What if you woke up one day and to your amazement found a tree with all your favourite things growing on your head? It did happen to one girl whose name was Christabel...some said she became a tree eventually....and if you ever see a tree growing with teacups and music notes, that's her :D

If you have a tree growing on your head, how would yours look like? Hanging with your fave food,toys and gadgets? So those were some of my fave things :D It was a small painting, if I had used a larger canvas, maybe cats, chow chows and volkwagen beetles would appear in my painting lol! Thanks to Etsy, the original painting is now in the hands of a customer from Indiana. He bought it for his daughter's 2nd birthday :D

This is how the original painting looks like...




When I was uploading this digitally, I tried some color manipulation and got the red version. Both communicate different moods, I like both :D Both the red and original versions are available in both my etsy and zazzle stores. Then one day, I decided to print my namecards at zazzle, this is how the template looks like:



This is a chunky size, measures 3.5 by 2.5 inches. What you see above is the back of the namecard, the front is a full picture of the painting. There are altogther 3 sizes, slim, normal and chunky. Each order comes in a set of 100 namecards, reasonably priced and zazzle gives bulk discounts too! :D

In addition,customers can customise their personal details on the namecard, using zazzle's customisation options available next to the product,it's quick and hassle free. If you want to look for ready available namecards, zazzle has millions of designs from different sellers for you to choose from, no kidding! My namecards are definitely not the sleek chic design that people use for business purposes, I hope to attract a different type of customers with my namecards....maybe owl lovers.... students....and people who work with children :D Just to show some of my designs, they come double sided, click on the product to see the flip side of the card.


























Have fun browsing through the namecards in zazzle and spread the word around if you find them useful! :D

This is a true story and it happened here in Thailand. I knew about the story through watching a TV show yesterday night and I considered watching this show one of the good thing that happened to me yesterday. It was already half way through the show when I switched on the TV....and there were scenes of volunteers attempting to clean and refurnish a small,cramped and messy apartment. It was then that I found out they were trying to help this man named Apirak. I figured he must be one kind of special and newsworthy, if not, he would not be featured on this TV show. Apirak seemed to be a middle aged man, slightly handicapped in speech and very small in size. Not sure what illness hit him when he was young but he seemed very cheerful and jovial.I found out later that it was a staff from a local bank who related his story to the TV show host which led to him appearing on the show.....here's Apirak's story....

He will go to the bank everyday, fill out a bank desposit slip and deposit 20 baht into his account, everyday without fail. In Bangkok, it's pretty hard to find a bowl of noodles that cost 20 baht (US$0.58), it usally starts from 25-30. Nobody deposits 20 baht everyday in this manner. What moved me was he did it for his aging mother, in the case when money is required for doctor fees, he could pay for the fees. The TV show hosts and staff were kind to help him to clean up his place, got him some new furniture and even gave him a new haircut (on the set!) and new clothes......and a monetary gesture of 10,000 baht (US $294). With the camera still rolling, the TV host, together with Apirak, went to the nearby bank and deposited this 10,000 baht. He then returned to the set and asked to see his mother. He excitedly showed his mother the new deposit of 10,000 baht and it was then that I found out his current savings are over 56,000 baht (US $1647)!He must have been depositing 20 baht daily for over 6 years or more :D

This story of Apirak really warmed my heart and filled me with happy thoughts....it reminds me that even in our current age of greed and materialism, there's still the existence of human goodness in every pocket of society. That night, I slept very sweetly :D

I'm feeling hungry now...while waiting for my dinner....these are what I found in etsy when I keyed the search word "HUNGRY", enjoy my menu items!

Etsy Buy Handmade udonchow

This is a print of my original acrylic painting on a canvas panel.

Ophelia catches a falling star on a rooftop while the mice continue in their stargazing. What will Ophelia do with a fallen star?

