Day 3: Good Food, Good Art, and Good Company!

Day 3 of the stars & my favourite things was as much as food for the creative mind, as for the heart and stomach!  Thank you for the beautiful little gifts and everyone who came out to support me.  Fellow artists and supportive friends came to enjoy lunch and teas, and lots of great conversations.  And the same went for the new people I met.

Le Chalet is usually very busy on the weekends.  That's why am sure this one is going to be even more so!!

Above is just a small sample of what is served at the cafe.  The first is my favourite, goma-miso sando (sesame-miso sandwich), veggie & cheese toast (apologies for me taking a bite before taking the photo), and french toast made with real French bread!

True happiness indeed!!

Day 2: Nico

Day 2: How can you not fall in love with him?  Nico and his owner came to the cafe for an early dinner, and I just had to take a picture of him!

First Day Report of the stars & my favourite things

A short report on the first of the stars & my favourite things show.  It was an extremely fun opening day.  Many familiar faces came to visit, as well as some new ones!

I had my favourite sandwich and lots of coffee and tea!  I say, even if you don't like my work too much, you must come and try their bread!  Hahaha.....Three and a half more exciting and delicious days to go!!

***Kindly note that the Friday Closing Hour has change to 7:30 PM from the usual 10 PM***

Blotted Line Drawing & Aries

Many people ask what kind of medium and what kind of technique do I use.  So, I thought I should share how do I paint my paintings using my interpretation of the astrological sign Aries as an example.

The technique I use is called "Blotted Line Drawing".  Since I was a child, I have loved illustrations created by this method without ever knowing how it was done.  It was only until I saw an Andy Warhol drawings exhibition, that I found out about it.  After that, I completely changed my painting style, and adopted blotted line drawing technique.  Though looking back, I should have done more research when I first started this, because it would have saved me lots of trials and errors!

Above is the final product which is all hand-drawn, scanned, and touched up on a computer.  And below are the steps:

1. I first sketch out my original idea for Aries

2. I then trace the sketch in pencil with design vellum paper, as I find normal tracing paper to be too thin

3. The traced sketch is outlined with ink by me slowly blotting the outlines on to a mounted sheet of watercolour paper.  This is a really time consuming step, where lots can go wrong--too much ink, small splatters, smudging, and etc. Oh, how much time and sheets of paper and time have I wasted in the past (and still do) on this step alone!

4.  After completing the ink blotting, I wait overnight for the ink to dry

5. I use watercolours with traditional fude, Chinese/Japanese paint brushes, to colour in the illustration

6. After another night, the dried coloured image is scanned to be touched up digitally.  I do this because too much of the texture from the paper shows up in the scans, and is very distracting especially when viewed on a computer screen.  This is the same image as the initial one of this post--the completed product, so to say

7. The original painting is framed, and is really to be showcased at the stars & my favourite things show!  Of course, my little Aries is also looking forward to meeting her new owner, and finding her destined new home!

For more information about the blotted line technique, please visit the Andy Warhol Museum website (For me, I found this out a little too late):

www.warhol.org/education/resourceslessons/Blotted-Line/

They even have a step-by-step video, though I personally neither use watercolour ink nor trace from photos even when I draw items in real life.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlvFRDvvNow#t=196

Spring, Sakura and Cherry Blossoms

Spring, my favourite season, well other than autumn.  And my favourite symbol of this beautiful season is the sakura, cherry blossoms.  So much so, that when I painted a different cover for My Little Book of Happiness, I decided to use the flower.  How can you not fall in love with these tiny little blooms, kissed with a touch of pink?

It was windy and pouring in Tokyo today, but I still managed to take a quick shot of these beauties.  Noticed the few drops of rain on the fresh petals?

What is also lovely is just right after they are in full bloom, the breeze will pass by, and it will be snowing cherry blossoms.  That was the inspiration for the cover.  Taking a relaxing stroll under the sakura trees, daydreaming, and feeling blessed.  Ah, I just wished the season can last longer......

Soapbox Press x JS - Thank You

I have to apologize for the delay in doing a proper post about the wonderful Soapbox Press, and the feature they did on me back in February.  Though I tweeted and shared the news on Facebook, I still wanted do note in here on my blog.

On the last day of 2013, I received a kind email from Nicola of Soapbox Press--a great platform for discovering different creative talents/work.  Based in UK, they reached out to people all around the world.  After several correspondences with Nicola, My Little Book of Happiness was officially a part of the Soapbox Press Visualisation section, and proudly so.  Please see below for the direct link to the feature, and do explore their site!  It's amazing!!

Thanks again to the sweet ladies at Soapbox Press!

soapboxpress.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/jodi-sam-visualisation

JS Wax Seal

Customization, personalization, adding a personal touches to the little things always make me happy, and hopefully the ones who receive them too.  Am in the process of creating my promotional piece for the year, and thought what can be better than to seal the envelopes with customized "js" wax one?

