bright orange dress, long ears, small black dots as eyes and a “ x ” as mouth.

Yes, it is MIFFY

In every girls' mind, there is always a story book or cartoon character that they love. Cinderella, Snow White, Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty... Miffy. In every boys’ mind there is always a super hero that they wish to become. Superman, Batman, Spider Man, Astro Boy.... 

As some of you may already know from my previous posts, as a young child, my first favourite character was Cinderella. She was pretty, kind, hard working and was living happily ever after with her prince. Over time, I have found my second character that I have fallen in love with till this day. She has the cutest face. Simple, yet one that I could never get tired of. Miffy, Every time when I look at a Miffy figure, it calms me down. To some people she may look sad but to me she looks serene. 

Dick Bruna is a Dutch artist, illustrator, graphic designer and a writer. He has created Miffy with bright primary colour and simple shapes. His use of heavy lines truly demonstrate his graphic design knowledge. I really admire his work, especially with children’s book. I also find him very charming with lots of charisma. Of course, I am fascinated by his talent. His use of simple lines work to create such remarkable design which is loved by so many people from all walks of life, different age group and all over the world is just amazing. I truly think we are so fortunate to have an artist in our life like Mr. Dick Bruna. One of my wish is to see him in person and take a picture with him and Miffy. I know… I am 56, that’s OK. I really like Miffy. 

Happy 60th Birthday Miffy.

Since it is a special year for Miffy. I have devoted some of my watercolour artworks to build a collection of Miffy with simple things that I treasure and a favourite snack that I enjoy.

Watercolour and Miffy allow me to be on the bright side.

June 12, 2015

"har gow, siumai, char siu bao”

When I think of Dim Sum, these three dishes will come to mind instantly. 

Dim sum literally means “to touch your heart” and is usually associated with the Chinese tradition of "yum cha" or drinking tea (the art of tea tasting). Sipping tea and feasting on the countless variety of delicacies are what "yum cha" is all about. 

Dim Sum is served during “yum cha” This unique culinary experience started with the Cantonese in southern China, who over the centuries transformed "yum cha" from a relaxing respite to a loud and happy eating experience. In Hong Kong, and in most cities in Guangdong province, restaurants start serving dim sum as early as six in the morning until mid-afternoon.

My early experiences and memories about Dim Sum were definitely with my family. Like a lot of southern Chinese families, "yum cha" was treated as a weekend family day. I was always required by my mother to wear a dress. You would think most girls would love to do that, but not me. With me being a tomboy, other than obeying my mother, it was always the variety of dumplings, steamed and fried dishes in front of me that made me put on a dress. It was truly a treat to someone who loves food above anything in this world (during my childhood), and I really mean anything, even my pencil crayons. 

Now, my pencil crayons definitely come before any kind of food. My craving for Dim Sum can be satisfied by illustrating them through my artwork. This series of Stamp Art are to share with everyone about the culinary experience of Dim Sum.

Colourful pencil crayons and stamps allow me to be on the bright side. 

June 2, 2015

Stamp Art - Dim Sum

During the late 50’s, some restaurants would accommodate bird fanciers gathering
by providing them with bamboo poles on which to hang their bird cages covered with white cloth while they enjoyed dim sum and a strong pot of Chinese tea,”Pu-erh tea, Oolong tea and Shoumei tea were the most common request. On Sundays and holidays, cage-carriers will arrived as early as opening time at 5:00 a.m. to reserve a favourite spot at the window. By 7 a.m., the room became a full house of bird fanciers and
birds chirping. It was quite an unique tradition.

Lifting the lid of a teapot is a polite way to ask for your pot to be refilled. Har gow, Siumai are most common dim sum dishes. For most people, they loved to read the morning post with a good pot of strong tea.

Traditional dim sum includes a great variety of steam bun like char sou bao, fried spring roll and my husband’s favourite dessert, egg tart. He always finished his dim sum brunch with an egg tart and a good sip of Pu-erh tea.

“yum cha” and "dim sum” are great tradition to carry on. "har gow, siumai, char siu bao” will always be first to come in mind. 

Stamps...

"Make sure to have enough postage "...
"Mail it, why?"
"Can't find a mail box"
"Make sure you email to me, no better yet just text me."

