safari

I had a request to think up a design with a safari print..for a girl & she likes red. The minute i heard the words " safari print" , fortunately, a design hit me almost instantly. The concept I had in mind was pretty interesting. I wanted the shoe to have a print where it looked "graphic" yet like the canvas was ripped/torn off like paper & exposed an under side with the safari prints.

So i made a rough sketch as a proposal for the customer-->
The customer gave the thumbs up & i went on to working on the shoe itself. THEN *car screeeeech!* i realized the work area on the shoe was smaller than expected & the name couldn't "sit" like in the sketch..instead it'll cover quite a portion of the shoe. I edited the colors as I went along & got a feel for the design on the shoe. I also altered the position of the prints as i worked on the shoe, so here's the result:

"how's it hanging? whatcha doing?"

what's new pussy cat? LOL sketches! Some work i did while I was at work. En joy!

mediums: pencil, ink

thoughts while sketching all that: bliss...pure bliss..

feelings: i ROCK. LOL

** peace** xoxo

" Art is never finished, only abandoned"

I've recently taken an interest to typography more than i used to..& with more recent requests for me to design the customer's names on their shoes...I started sketching type designs & layouts. ALL hail "Miami Ink", those guys are crazy & thanks to that show, tattoo art have caught my interest as well. Here's one of the many sketches I just did in my trusty lil moleskin.

Stay tuned! I'll be coming up with a limited edition series of shoe designs & tee designs " tattoo inspired" ;) Better yet, let me update you...so sign up with me over on the left. (Preview)

XOXO

skull head & wings

It's been a while since I last put up something & just for the record...I'm still alive & kicking. LOL... What have I been up to? Well people, check the image on the left. I've started placing online advertisements about my shoe customizations & I've been busy with work as well as working on the shoe orders. Here's one order that I'm currently working on for a guy that caught my ad off www.mocca.com. He requested for a skull head & bat wings + a black cat. Inspired by the band "avenged7fold".


Here's the preliminary sketch.

fluidity 2: water & lines

Again, the design was left up to me. I based this design on the previous shoe ( in the previous post) but made lil changes to this one so it's unique. I hope you like it! As always, email me to if your interested to get yourself a pair done. ( P/s : do leave a way for me to get back to you about any details I'll need. =) )

fluidity

So the guy wanted something designed in black n white..cool i said, that'll be easy & i did it all the patterns in black first..something was missing. It looked dull not to mention flat. So i dyed the back portion of the shoe gray so the white in the design really popped..The gray really gave it a lil more depth. The tinges of blue & yellow were to accentuate the fluid lines. Think of it as waves on a stormy night kinda.

color me PINK!

FROM THE LEFT : -the complete pair - the close up - the preliminary sketch out


This request was simple..use pink. The concept was tricky. The execution was a "thumb-sore". So enjoy! This one was made upon special request ;)

**peace out**

yes or no?

Does MONEY make the world go round?

It's an arguable question a lot will say. Honestly...& really quite sadly, I think the answer is a yes.

*DEBATE it please if you dare*

a cup of tea & a ramble ( no, it's not a tea time pastry)

"Imagination's playing round for free
In my world I take him out for tea
Oh my God, can't say no

Skipping school, go walk for air
I just had to get out of bed
I'm on overload in my head

Train comes I don't know its destination
It's a one-way ticket to a madman's situation"

So during tea with my imagination, we get into a deep topic of conversation...

LIFE is what you make of it...( so I've been reminded by someone wiser than I :)) What comes to mind when you think of the local Singaporean kid? OK, here's how my train of thought looks like in my mind--->>----->

SG kid--> government school--> studying + spectacles--> exams + tests--> SQUARE--> "Ma & Pa says " study hard...all the way until cannot study anymore. Be a doctor, get the 5 Cs (very important)" --> *SCREEECH* >

Tell me I'm wrong about this but I've come to observe that a lot of kids don't know really, what exactly it is that they are interested in & will want to do FOR LIFE so they end up spending their parents cash on all the diplomas, degrees in the world just so they have a long list of alphabets before/after their name. So they've got this safety net because they can't think of what they want ( WHY? because they've never been allowed that chance to try & venture out...wonder about all the "What ifs". I'm really lucky I've been brought up to question "why this, why that, what if I...", but as much as my parents encourage all that... They made sure I knew I had to bear the consequences ( if at all there were any).

