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Visions of Taiwan # 4: The Artists Issue
The Artists Issue
“The Sketch of Self Doubt” by Erique Chong
“Facezine # 183” by Joel Fremming
“Younger Man Eat More” by Kristin Foss and Paulina Olejnik
“Artist Residency in Taiwan” by Fabienne Good
“Makin’ Comics” by Ray Hecht
“My Black Hole” by Patty Hogan
“Thai in Taiwan” by Thai Martin
“A Day in the Life” by Daniel Martinez Sierra
“The Concept” by Stefano Misesti
“Sweat & Blood” by Daniel C. Moore
“Changes” by Jon Renzella
“Bonds” by Angela Sauceda
“Finding Faces” by Bronwen Shelwell
“Worries” by Royce Widjaya
“The Sketch of Self Doubt” by Erique Chong
“Facezine # 183” by Joel Fremming
“Younger Man Eat More” by Kristin Foss and Paulina Olejnik
“Artist Residency in Taiwan” by Fabienne Good
“Makin’ Comics” by Ray Hecht
“My Black Hole” by Patty Hogan
“Thai in Taiwan” by Thai Martin
“A Day in the Life” by Daniel Martinez Sierra
“The Concept” by Stefano Misesti
“Sweat & Blood” by Daniel C. Moore
“Changes” by Jon Renzella
“Bonds” by Angela Sauceda
“Finding Faces” by Bronwen Shelwell
“Worries” by Royce Widjaya
Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2025
2 people are currently reading
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About the author
Ray Hecht
19 books434 followersRay Hecht was raised in America, from the Midwest to the West Coast, on a starchy diet of movies and comics and science fiction paperbacks. Mostly writing about such states as California and Ohio, and such provinces as Guangdong. Lived in Shenzhen, China since 2008, that Special Economic Zone & Hong Kong-bordering chaotic city of the future, occasionally partaking in freelance journalism for various local publications. Ray now lives in Taiwan.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 7, 2025
In this fourth edition of Visions of Taiwan, 14 internationally based artists focus on their art-making process while moving to Taiwan. Some artists in previous issues return while some new artists add even more flavour to the mix.
The editor Ray Hecht kicks off with a delightful reminder of how this book came to being with its subsequent editions. Congratulations on #4.
Daniel Martinez Sierra describes “A Day in the Life” of his exceedingly busy life while fitting in time to create this graphic story. What we do to create art!
Bronwell Shelwell comes at a very unique approach- visually describing the making of glass sculptures. I have seen this in real life but not on a page. Kudos to her!
Jon Rezella immerses his art through looking at his new world differently. Great advice.
One of the more “pressing” stories is called “My Black Hoke” by Patty Hogan. She suffered macular degeneration and through intervention and universal healthcare, she is on the road to recovery. A shout out at her home country for change (good luck too!).
Kristin Foss and Paulina Olejnik tell a funny story of cultural and language differences in “Younger Man Eat More.” What fun! What stress!
Fabienne Good reflects back on her cultural and artistic awakening in Taiwan from a cabin in snowy Canada. Such nice artwork.
The funniest is “The Sketch of Self-Doubt” by Erique Chong recalling his early days in art college, realizing his “drawing” limitations (I love his style) but also understanding that most students are full of self doubt. God knows I felt the same way.
“FaceZine #183” gave away an incredible amount of books for free while “Thai in Taiwan” literally created monsters on paper and understood himself better. Stefano Misesti gets to understand the selling of “The Concept” while Royce Widjaya deals with his “Worries.” Good advice!
I am sorry if I missed some but they were all good. Reflections on art, life and Taiwan. Good stuff. An enjoyable read.
The editor Ray Hecht kicks off with a delightful reminder of how this book came to being with its subsequent editions. Congratulations on #4.
Daniel Martinez Sierra describes “A Day in the Life” of his exceedingly busy life while fitting in time to create this graphic story. What we do to create art!
Bronwell Shelwell comes at a very unique approach- visually describing the making of glass sculptures. I have seen this in real life but not on a page. Kudos to her!
Jon Rezella immerses his art through looking at his new world differently. Great advice.
One of the more “pressing” stories is called “My Black Hoke” by Patty Hogan. She suffered macular degeneration and through intervention and universal healthcare, she is on the road to recovery. A shout out at her home country for change (good luck too!).
Kristin Foss and Paulina Olejnik tell a funny story of cultural and language differences in “Younger Man Eat More.” What fun! What stress!
Fabienne Good reflects back on her cultural and artistic awakening in Taiwan from a cabin in snowy Canada. Such nice artwork.
The funniest is “The Sketch of Self-Doubt” by Erique Chong recalling his early days in art college, realizing his “drawing” limitations (I love his style) but also understanding that most students are full of self doubt. God knows I felt the same way.