I first heard the following song in the movie, "Love Actually" when a group of school children sang this for a Christmas performance. The lyrics stuck with me and was probably buried somewhere in my sub-consciousness...only now, these lyrics sort of translated into this little painting :D

Catch A Falling Star by Perry Como

Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

For love may come and tap you on the shoulder some starless night
Just in case you feel you want to hold her
You'll have a pocketful of starlight
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Never let it fade away
Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket
Save it for a rainy day

The print is A4 size and printed on high quality acid-free art paper with a matt finish. Print is titled,dated and signed on the front. The artwork itself measures approximately 10 by 7.5 inches, leaving a white border around it for framing. Will be packed with great care in a bend-proof casing to ensure this reaches you in perfect condition. I do international shipping for all my artworks. Click on any of the thumbnails to see more of my art :D

Etsy Buy Handmade udonchow

Looking for gifts other than art prints, check out my zazzle store for close to 1000 product offerings! :D

I have set up Honeyrasin store selling my photography prints for about 3 and a half months now and I have made 4 sales there, yayyyy!Haha!:D I now have a total of 99 prints and still growing as the day passes. My prints come in all sorts of sizes,ranging from 6 x 4 to 15 x 10, customers can request for any desired size even if the product listing states otherwise. All prints are printed professionally on Fuji Color Crystal Archive Paper with matt finish, quality guaranteed and they come ready to be framed. Prints will be sent to the customers in a bend-proof casing to ensure prints' condition remain intact. My subject interests are pretty wide...so there is something in there for everyone, wall art for homes and offices :D Click on any of the thumbnails to view the photos, do give it some time for the thumbnails to appear.

Here's the lastest of the lastest from my store, a little fun treat for the bathroom, kitchen or for any tako lover! :D


"Tako-Momoko In Distress!"



Tako-Momoko at her wits end now, will she be able to make her escape from the notorious tako hater sushi chef??

Etsy Buy Handmade Honeyraisin

An acrylic painting that was inspired after watching Hong Kong arthouse director,Wong Kar Wai's film In The Mood For Love, set in 60s Hong Kong. For those in the west who may not be familiar with Wong Kar Wai, he's also the one who directed "My Blueberry Nights" starring Jude Law and Norah Jones. In The Mood For Love is a story written by Wong about forbidden love and in the story, the female and male leads shared some special moments in room 2046 - writing martial novels :D The chinese title of this movie is Hua Yang Nian Hua. The Chinese title, Huayang Nianhua (translated in the subtitles as "Full Bloom" but more accurately meaning "those wonderful varied years"), is more suggestive of period nostalgia and the Shanghai association, pointing to an iridescent, kaleidoscopic age of bygone elegance and diversity.




This painting is my personal interpretation of the following lines from the movie. "In the old days, if someone had a secret they don't want to share what do they do? They went up a mountain, find a tree,carved a hole in it and whispered the secret into the hole. Then they covered it with mud. And leave the secret there forever."


Original Paintings And Signed Prints Of The 2 Paintings Are Available At:

http://www.udonchow.etsy.com


Tees And Gifts Available In Zazzle, click to see more :D

There was one period when I was so into floral photography and my zazzle store was filled with mainly florals. I returned to my first love, Toy Photography. Here are some of my recent ones which I just added to my zazzle store:

Ellen's Owl Family Members

These are some of the selected ones for this shot. The latest addition to the Owl Family is the blue and white porcelain looking owl, it's actually a jug or a vase for that matter.



Little Starfish

I brought this starfish (one of my photography models) to Phuket last month, love the foamy water bubbles here :D




The Reader

This one's really small, about an inch tall only. The main draw is the sleepy eyes :D



Finding Mary

Mary's lamb went astray....however he does not give up hope in finding Mary, love his never say die spirit.





Ophelia Loves Rainy Days

....and so do I..especially when I am at home, watching the pouring rain from my window and taking in the smell of rain :D

Ophelia the Owl marvels at the fact that even the vastness of the ocean cannot hinder kindred spirits from finding each other, it must be the work of destiny!