What I want to do & where I should go has been pretty clear the minute I discovered the lines I drew looked really good compared to the boy/girl sitting next to me in primary school *AHEM* & right here today as I'm writing this post, I've in hand 3 years of fine tuning my art + design skills in graphic/advertising design & it's not that I'm bored with what I'm doing..if anything else, my love & beliefs in graphic/advertising design have grown by leaps n bounds (picture me singing " THE HILLS ARE ALIVE~ with the sound of...my mouse clicking). HOW & WHY am I thinking about all this now u might ask? It's because I'm at this point in my life where I'm questioning who I am (again) & I just need the time right now to find myself ( WAIT wait..hold up..how did this start?) I'm nursing 2 bad injuries & it's not been easy keeping at the pace I've been working at, keeping up all my work to meet the deadlines. Frankly, my work's piling up & I have no choice still but to rest in between all the chaos then I started thinking...( taking into consideration A LOT of other issues):

1) Who's Jessica?
2) Do I still want what I wanted 3 years ago?
3) What am I capable of?
4) Am I where I want to be?
5) Is there something missing in my life right now? & what is/are they?
6) u know...& more questions like that :P ( I'm not gonna tell u all of em =x)---> GET UR OWN GOSSIP! :P

I'm no big daredevil or one for taking blind risks ( & i think most people aren't) but I calculate the risks involved & am always weighing the pros + cons for everything (I'm a darn weighing scale/balance for god's sake!). If there is one thing though, is that I DARE...take off my shoes & walk barefooted down orchard road...LOL im jk ;) So I've decided I NEED TO DO THIS..to find myself & get those questions answered. Look, stepping on the brakes while on the road to gaining a step to securing financial stability for myself can wait..I'm young, I've got my whole life ahead of me to finish where i left off..I'm not gonna be one of the spoon fed kids that have no minds/opinions or legs of their own to stand on ( never was, never will be & I'm NEVER gonna let my kids turn out that way *amen*)

**we pause to interrupt you with this fairly entertaining question** TRUE OR FALSE?---> " I don't think creative minds were ever spoon fed kids." *pause..take a moment to wonder about it* :P (GOOD..see you're starting to think like me..*COUGH!*)



"more tea sir?"

"no thank you. I had fun."

"Pleasure was all mine. Let's do this again. ;)"

The Waves at Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai..redone by me

Talk about a wearable piece of art. This here people is a pair i did recently for someone. A head turner? For sure. Get one if you know you're worth it.


The photo on your left is with 1 side completed & the other side after i dyed the shoe.

That on your right is the shoe up close. Happy viewing! ;)


** & like usual..email me to get your very own. **

Head over heels...

On my "day-off", I was limping around the mall near my place & you know...the funny thing is you can never turn your mind off. I don't know if that's ever even possible, seriously. ( ummm, Whoever reads this...if you do know the secret to switching off completely. Drop me a note.)

Alright so, I entered this store...lo & behold! I find another model of shoe ( the plain canvas kind). PURRRFECT. Just as a tee is a plain canvas, these shoes are too... Anything could be a canvas to explore ideas right? I HAD to have one to "test run". The larger blank space available on this new style was the best. I was suddenly "inspired" 8-) Riighht.. CHECK this out:

<------------Over on the left was completely "freestyled". Meaning to say I didn't really "plan" out what I wanted to draw..I just "felt" the design & let it come naturally. I knew I wanted something more "geometric" & something just alil "retro" looking. Like all the other shoes, they're waterproof, fade proof :) Colors used : black, purple , silver & shimmery blue.