After lots of running around, Internet searches, and emails, I ordered one from France.  And it finally arrived last night! Though I have yet to test it out myself, I was extremely happy with the results--a sample was kindly included in the package. This beautiful, little brass and lacquered wood seal is going to seal not only envelopes, but also lots of thoughts and love!

Mr. Dominique Chaine--a true artisan, crafted the seal for me and corresponding with him has been a great pleasure. Please visit his site for more details:

www.gravure-marseille.com/en

my favourite things - The Peplum

The Peplum: in "modern" (20th century) fashion history, was revived by the Mr. Christian Dior in his amazing "the New Look" collection of 1947, finally bring back glamour and elegance to fashion in the postwar era, easing the utilitarian look that dominated every aspect of life at that time.

Fast forward to today, it is again fashionable, and the approach of the peplum element/silhouette varies vastly, from the hip fashion to the classical look.  I love love love the peplum, and am happy to see it used again in different styles.  I painted my favourite element in the two different approaches too:

- Ringo-chan sporting a peplum black and white cropped blazer, pairing it with jeans and platforms while listening to her iPod

- Lala wearing a white peplum pencil skirt with her favourite black turtleneck as she is shopping for some new shoes

Either way, I hope more people will come to know of the Peplum, and Mr. Christian Dior's "the New Look" collection.

ID Management

ID Management is an unique creative talent & production company, with a amazing network of artists, designers, and the alike.  Am very happy to be a part of this global network.  Please visit their brand new website, and check out the stunning work they do!!

www.id-management.jp

P.S. Am listed in their Tokyo network under the Artist & Designer section!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!  Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season filled with laughter, good food, and joy!  May 2014 be another exciting year!!

My Favourite Things - Vintage Moschino by Persol Sunglasses

I own a number of sunglasses, but you will often see me in these: my vintage Moschino by Persol sunglasses from the early 90's.  I got them a few years ago as "New Old Stock" from a wonderful optical store I frequent in Vancouver, and I just love them like crazy!

Actually, the owner became a good friend of mine because I would go into the store, and spend hours looking at the amazing vintage stock he has.  We would chat about each frame: the maker/designer, the colour, the details, the material, the craftsmanship, and etc. Yes, I added "the" to all the words because they are so important! I still see him every time I visit home, and usually come out with a new pair of sunglasses! Hahaha......

Side note, Lady Gaga was spotted wearing a pair of Moschino by Persol from the same collection.  Instead of the key motif on the side, hers had large cut gems.  Funny, as my friend also had that frame in his store!

Lala at Cafe Barney?!

Cafe Barney in Tokyo is a charming little French bistro cafe that serves great food and wine, and always has wonderful jazz music playing.  Did I mentioned from a vast collection of vinyl records too?  What makes it even more special is how lovely the owners are.

It's an honour to have a small painting of Lala there. Though it was meant as a gift to congratulated them on the 1st anniversary of Cafe Barney's opening, it was a little late, almost by 2 months......Yes, I can be slow at times, and am going to blame it on creative procrastination!

Please go visit Lala and the sweet owners of Cafe Barney if you have the chance!

le-barney.com

Poetry & Paint Anthology - Lost

I often get lost, not only physically (just ask any of my poor friends waiting for me!) but also in my thoughts.  I don't necessarily find it to be a bad thing, especially when I can make new discoveries, be it a small cozy cafe, a beautiful stationery store, or about myself.

A couple of months ago, I received an email from Carmina, a lovely writer in London who puts together an anthology of poems and illustrations.  Her next anthology was to be around the theme "Lost".  What a great subject I thought.  So, am happy to be a part of her wonderful anthology, which features both my poem and illustration, and would like to share it here with everyone.  I hope you will like it!

There are also other enthusiastic artists who contributed to this collection.  Please do visit the following links for more information:

www.lulu.com/shop/carmina-masoliver/poetrypaint-lost/paperback/product-21257088.html
www.poetryandpaint.wordpress.com

Bu-chan

Please meet bu-chan, my piglet friend.  More than that, think bu-chan may be a manifestation of myself.  I just love great food, and am constantly on the lookout for some more!  Look, bu-chan just found himself a cake made out of cupcakes!

A New Flatmate: Yamori-kun

I found a new flatmate a couple of weeks ago.  It's a cute little yamori or gecko. Drew this after spotting him.  He is a quiet an adorable fella, and thanks to him, there are less tiny flies around.  However, he has been hiding somewhere since, maybe adventuring out in the great big world?!  Whatever the case, he is always welcome back to our home.

Interesting note, the kanji for yamori is "家守", which means "to protect a home" or "protector of the home"!

Ladybugs: Before and After Watercolour

The first thing I ever painted as a child at my community art center class was a pair of ladybugs strolling under some flowers.  Now years later, am still thinking of the same little creatures.

Am sharing both the B&W (roughly scanned) and completed images of my work.  I use carbon ink for all the outlines of my illustrations, and then watercolour for the colours.  Painting with watercolour is almost like second nature for me.  I have used various mediums before, but I find still it the easiest one for me to express myself.

These ladybugs are now taking off on their own little adventures!