This recent piece of artwork is an inspiration from my island vacation at Phuket, Thailand. Had a lazy and fulfilling time at the beaches with my husband.....and bubbling with love within....and so here it is...my thoughts captured on canvas :D



Prints of "Bubbling With Love" and my other art prints are available at my etsy store, http://www.udonchow.etsy.com All prints are printed on A4 size quality acid free paper with matt finish, signed, titled and dated by me.

You can view my other "Bubbling With Love" gifts at my Zazzle store, http://www.zazzle.com/udonchow

Our trip to Phuket was on impulse, unplanned. Thanks to budget airline, Airasia, we were able to purchase return tickets for 2 at only 1600 baht, never had it so cheap before! So anyhow, we happily booked our tickets and set off for the sunny island in June. While we were anticipating this trip, the rainy season came early this year for Thailand. It was pouring daily since early June and all the weather forecast websites predicted that it would be pouring in Phuket for all the days of our trip there. Guess what? It was sunny (so sunny and hot!) for the 4 days while we were there :D Even Heaven couldn't bear to dampen our trip, that was nice and kind :D

We were there only for 4 days and we stayed on the Phuket Island itself, we decided not to go on hopping to the nearby small islands and chose just explore the different beaches and sights on Phuket (we wanted to enjoy it slow and lazy). We spent 2 nights at Karon Beach and 1 night at Naiharn Beach. Karon beachfront is the longest in Phuket I think, we went there partly because we wanted to avoid the crowded and noisy Patong, If you are in for some nightlife and party, Patong is the place for you :D My husband woke me up slightly before 6am to catch the sunrise on the 2nd day but we were already too late. Still, we managed to capture some of these dawn shots at Karon.



This dog here is a stray which we met just outside the hotel while we were on the rush to view the sunrise. It was pitiful looking because it had a deformed jaw, we guessed it must have met with an accident. I love this shot of him and glad it was somehow being "immortalised" in my photography :D




We came back to Karon beach again to capture the colors of the sunset. The sand there is so fine and soft to walk on. What amazed me most was the reflections of the skies on the sand, BEAUTIFUL :D







We stayed at Naiharn Beach on our last night there. We chose Naiharn because it was reputed to be one of the most beautiful beach there. I had to agree because it was much much more exclusive (partly because it is kind of hard to travel to the beach). Naiharn beach is a lagoon that's shaped like a crescent. Somehow, I think the waters here look more turquoise and beautiful here as compared to elsewhere on the island. I could fall fall in love with this view again and again :D








We had to catch the sunset at Cape Promthep :D Was a good thing for us that the Cape was only a few kilometers away from our resort. Tourists from all over flocked to this viewpoint, known to be one of the best views one can capture for sunset on Phuket. We were there early to "book" our spot for a good sunset view. This is a shot of me while waiting for the sunset moment.




And the moment we waited for arrived and we were not in the least disappointed :D




You can view more of my Phuket photography gifts at http://www.zazzle.com/heartworks

I received a suprise in the mailbox the other day, a friend of mine mailed me a gift of a vintage owl from Canada! This owl should be about 30 years old by now and I just decided to call her Aunt Owlivia :D She has this nuturing look about her and she looks like a hospitable owl, always welcoming friends to her house and preparing great food for them. Hope you like these pics of Aunt Owlivia :D



 

You can check out more of my owl photography gifts at http://www.zazzle.com/heartworks

This is my neighbour's pet rooster. We had a cut of electricity supply yesterday afternoon due to a severe thunderstorm. The rain stopped after several hours of pouring but the electricity supply was still cut. Not wanting to stay in the house,I decided to visit this rooster. He isn't an extraordinary looking rooster but I find myself attracted to him when he first arrived at our neighbourhood. He has this princely air about him when he walks and even when he's all by himself in his garden patch home. Since he's really quite shy, I decided to follow him around, keeping a distance of 8-10 metres.

