sketching at a meeting

"People may doodle as a strategy to help themselves concentrate," said study co-author Jackie Andrade, a University of Plymouth psychologist. "We might not be aware that we’re doing it, but it could be a trick that people develop because it helps them from wandering off into a daydream."

"Andrade’s findings, published in Applied Cognitive Psychology, are an interesting wrinkle on cognitive load theory: The mind has a limited amount of attention to give and, once occupied, stops processing other stimuli.

Cognitive load is exploited by magicians, whose verbal and physical flourishes distract from sleight-of-hand. It also explains why driving while talking on a hands-free headset is no safer than driving while holding a phone. And it could be the reason why doodling is so much better than daydreaming."

Article on Wired date 26 Feb 2009.

Result of February Sketchwalk

Let's focus on what we love - sketching and sharing. This will go down the memory lane well one day when we look back.

936 Food Village at Siglap

This is the first sketch at the coffee shop next to Siglap NTUC. It is called 936 Food Village. Once again, there was a big turnout for the sketchwalk although the weather was hot and humid. This coffee shop has changed operators for many time. It seems to be doing very well now after the renovation to give it a fresh and modern look.

February Sketchwalk

Map of the meeting point HERE. Please note the special timing. See you there!

new and old places

These two were done on last Saturday at Marina Bay and Geylang area respectively. Incidentally both locations are totally different with one modern and the other traditionally an older street. Both are done on long format at size 680 x 240mm or 27" x 9.5". Decided to try a little experiment with the bright orange sky and black lines with bubble wrap and salt textures on the modern skyline.

Geylang Coffeeshop

We were all sketching the people at Geylang coffee shop called Choice.

architectural talk

A talk by Jyanzi Kong at Marina Bay City Gallery.

Brunch at TWG

The classic charm and opulent interior furnishings of TWG tea at ION Orchard is easily mistakable for an imported brand. There is no clues or signs that TWG was indeed a Singaporean brand started in 2008. TWG stands for The Wellness Group. It is a luxury concept that incorporates an international distribution network to professionals, unique and original retail outlets and exquisite tea rooms.

Within the glass-walled enclave at the upmarket shopping center, the big tea canisters, exquisite glass, tin or wooden containers and the displays of small tea pots and tea cups attracted many onlookers. I was there for the Saturday brunch with 6 other of my potter friends "descending from the mountain of pottery jungle to the heart of the city" to celebrate another year of good pots making and wood firing.

toast box at 112 Katong

112 Katong is a new shopping center. I did not find the place exciting with its decorative carpet floor for the floor and with boutiques, cafes and restaurant all over the premises. It is probably a place for people to take a quick bite, go in to grab the stuff you want and get out. I stayed long enough to complete a sketch at Toast Box on the ground floor next to Breadtalk.

collage of Dec sketches