To all of our frontliners whether they'd be medical personnel, scientists, peace enforcers, government staff, factory workers, cleanliness, safety and agricultural personnel, bank personnels, volunteers, couriers, delivery and necessity services staff such as supermarkets, convenience stores, electricity, water and telecommunications and every one else, our warmest and gratuitous thanks to all of you!
❤️

In the forest lives a woman of no origin. She has been living in the woods for so long no one knows exactly how old or how young she was. No one knows her name either, not even the birds. But everyone knew who she was. She's sister, the leaves whisper as they sway with the wind's songs. She's my friend, says the sun and the moon as they shine down on her round, mossy eyes. She is family, the rest of them say. She belongs here, where nobody thinks any less of anyone, says the mountains high amongst the clouds. She belongs where her heart feels truly alive. For all these, the woman smiles happily as she lives her life under the canopies of the woods, unperturbed and always loved, just as much as she loves wholeheartedly.

She feels so much at home in the sunlit dark green waters where the vibrant creatures swam, their fins soft as an embrace, their scales shining vividly like a dream in a hazy abyss. She wanted so much to just be in the flow of the water, to never to go back to that place that called her different or unnatural. Besides, she can always admire the warmth of the sun better when her skin is cool against the calming ripples, her hair fanned out amidst the dark water, shining gold like firelight. Just don't lean in too much against the water whenever you talk with her though -- she might pull you down so you can also admire the place she is so happy in. Not that she'd really pull you, you might just be entranced by the strength of her love for this little secluded world, you'd definitely jump right in without hesitation. "It's fine," the fish said as they swam about her, "but if you're not as willing to like her or this world as much as we do, then we're afraid you'll sink."
~

When I was younger, I found dark green waters frightening. No one really knows what lingers beneath the surface. I have always imagined the worst, that is to say, I've thought of gigantic carnivorous fish with bloody teeth and dark scales, of ghosts or lifeless beings lingering aimlessly. That was too horrid, really. Now though, the dark green waters looked mysterious. There's a strange good pull coming from the light that shimmers on the water. I could just imagine what the light makes of the dark things beneath, revealing something beautiful no one has ever imagined. I'll be honest, I still feel anxious of dark waters. I think it's a safe reaction, don't you think? But I am not as scared of it though. The dark waters seem to have more beautiful things to show, if only I have the courage to try and explore it. 

She loved the way the embroideries shine in the firelight, the smooth and delicate feel of the fabric embracing her body, the perfumed scent of the fan enveloping her senses in sweet intoxication. Lost in beauty, she remembered the tattered hakama she cherished as she ran in the fields, wild and free, the warmth of the hearth where she ate the food she and her family cared and took from their own crops, the laughter each time they find themselves huddled beside each other in the cold winter nights with no spare blankets to be found. She cherished them, memories old yet full of love. An old life it seems, now replaced with richness she never thought would graze her skin. Mere memories, distant but never forgotten -- she longed for them as she drifted between gold and silver.

Inspired by the stunning Maki-e art of Japan. The first time I saw a piece made with its style in Osaka Castle, I couldn't tear my eyes from it, even my heart. Being kind of melodramatic huh? But it did tug at my heart so much. It's so beautiful and hard to make. Hardwork leads to beautiful things, no matter how long it takes to get there.

She loves to stay by the garden as the sun shines down on the blooms and ferns, feeling the tender warmth of it embracing her like a familiar hug. 

Society6 is starting 2017 with a lovely promo from today until January 8, 12am Pacific Time!





I hope you could take a gander and wander around my shop and see if you like something. It would be such a thrill to see you use my art in your every day life.

You'll be able to activate the 15% OFF plus FREE worldwide shipping by clicking the link below. Weee! X

Thank you so much and I hope you'll have a lovely wander around my shop!

https://t.co/4qJ0vUO3Ji https://t.co/V6L6OmOTMa

She loves the garden and everything in it. Well, maybe not all -- she's terrified of centipedes! She'll let the sun shine on your plants even brighter and the wind nicer but remember to leave some herbs for her to cook with! Oh and her name is...a secret, she says! But the wind and the birds know, she said. If we know how to listen quietly, then we'd know her name.

Remember the beautiful feeling of touching the pages of an old book, wondering just how many people have lovingly anticipated the stories within its pages? Or that simple, musty and kind of historic scent of it? And also, the excitement of opening a new book and feeling like you've found a new companion? All these are quite quirky and simple but they are part of this wonderful love I have for books. It's not only the stories, but the companionship and the "passport" I attain to far off lands and new people in adventures I know I could only have in books.

Books on the shelves, on coffee tables, on tables beside beds and sofas, on cabinets and underneath flower pots -- the beautiful musty scent of pages old and new linger in every room along with the faint perfume of flowers and rosemary. She buries herself within the pages of literature, stuck inside the adventures and thoughts of each and every story she reads, the memories and lives of the characters felt like they were hers as well. Every fact and speculation she thoroughly peruses, taking in as much as she could digest.  The books are both her escape and her comfort.

I haven't done much digital illustrations lately as I have been so busy with the holidays and some custom handmade gifts. It's such a thrill to be busy for both! But a few days in after Christmas, I've had this "itch" to continue doing this literary girl -- it's been a while since I first started on her illustration and I felt like it was time to finish her portrait. We kind of look a bit alike, but this was unintentional. Really! Haha! Are you guys familiar with the observation that an artist kind of looks like the ones she / he draws? Or maybe that there's a similarity between them among the tiniest details? I suppose it did kind of happen to us here. Haha!

Anyways, I'd love to share the brushes I used in this illustration. It's what Mingjue Helen Chen's been using which she linked on her tumblr. I have been using them for a bit of a long time now and I could say that they are the best! Here's the link and I hope you'd get "lost" in her awesome blog. 

http://jigokuen.tumblr.com/post/78660442498/some-dc-girls-redesigns-an-extension-to-the

Oh and since you are here, here's a tumblr blog about books and such that I have been following for such a long time now. I hope you will enjoy staying in this cafe / library blog.

http://teacoffeebooks.tumblr.com/

Cheers everyone and happy holidays!
:)

Have a peaceful Christmas, everyone! May love and warmth embrace you in all your days. Cheers! Here's a little illustration of the family -- there must have been such an immense kind of love between them. I hope your holidays are well and are filled with love. Cheers and love to all of you, wherever you may be.

Hello everyone!

I am delighted to let you know that some of my latest artwork has been featured on iLeGaLit, a non-profit online magazine focusing on art and culture, and founded by Lucia Bihuncová from Slovakia. I am humbled by this opportunity and thank Lucia for this exciting venture.