In his little garden patch home....


 


He decided to go for an evening walk.....


 


Time to excerise his vocals.....


 

....again....


 


Even rubbish bins are objects of fascination for him....


 


Why did the chicken cross the road?


 


.....to get a drink from a nearby puddle...



 

.....or find food which one may not normally find.

 


He decided to call it a day....home sweet home.

This is an original oil pastel cum acrylic artwork on acid free Fabriano 4 Art Paper, measures approximately 20 by 14 inches. It is now available for sale at my etsy store, http://www.udonchow.etsy.com . I ship internationally and shipping fees have been waived :D

Legend had it that an ancient giant goldfish once ate some magic bread crumbs and grew so big and so powerful that it was able to leap from its' pond into the skies, travelling at unbelievably high speed across the skies. However to retain its' magical powers, this legendary goldfish had to fulfill a good deed every night. The giant goldfish had the ability to detect sincere longings of those who desire to go on a sky odyssey. Somewhere a thousand miles away, the giant goldfish heard the desperate cry of a little owl named Ophelia whose dream was to go on a sky odyssey to visit new lands and oceans. Thanks to the benevolent giant goldfish, Ophelia's wish had been granted!

I used to keep goldfishies when I was a little girl. Though not so nice things have been said about them, I still think they are one of the cutest and most lovable looking fresh aquarium fish around. Maybe it's because I have always fancied things that are round :D This little artwork and story is my way of redeeming the goldfish I suppose...at least in my story and art, I can make it the hero and help make my little Ophelia's dreams come true :D

I'm so pleased to announce that book featuring Ophelia The Owl artworks is finally being made available on lulu.com.

Ophelia the Owl invites you into her inner world of beauty and thoughts in this colorful 27 page collection of art and inspirational messages, both written and illustrated by me. It contains 20 original artworks and each artwork is accompanied by a thought or sentiment about life's journey. The artwork on the book cover is titled Metamorphosis, a piece that's dedicated to the beautiful butterfly in all of us :D Ophelia is a very special owl to me and can be seen in many of my artworks. To view them, do visit my etsy gallery at http://www.udonchow.etsy.com

I've included some of the paintings from the book in this entry. They are all created with oil pastel cum acrylic on paper and wooden panels. I hope you will enjoy these pics and check out this new book of mine! Just click on the lulu icon and it will take you to the page instantly. Thanks!!

Thanks to Mayo_Cute's encouraging response towards my previous posting, I decided to post somemore bird pics here, enjoy :D

I am feeling accomplished today, I just published my second photography book at lulu.com, "A Window Perspective". I included the note below in the book, it pretty sums up why I chose such a seemingly boring subject to work on. In it contains close to 90 original photography shots by me from ONE window, my bedroom window. The reason as to why I decided on just a window perspective and not many windows' perspective is because it enables the artist to go deeper in appreciation of this perspective, searching and covering various views and angles.

"Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous" - Bill Moyers

I started this book to celebrate the simple and often unnoticed beauty that can be found in the most mundane settings of everyday life. I live in a terrace house and some 8 metres across my house is a long row of terrace houses, blocking the rest of the view. I used to lament how uninteresting and unstimulating my window view was. Now I know how wrong I had been! I am grateful how this personal project turned out to be personally rewarding and enriching. A lesson that will always stay with me: Before one can have new eyes and new perspectives, one needs renewal in attitudes. To learn, unlearn and relearn, that is what I will endeavor to live my life by. Thank you for sharing my window perspective, I hope your window view will never look the same again :D The book with hard cover binding contains close to 90 original photographs, all taken from ONE window perspective. Makes a delightful coffee table book gift for yourself and friends :D

As you are not able to peek into the book contents at lulu, here are some of my favourite captures :D



























Hope you enjoyed this little preview :D

We set out to explore Mae Rim after strong recommendations from the guesthouse owner. Mae Rim is only about 40 minutes drive from the city. We hopped onto the tuktuk taxi who agreed to drive us to and back to guesthouse for 500 baht (US$15). Very reasonable rates as we started off about 11am and returned about 6.30 pm. While we were touring the different attractions along the Mae Rim stretch, he waited patiently for us in his tuktuk. We gave all the adventure outdoor activities a miss and concentrated more on the scenic relaxing attractions.





