Drawing and art subjects at school became my relief from the stress of home life

Artwork by Lee Anchor

My name is Lee Yung Anchor, I am 51 years old and I am an Interior Architect in Brisbane, Queensland Australia.

My background:

I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Growing up in Hong Kong, my family and I experienced hardship, where work and income were important for the family’s survival and basic needs of food and accommodation.

To help the family, every day after school, I did part-time work and quite often finished at 8-9pm. I was 12 years old when I started working. This affected my attendance and performance at school and my education became secondary to ensure my younger brothers had enough food to eat.

Notwithstanding my poor education, I began to realise my natural talent for drawing and design when my teachers regularly used my school work to demonstrate to other students. Drawing and art subjects at school became my relief from the stress of home life. It became my outlet when I was upset or had no one to turn to. Because of my poor up-bringing, I was not able to develop my skills and passions.

In 1986 I married and had 3 children. My family and I moved to Australia in 1992 and I later became an Australian Citizen. Being in Australia allowed me to commence the study of art and pursue my passion. I completed several Tafe subjects including Certificate of Visual Art. I considered my options of a career in Fine Art however a commercial decision was made that a career as an Interior Designer would ensure the financial security of my young family, whilst realising an area of my passions.

I then went on and completed Bachelor of Architecture in 2006. I now work as an Interior Architect.

Artistic Challenges:

Because of my background, I have been limited in the areas of my education in art due to financial reasons.

Notwithstanding my work as an Interior Architect, since a young age, my underlying passion has been Fine Art; painting realistic portraits and life drawings.

My artistic challenges are, basically, I do not know where to start. I can draw basic objects and am good at mixing colour in gouache and understand the fundamentals of colour, however when it comes to using oil paint / acrylic paint to complete the drawing, I become stuck.

I need guidance / teacher / tutor / structure of a program to learn and understand painting techniques.

What I want to learn:

– Oil painting;
– Drawing human figures and faces;
– Landscape and flowers;
– Art composition;
– Art history.

I want to win the Old Masters Academy Course because I want to realise my underlying passion of Fine Art.

For most of my life, I have put my family before my own needs and desires. I am excited and enthusiastic about the prospects of participating in this Course and also thoroughly love developing my skills.

I also think Old Masters Academy will help me build on my skills and fill in the ‘gaps’ of my knowledge in Fine Art.

People should vote for me because art is not only my passion, but I live and breathe it in my everyday life. I strive to learn everything I can and be the best version of myself.

My 2018 New Years resolution is to do more of the things I love and involve myself in challenges that will help develop my skills as an artist and a person.