academia has taken the giant’s share of my time. But one thing is for sure, if I am invited for the next Steemfest to caricature, I am sure to make myself available.

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!
Sort Order:  

I like your style of drawing

I also like to thank you for liking it

so beautiful, i love your work sir @sireh
as i see you used #aceh tag, are you from aceh? ^^

hi @aranda. We are from Malaysia and since we speak about the same language and as a community from the Southeast asia region, we would like to show our solidarity with our Acehnese brothers and sisters. We are very happy that you drop by and we do constantly give our support to quality contents by Aceh contributors too.

Hi could you please respond to me in discord? thank you

I'm very new to discord... still unfamiliar with the interface... I'm sorry...

wow, thanks for the information, i absolutely surprise with the fact
but i will support this community as i can ^^
by the way for mister @sireh would you like to join in our discord
we are looking for a creators and artist here is it : https://discord.gg/YRrTRc

i wanted to be sure you drew those cos i wanna submit your post for curation. i have seen your name on the drawings. You can still do that though

Thank you for taking an interest in my work and i appreciate the curation

YOU ARE WELCOME. cONTINUE STEEMING BRO

My latest piece of work bro...hope u like it. Its in my blog.

image

thank you so much, I am very new to this and I am not sure what has to be done. So far, I just tell my story and hope there are others that enjoy reading it. Tq so much @ewuoso

you are welcome

Really awesome artwork @sireh ... Hope steemit will continue to help you get your work recognized

I was told that there is steemfest asia...looking forward to that event. I told @perennial I wanna do a steemit cartoon when I can find time.

Congratulations @sireh! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

Award for the number of upvotes received

Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here

If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

By upvoting this notification, you can help all Steemit users. Learn how here!

It is a beautiful thing that art got you out of that situation of waiting for discarded bread.

I have always admired people who can draw, and I love your caricatures. Also I like the excuse for not being able to capture their features, very nice :-)

Cg

Thanks @cryptogee for the nice words... I also enjoy your post on learning different languages... maybe one day u can do a post on learning how to speak Malaysian ... 😊 Terima Kasih... (Thanks)

You're most welcome!

Haha, yes, maybe one day Malay, is it similar to Mandarin or not?

Cg

Very... very different... hahaha

good post ,

Thanks @ades... 😊

can you edit this and add a picture of you

Done, a picture of myself has been added.

This is a touching story story u have shared and at the same time i feel you are far better than many other people. i cannot begin to share my stories. i have done odd jobs in the past just to make ends means. mind you i am a graduate. well i believe things will get better for everybody.

just know that you can never be the worst.

i like your drawings.

I guess after going thru all the rough patches in life we learn to count our blessings for the simple things that we always take for granted. I love to hear your story bro. I believe everyone has their hardship...some had a tougher time while others had it easier. I consider mine average.

yeah bro

I am so pleased that you took interest in my work. I will try to do the necessary.

i have upvote this post
good posting to day
together post its fun buddy

Hi kupi apa khabar

Your caricature is very interesting. It's very nice to see your works here.

Hi u have a very interesting name...pls drop by more often. I got more to offer.

Sure, I like your artwork. You are welcome to visit my blog, too. I post artworks sometimes, too. welcome02.gif

Yup i saw it and i like it. Followed.

Good job..I like cartoon

Come more often...i will be posting more of my own cartoons

The art is very nice, like it. .. but I can not at all in it.

Hi and thx

Congratulations @sireh! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

Award for the number of comments received

Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here

If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

By upvoting this notification, you can help all Steemit users. Learn how here!

Your struggles were worth it , congratulations on your journey @sireh
Regards @lessonseighteen
Bdw i love artists❤️