The tuk tuk driver was explaining to us about the Thai Royal Family Project. It was set up to help the Miao hilltribe people earn their livelihood through planting vegetable crops and not opium.









Tita Gallery was our last stop for the day, the sun was setting when we reached there. An excellent place to rest after a long day of non-stop walking. This place is situated somehere in the Mae Rim hills. The gallery (though small but very presentable) showcases contemporary art pieces of Thai artists. Next to the gallery is the Wawee cafe (the pics above). I love this place very much, there's a bamboo grove that you can admire while sipping your tea, I felt that I was in some kind of a painting! I strongly recommend that you make Tita Gallery one of your stop should you visit Mae Rim one day :D

This cat's name is Error. I met him during my recent vacation in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He's a 3 year old Persian....as old as the boutique guesthouse which I stayed when I was there.



The guesthouse is called Banila, pronounced as Bun-Ai-La, a clean,cozy no fuss no frills lodging just 10 minutes drive from the city. We were glad that we spent 5 out of the 7 days there, the rates are fantastic, 500 baht (US$15) for airconditioned room and cheaper if you take rooms with fans. Visit the website, www.banilah.com, you will be amazed at how little you are paying to stay in this lovely guesthouse :D





Back to Error the Persian, he's one of the 11 cats who live at Banilah. I like him a lot. Unlike the rest of the cats,he was grounded within the vicinity of the cafe cum lobby because he was recovering from a bad stomach. Perhaps that was why he looked a little grumpy and was always looking out of the window.








I captured numerous shots of Error and some of his fellow housemates during my stay and published a book out of them. A photography book with some diary entries by a cat, titled "A Cat's Valentine Diary". Error became the centre of this little story and he was the one filling in those diary entries about him pining for a female cat he secretly admires. This book is currently available here:

I found this old photo, me and my first few owl paintings :D This was taken in Bangkok 5 years ago on the rooftop of an apartment that I rented. I was posted to Bangkok for business purposes for 2 years and I supposed the pace of life there allowed me to pursue painting...which was something that didnt occur to me when I was in Singapore. So since then, no looking back!:D






This is my latest work on wood, "The Old Has Gone, The New Has Come!" Ophelia wishes all of us a Happy New Year and may 2009 usher greater things that are in store for all of us ^ _ ^

My husband ordered these 2 mouth watering dishes yesterday and I know my friend, Steven, will be pleased to see 2 of his favorite Thai dishes here on LJ! Steven, these shots were taken with you in mind, Bon Appetit! ^ _ ^


Som Tum (Spicy Papaya Salad)


 


Pad Thai( Fried noodles with prawn and omelette)

I bought this tee from a fellow Redbubbler and it's my first gothic tee :D The digital painting on my tee is titled "Dolly Broke" by Shanina Conway from Down Under. I find it surprising too that I should fall in love with this design....simply because this is not something that I would normally choose to wear. When I first saw it, I just fell in love with it :D I purchased another one recently....yes, by the same artist. It's called "Gothic Angel", that one was another love at first sight!! Unlike this one, Gothic angel is anime sweet type of art with black and dark red roses and a pretty doe eyed black winged angel.I will post a shot when I get the tee.This is Shanina's Redbubble gallery link:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/allegra




Yay, I love my tee!! The tee and print quality's good too, I'm wearing a medium sized ladies fit tee :D I dont do tees at my Redbubble gallery yet....if happen to want to visit my gallery there, it's http://www.redbubble.com/people/udonchow