**Email me for size range, prices & if you've got a particular design request ;) I'll see what I can do. Just mention slip-ons if you're interested in this model of shoe. **

more than just lines on a blank canvas

If it's on shoes, why not flip flops?
Water proof designs.
Email me for prices & size requests.

Art school confidential Part II

Right...so 6 months ago, this point in time seemed really distant almost like a dream I had last night ---> whacked out art school students lining the walkways with a burning cig. hanging off the corner of their lips, some with their headphones on, some talking in groups, some on their prized hand phones yakking, dance students walking around in leotards, the design students roaming the premises with their digital SLR's, fine art students sitting along the corridors sketching, kids with paint splattered jeans, then there's those who come to school as if they're participating in an on-going fashion parade. I see it in the distance, that black building that looks like a piece of Lego. As I pull up, the crowd of "arty farty" kids appear behind every wall along every corridor...

WHAM! Then it hit me, this ain't no dream man..."hello, Jessica. Welcome back to Lasalle-SIA. Today you actually DO have an orientation. CHECK B1-08/09 & you are in fact REALLY standing on the newly renovated floor of your new school premise. GOOD morning :) " 8-) ! BUT okay, walked in..looked left : there was "trying to look cool n all" dude looking at me..I turn & walk some more...to my right : TRUCKLOAD OF new students on a tour of the grounds. Right up in front----> live band!! ( i thought for a moment! OH AWESOME..live music..i LOIKE EHLOT). Stood near listening to em for abit then realized " oh shit. I've got a few minutes to search this gi-normous campus for basement 1.

Searching searching..."GOD i don't know where it is. Obviously it's 1 level down, no?" But i ask the locker rental lady anyways." excuse me. Do you know where basement 1 is?"

" NO> check the map lah... 8-)"
( What can I say--> Singaporeans are so! helpful. good help lady. I wonder if you know where your lockers will be at? geez.)

So I checked the map & stood there for 10 minutes. Lemme tell ya, it DID not help much at all. I strapped on my bag again & went down, walked around peeped through all the glass doors. BINGO..i recognized the bunch that are going to "$%&! my world up. Awesome ( see I'm brimming with joy & anticipation) Weird thing is though... they're the bunch that are going to $%&! my world up but they'll be the most honest, helpful bunch I know. See, it's kind of a love hate relationship. 8-) Where as on the other hand, I could wind up with the most horrid back-stabbing class of designers just waiting for you to fall & spill your guts. Then they'll bend down look at you, ask "you ok?" Without waiting for an answer from you, they'll rummage through your spilled guts, pick out what's of use to them & be on their way. I mean who knows...they might be able to communicate an idea while making some $$ with my guts? No shit.


Right then..I got shot back in time 3 years ago when I first joined the school at the old campus. Completely alone & everything seemed new, weird, foreign even albeit interesting. ;) If there's just one thing about being back at Lasalle, it's interesting what you'll see. That absolute first time I was being interviewed for my place in school, I looked around & seriously...my heart stopped cuz I was thinking NOO WAY! These people for real? I've not met people quite like this..tattooed & pierced where you can only imagine, hair dyed, braided in dreadlocks, some with styles completely of their own. God I felt out of place & I thought "mmm...maybe I don't belong here. This isn't quite my thing." ( WRONG answer. I'm back here 3 years later & I can say " I like it. yet I don't still. I don't know. It's almost hard to explain.)


I don't know how this year's gonna turn out. Probably better than the last one. I admit...I PLAN ON KICKING BUTT *ahem* ( excuse me). Then again, I can't lie...there's days like today I sit back thinking "god I hope i don't end up wasting my time here." Cuz seriously, since when has Art or design ever needed a certificate of qualification to prove an artist can paint, a designer can create? 8-) Food for thought?

XOXO gotta run lash in my eye

Feast your eyes on this...

"MAAD fresh", they said. Come one come all.
Here's the third customization job.
COMPLETELY hand customized.
Email me for price quotes
or for any questions.

MAAAD fresh.

Hey all :) This is the new "produce" fresh outta my hands. Canvas lace ups. All hand done. Dyed & drawn. **WARNING! colors do not rub off or wash off . They stay as is--->awesome :P **

To get your very own , email me.

Tourists get 30% discount (big grin)

I enjoyed my evening for the most part of it today :) Just this 1 teensy thing that tickled me... See I was at boat quay this evening, walking down the row of riverside eateries. OH kay, we past the first restaurant," ma'am, how about some seafood for you? We have crab, Singapore food, thai food...yada yada. Tourists get 30% discount!" I just smiled & said oh, no thank you. I'm just taking a walk.

Restaurant 2:
"miss! Come try our seafood. Our prices are very good. We have Singaporean food. Tourists get 30% discount! Must try our...blah blah"

Restaurant 3:
"Sir, miss. Try our curry? Very delicious."

Restaurant 4:
"Ma'am, sir...come come. Seafood for you. Tourists get 30% discount? (wide smile)"

Me," oh thank you. I'm just walking."

"okay. Come back later? Think about it? Here take my name card"

This went on as I walked down the long stretch of restaurants & pubs. Then it hit me. (eyes wide open) They think I'm a tourist!!! OH for god's sake...did I speak different? Look foreign? Any tell- tale signs? WHAM! there it was...He who was walking next to me had on (drum roll) his sticker from the museum we were at earlier. Then I figured, good idea..since they "cut your throat" at these places. A 30% discount sounds brilliant. So I put my rising hand back down. I was so tempted to reach across his chest & rip off the blue sticker.

I had a plan...I'd take on a "tourist persona" for the evening if need be....so we're walking & walking...more of these people tried luring us to have dinner "with them". Then I saw it, smiling at me. "Coffee bean" LOL. No "local/tourist discrimination", it was Al-fresco. Loved it...I sat drinking my usual & having a sandwich. Lo & behold, I was in perfect position to people-watch, watch the fireworks, army jets & 5 guys "falling from the sky" in well-timed precision. Awesome.

I've decided I should do this more often then? Maybe I will.

**wan an**

VOTE "CMYT". Because we "care". :P

INTERNET + EMAIL ADDRESS = THE LATEST ON CMYT

Need I say more?

Sign up for the CMYT newsletter & be the first to know what's up or not, what's new & hot. If you, like me, believe in spending $$ on great design, "designing for humanity", then sign up for *me* on the left. It's free & what's the worse that could happen?------> you'll just get an e-newsletter about what's going on down here & maybe even a free CMYT customized goodie ;) FYI: If for any reason, you wish to unsubscribe to us. The option is available. No worries.

CollectMYShoes // CMYS // CollectMYShoes // CMYS

//CMYT puts up CMYS (collectmyshoes)//

okay so you know what makes a great outfit...It doesn't have to be the latest designer gear, the weirdest geometric haircut & dye job, it's pure attitude. How you let yourself carry off the pieces you wear really defines the outfit & could very well make you look like Kate Moss next to the neighborhood "Lian" at the traffic light crossing in front of Heeren. So check this right...

In our very first few posts, I announced we "do" shoes: we customize your chuck taylors, your "Batas" ( if you request ;) ) Or you could just "collect my shoes". What happens is..every few months, here at CMYT, we churn out graphics/illustrations that have a "theme" .


The current upcoming collection ( which would be out first) is "Japanese inspired". Be sure to watch this space for the latest kicks. Again, for any questions or requests, just email me. ;)

**signing out**

It bugs me...

the increase of ignorant irresponsible shallow Singaporeans that bring their dogs to the beach merely for use as an "accessory" like the latest color of Havaianas on their perfectly pedicured feet.

YES! the Husky is a BEE-A-Utiful breed of dog, NOT SUITABLE FOR OUR CLIMATE for god's sake! Is that so hard to understand? The thing I can't quite get over is how the authorities allow pet shops & people to bring in Huskies?! That poor dog has the fur coat as thick as the skulls of all these local yuppies buying them. LOL.

A few houses down before mine, there's a family that just had their Husky shaved ( okay so that's the smartest thing I've seen done other than keeping their dog cooped up in an air-conditioned room) Which BTW, isn't quite "cold" enough. You see...where they come from the temperature's a good minus xx degrees. 8-) That's 1. So 2, how big is that room? (HONESTLY!) They're big dogs. Unless you've got your entire house air-conditioned 24/7, I think that's just cruel, keeping the dog inside like that. Not to be a "pain in the butt" but also having the air-condition on 24/7 contributes to global warming which in turn again affects not just us but the endless amount of animals living in the colder countries FYI 8-). If there's ever something else that Singapore could be known for other than their "Singlish Lahs, Lors & mehs" , its that they're a very selfish irresponisble bunch of humans that walk this section of the Earth. They'll drive to the shop that's a 5 min walk from their home. (C'MON!) Back to the dogs...

So I've established that these dogs shouldn't be here. Now we'll look at the stupid bunch that brings them to the beach where they're under direct heat exposure! It's come to my attention that I've observed a significant increase in "Husky beach wearers". Why?? Seriously..why?? Do you think it brings you more attention? Well, I feel sad for you people if you lack such self confidence that you need to torture an animal to feel noticed. ;) OH & did I mention..the "A-typical" crowd most responsible for this behaviour would be those in their 20s-30 somethings? ( mmm hmm the yuppies that work "OH SO HARD" at their cushy banker & business jobs during the week in their Prada & Armani suits whom have no "cause" better to spend their extra $$ on but an IMPORTED dog as yet another status symbol **check Prada & armani suits for work**)

Then there's those that bring their dogs for the fun of it ( which is a nice thought...ONLY if your dog enjoys the water right?) 8-) Geez. I see these people set up their spot under that beach hut, flip open their beach chairs & other nonsense that they've brought to feel like they've not left their HDB flat 8-) :P then grab their cowering pooch & run towards the water. The poor dogs' got its tail between its legs<---is that not a sign enough apart from the "cowering" factor? LOL thick skulls indeed. Tsk tsk. Yes they're natural swimmers, sure you drop them in..they'll swim. Where? TO SHORE! Get it? some of them just don't like it. IMAGINE having a fear of heights, then your parents just grab you & push you off a cliff to dive into the sea below ( of course knowing that's safe for you ;)).

"don't do unto others what you'd not want done to yourself"

To make matters worse...continue imagining that your parents went to the extent to have lifeguards fish you out of the water as your swimming to shore for dear life & to get the hell away from them, but a lifeguard gets a hold of you & brings you back to your parents only to have them throw u back in again! That's exactly what you twits are doing to your dog you say you love. RIGHT! 8-)

p/s Food for thought. ( although i know alot of you wouldn't give a $%&! about it any more than what food item you should indulge yourself with later :P)

**signing out**

sometimes...

It's 1.35am. I've been working a near straight...XX hrs ( soooraay, brain's not functioning LOL) okay...I've been working since 2.15pm (today) & if I count working through the previous night too..that'd make it, since 10pm the night before. (cries out silently, "help me").

**end of physical update**


Here's what happened in between when I took a break today:

"hi, welcome to Starbucks! what would you like?"

( smiles while thinking " to be run over by a truck & sent to heaven cuz I didn't kill myself..I only wished for it")

"hi :) Could I have...a grande iced caramel macchiatto & what's your strongest coffee?" ( knowing fairly well that would be an expresso but hoping that there's of a higher dose, something to "knock me out")

"sure. That's $9.90 miss." ( hands bill) "wait over there for your drinks"

"thanks"

Now I'm sitting here in my cold room with a cold double shot expresso & a finished iced caramel macchiato, recalling what someone told me...
Jess, your "terrible". Think of all the poor people your making work at the coffee plantations. I said, " you do know that's how they make their $$ right? I mean c'mon, I work long hours sometimes through the night. coffee "helps". Plus, look at this way. Plantation workers--->farm the beans--->makes their $$--->who buys em? People like me. Designers do.----> they get their cash. It's a cycle. We need them. They need us." Then this person said. " maybe you should go live in brazil. Learn about their coffee n stuff. "

My mind instantly began imagining "life in Brazil".... OKAY let's start out with a brilliant opening here: I own a coffee plantation, making tonnes of cash ( we're writing the script "HOLLYWOOD style" ;) FYI). I wake up in the morning sitting in a bikini by the pool that overlooks my coffee plantation, sipping on a aromatic cup of UH...coffee. I've got "guards" all over the place to watch my land. I hear shots fired down at the plantation. Sudden commotion. I jump up & wrap myself in a white robe ( which apparently came with loaded guns in the pockets) ROFL. 8-) Suddenly i turn around & I've got a cigar in my mouth, hair in wet tendrils, large aviator shades sitting low on my nose bridge, 2 guns in hand, white robe untied & blowing in the wind. (LOL can u believe this..I can't) Then listen! stop the laughing, look----------> ( my big lines follow) " Catch dem. Bring dem to meeee. I waont dem alive." ( & yup pronounced exactly that way) Next thing I know, I'm running in my haivaianas (of course "check BRAZIL" rofl) & I'm ending this scene with a classic: "I'll Be BACK".

*end of scene* thank u thank u. 8-) :P

(Again, no offense. It's just my imagination. Nothing intended to offend anyone with that short script)

So that chain of "thought" has ended & I'm just pondering about my day up until now. Why does it seem like I'm god's "toy", like he's having fun watching my sometimes pathetic life? ( OH...i get it..maybe he created the pc game "the sims"? I'm his new character.) I'm jk! (don't send me to hell purrrleaseeee....) It's just that it feels like...whenever my life's going rather good..everything's as I want it, everyone's doing fine yada yada..he swoops down on me to make sure I'm in check by throwing me a week of crap to deal with? (HALLO! I appreciate what I've got, you don't have to do this to me know? I didn't just blow $300 on a Hermes scarf to wipe my butt..know what I mean?) Basically, I've just had barely 2 hours of sleep, not eaten much & survived on 3 cups of tea/coffee..( i think that's bad...i know it could be worse but still). I feel like i've just been run over by a car. There's 1 thing that summarizes that up tho.."LIFE". ( not that I've lived long enough to say I've been through everything..but I know that's just how it goes..)

What should I do then if "life's" gonna be that way every once & again? Of course being away on a good holiday would do wonders..BUT who has that luxury all the time? So I turn to the little things that make me happy, that make my day..the lil perks.



1. A GOOOOD cup of earl grey tea ( chilled) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
2. A good read. ( I HEART NYLON)
3. Spending time with someone who'd make my day ;)
4. spraying on the best smelling perfume. ( My theory: "Smell good. Good day") rofl!
5. sketching/painting. Just making something with my hands.
6. rambling about pretty hilarious nonsense
7. a good gut wrenching laugh that leaves ur cheek muscles aching, face flushed.
8. reminding myself it won't be long when I'll next have my toes in sand, skin warmed by the sun & hair knotted by the salt water & wind...or... =x
9. Looking at something that makes me smile (inside & out). ( i recommend carrying that with you always if you've got something that makes u smile that way ;))
10. Try looking at the good I've accomplished today (....mmm...work..got some done...umm..)
11. GOOD MUSIC ( that's always a thumbs up)

Lastly, putting in a "request" that hopefully gets heard & answered......