Stamps, to most people, are something they almost cannot relate to. Honestly, when was the last time I mailed something out. However, I still love stamps, especially the old ones with a mail chop on it. With this in mind, I have decided to send a note to someone, somewhere each week.

My passion for stamp collecting started at a very young age. I remember I was about eight years old, with tremendous curiosity and love for almost everything around me - except for piano practice and porridge for breakfast. Being the youngest, you would think I would have had everybody's attention. Not quite, since all my siblings were at least ten years older than me and were busy with their school work. My time was mainly spent among my late parents and my nanny. My memories about them are very clear.

Mom, a principal, was all about discipline and responsibility; how to have a good posture, how to study, and to never eat on the street.

Nanny was the most important person in my life other than my late parents. We may not be related, yet she was like a grandma to me. She took care of my well being, from breakfast to dinner ( She would put an poached egg at the bottom of my porridge every morning so I would finish it before my Mom asked any questions).

Dad, he was my best friend, the only man I have ever loved whole heartedly other than Kinny, my husband. He showed me all kinds of toys and hobbies, from sword to tea sets. Once a week he would take up the responsibility to pick up items from the pharmacy, with me tagging along. That was when I began to see a lot of Hong Kong. We tried all kinds of food that Mom would say no to. (He would secretly eat on the streets with me.)

Dad also passed on his favourite hobby to me. He loved collecting stamps, and he taught me how to prepare them with care. After all these years, I still love to collect stamps. I find the used ones are so much more meaningful. They embrace culture, art, history, feelings, emotions... Now at the age of 56, I've started to fall in love with my past in Hong Kong again. The tram, ferries, foods, markets... all these are episodes of my childhood. To illustrate all these memories and feelings through pencil crayons and a stamp about old Hong Kong are the passion I wish to share with everyone at this point of my life. It is a blessing if my passion can touch someone's heart.

Colourful pencil crayons and stamps allow me to be on the bright side.

May 29, 2015  

Stamp Art

Looking back at childhood memories in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Victoria Park is where I spent every Sunday morning with my dad and his tennis buddy; I was their ball-girl. It may not be a Grand Stand, yet to me, dad was as good as Agassi or Federer. These were very precious moments.

           Memories of Hong Kong - old neon sign, dried sea food and traditional wedding pastries remind me of west side of Hong Kong island.

 

I was born in Hong Kong when we still live on Canton Street, Kowloon. Ferry between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was my favourite form of transportation. Red-bean with ice cream and luncheon meat with fried egg and instant noodle was always my favourite choice.

Hong Kong Peak had the best view of the whole Victoria Harbour. My memories were clearly with the restaurant. It was a treat when my parents took me there for high tea. 

Every morning...

"Art  has no limit or boundary when you are given a blank piece of paper or a canvas just finished with a wash of gesso. Your passion for art should start to flow through every blood vessel and when it comes to what to draw, it should be your true feelings at that very moment; the sky is the limit." I learned this from my late mother when she taught me how to draw my first picture of Cinderella in her blue dress. Back then, my three favourite things, among others, were princesses, pencil crayons and eggs(over easy), lots of them.

Now, ten days to 2015, at the age of fifty - five, they are still my favourites. Today, I can say 

I am very blessed because I can still create art with my pencil crayons and enjoy the egg on toast prepared by my husband, Kinny, everyday. By the same token I know I have always been my mom's princess, and I keep her's and my father's blessing with me everyday.  

I treasure everything that they have taught me.

I will never stop my passion for putting simple and beautiful things around me on paper. 

As long as I can start my day with a smile to Kinny, my daily prayers and reading of the Bible, and carry on my day with tea and pencil crayons, I am happy. This is more than enough in life. This is what I live for.

Colourful pencil crayons allow me to be on the bright side.

December 21, 2014

Pin cushion, memories of my mother sewing 

Instant noodle, perfect snack for watching TV or on a cool rainy afternoon.

White Rabbit Milk Candy, a treat from my dad 

In my early childhood, I loved going to the market with my nanny everyday, despite the unique smell. There was so much to see from vendor to vendor. The groceries were wrapped in newspaper to take home. This is in memory of my late nanny Ms Lau King. She was as close as a mother to me. 

Pork Belly, perfect for Red-cooked Pork. All the girls in our family know how to prepare it.