“FaceZine #183” gave away an incredible amount of books for free while “Thai in Taiwan” literally created monsters on paper and understood himself better. Stefano Misesti gets to understand the selling of “The Concept” while Royce Widjaya deals with his “Worries.” Good advice!
I am sorry if I missed some but they were all good. Reflections on art, life and Taiwan. Good stuff. An enjoyable read.
March 24, 2025
It was an absolute pleasure to read the latest edition of "Visions of Taiwan."
In this issue, I felt the sense of excitement and newness from artists like Angela Sauceda, who does her portion of the book with digital art. Daniel Sierra's chapter highlights his struggles with his daily life. I really related to this chapter because my early years in Japan were also a struggle for time. "Changes" by John Renzella hit very close to home because it discusses all the struggles artists (in my case writers) must go through in everyday interactions ("Don't you have a master's degree?" "Isn't it true that artists were too dumb to become doctors or engineers?") Patty Hogan's "My Black Hole" is a chapter that needs to be seen (and only partially seen) to be understood. One of the key takeaways from Patty Hogan's chapter -- if you want the arts to flourish, endorse universal healthcare. Perhaps my favorite was "The Sketch of Self Doubt" by Erique Chong; the design was simple, even a little childish, but really connected with me. A key theme from that chapter -- it's okay to be clueless sometimes...go with it; and, share your cluelessness with the world.
All of this is to say that when you read the latest issue of "Visions of Taiwan," you will find things that amuse you, delight you, make you think...you will also be exposed to various art styles and the culture of Taiwan. I hope you enjoy!
In this issue, I felt the sense of excitement and newness from artists like Angela Sauceda, who does her portion of the book with digital art. Daniel Sierra's chapter highlights his struggles with his daily life. I really related to this chapter because my early years in Japan were also a struggle for time. "Changes" by John Renzella hit very close to home because it discusses all the struggles artists (in my case writers) must go through in everyday interactions ("Don't you have a master's degree?" "Isn't it true that artists were too dumb to become doctors or engineers?") Patty Hogan's "My Black Hole" is a chapter that needs to be seen (and only partially seen) to be understood. One of the key takeaways from Patty Hogan's chapter -- if you want the arts to flourish, endorse universal healthcare. Perhaps my favorite was "The Sketch of Self Doubt" by Erique Chong; the design was simple, even a little childish, but really connected with me. A key theme from that chapter -- it's okay to be clueless sometimes...go with it; and, share your cluelessness with the world.
All of this is to say that when you read the latest issue of "Visions of Taiwan," you will find things that amuse you, delight you, make you think...you will also be exposed to various art styles and the culture of Taiwan. I hope you enjoy!
March 23, 2025
‘From the first moment, I was captivated by Taiwan’s rich culture’ – Shared thoughts
Author Ray Hecht was born in Israel, raised in the US (Midwest to the West Coast), lived in China, and now resides in Taiwan. He is both a freelance journalist and the author of MOONCAKE, THIS MODERN LOVE, SOUTH CHINA MORNING BLUES, OUT OF TIME, 411, PEARL RIVER DRAMA, THE GHOST OF LOTUS MOUNTAIN BROTHEL, TAIWAN TALES, ALWAYS GOODBYE, LOSER PARADE, 2020: A YEAR IN TAIWAN, SATURNINE IN HER HEAD OUT OF TIME, and the VISIONS OF TAIWAN series of which The Artists Issue is the 4th volume – an anthology of short comics by fourteen artists sharing what it is like living in Taiwan.
Each contribution by the gifted artists includes excellent graphics and drawings as well as occasional photographs that illustrate the ideas from insightful authors/artists. The spectrum of themes is broad and rich in information about a country (formerly known as Formosa) about which we should all know more. The editor – Ray Hecht – not only offers is own ‘Makin’ Comics’ but offers the work of other talented artists that make this volume fascinating, informative, and immensely entertaining!
Author Ray Hecht was born in Israel, raised in the US (Midwest to the West Coast), lived in China, and now resides in Taiwan. He is both a freelance journalist and the author of MOONCAKE, THIS MODERN LOVE, SOUTH CHINA MORNING BLUES, OUT OF TIME, 411, PEARL RIVER DRAMA, THE GHOST OF LOTUS MOUNTAIN BROTHEL, TAIWAN TALES, ALWAYS GOODBYE, LOSER PARADE, 2020: A YEAR IN TAIWAN, SATURNINE IN HER HEAD OUT OF TIME, and the VISIONS OF TAIWAN series of which The Artists Issue is the 4th volume – an anthology of short comics by fourteen artists sharing what it is like living in Taiwan.
Each contribution by the gifted artists includes excellent graphics and drawings as well as occasional photographs that illustrate the ideas from insightful authors/artists. The spectrum of themes is broad and rich in information about a country (formerly known as Formosa) about which we should all know more. The editor – Ray Hecht – not only offers is own ‘Makin’ Comics’ but offers the work of other talented artists that make this volume fascinating, informative, and immensely entertaining!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews