I gave my caricature story to ST to add some color and vibrancy to its dull content, not expecting it to be published but it did. ST said they are now giving out a small “token” in appreciation of my contribution and to buy over my story’s copyright (indirectly to stop me from re-selling, re-posting it unless I pay for their permit licence). This explains why no artist gives away their work to the press for free!
The recent experiment shows that very few people read the local
newspapers these days. Only 4 fans/friends picked up my story and responded. Lesson
learned: if you want exposure on your stuff, don’t depend on local newspapers
alone. This explains why there are so little contents in newspapers today! I wonder
how they make money.
Journaling through art
Caricature is a specialized form of art that often brings humour and satire by capturing the “essence” of a person by exaggerating or magnifying their most distinct traits or physical features. In my secondary school days, I was often fascinated by these hilarious caricatures published in newspapers and magazines. I kept wondering how these artists were able to use just simple forms, shapes and few strokes of the pen to create “representations” of a person’s face that were easily recognizable by others. In the old days before the internet and social media, I would often cut out these caricature drawings and keep them as drawing references. In my spare time after school work, I would doodle on scrap papers and emulate these artists’ drawing styles.
(Read the entire article @The Sunday Times, dated 28June2026): https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/main/sphnewspapers
Each caricature is taken as a personal challenge. Completing each challenge is a joy felt within, like getting a dose of dopamine from finishing a marathon race. Such ‘feel-good’ effect re-fills the motivating fuel and drives me to look forward to the next challenge. Creating caricatures keeps my mind busy, my hands nimble and to feel alive. The legendary American country music singer, Willie Nelson once said, “I think I need to keep being creative, not to prove anything but because it makes me happy just to do it…I think trying to be creative, keeping busy, has a lot to do with keeping you alive.” I think he is probably right.