" Forgive me for
what I've failed to accomplish.
Take away this run down feeling please.
Provide me with what I need.
Reward me with
what I wish"

** aight, back to the drawing board**

OH! & DO NOTE: all characters & scenes described are purely out of my twisted imagination (check "comecollectmythoughts"). "did I hear the crowd go awww..." 'haha :)

All the fuss about "LIVE EARTH"

( No, the world doesn't come in a "strip of 8 pills" where when one's taken, you have 7 more at your disposal. There's ONE. ONLY ONE earth.)-------> picture edited by Jessica C. ( all rights reserved)

I'm pretty sure everyone's felt the increase in temperature all over the world, not to mention noticed the rise in sea levels & more animals losing their homes...all thanks to all you selfish, careless people. *ahem*

Why only start thinking about the world now? Why did Al gore only suggest to have something to "save the world" NOW 8-) Never mind the rest of the world...let's take a look at Singapore. Why ask people to wear green on the 7-07-07 to show "support" for "LIVE EARTH"?? When everyone knows there's too many cars this tiny dot can contain? Would it not make more sense to encourage the people to leave their cars at home on this day instead of wearing green? Would it not make more sense to INCREASE the number of recycling bins all over the country? Would it not make more sense to have 1 day a week that certain busier streets are "closed off" ( like say closing all shops in orchard road earlier on 1 night. So less traffic, more people are at home..less CO2 production ;), than charging $0.50 - $2.00 for people to drive through "Orchard Road" cuz that would really reduce traffic too. I mean admit it..nearly everyone here can afford paying that 2 bucks to enter town, a few times a day ( we do have one of the highest no. of millionaires living here 8-)) So?

Plus! you know what? Singapore wants to be the "best in everything" ( you can't have EVERYTHING<--doesn't happen like that)..so instead of holding a "Ms Singapore Universe" every year ( where FYI ALL YOU BLIND people--> every year the girls look the same..u hardly can tell the contestants apart. It's clearly such a "low budget" affair. The girl's hardly are able to come across confident about what they think on certain topics ( BTW asking what guys would have to do to please the girls' moms IS NOT a proper question<---by answering that, you say the girls have beauty & brains...UH....i beg to differ). SO clearly deep down inside all local viewers ( you know Singapore wouldn't stand a chance at even getting to the top 20 in the Ms Universe pageant right?) So why waste money on events like the Ms Singapore Universe when the cash can be put to better use like making Singapore a "location of choice" for big name artistes? ( so at least we could hold a "live earth concert" here too?) See my point? ;) Recycled goods are expensive ( they're expensive why? cuz not many people opt for recycled items..I'm pretty sure 1 of the aims for holding the "LIVE EARTH" event was to make recycling & saving the earth the "IN-thing". <---take the "Louis Vuitton canvas tote ( "I'm not a plastic bag" craze too) Prices lower when more people buy an item right? So EVERYONE should opt for recycled toilet paper, kitchen towels...The more people use em, the cheaper n more recycled goods become readily available. There's always a 1st step..it's just who will take the 1st step. I admit I like having my coffee..& I LOVE the idea that places like Starbucks actually spend the extra cash they make, charging $6 a mug of coffee, on using recycled napkins. These coffee places also sell some pretty mugs, vacuum flasks/cups<---why not offering people the choice of buying those cups & bringing em in to be filled up with their choice of coffee (esp. for take-aways) instead of using plastic/paper cups? THERE'S SOMETHINGS YOU COULD ALSO DO TO HELP SAVE THE WORLD: 1. Instead of wasting $60 on an INK cartridge every time your out of ink at home...use re-manufactured ones that work exactly the same but cost less & helps save the world. (p/s if your seriously interested in using re-manufactured ink/toner/laser cartridges that helps save the world too...email me :))

2. You can sign up for a free account on care2.com & with just 1 click everyday, you're helping to save the dying world & the animals in danger of losing their homes + becoming extinct ;) (CHECK THIS BLOG FOR A LINK to care2.com )

3. Support using canvas bags instead of plastic ones when you shop. ( Check back on this blog every now n again for any new tote designs)

4. HERE'S a few other ways you can "work" with me to take a step to save this world by recycling:

- support CMYT's "less is more" packaging for all items purchased here.
- talk to me about ways you think I could use what I design for a "greater good"
- When at home ( & without work to do), use candles instead of your lights. ( SAVE energy, save the earth)
- Get used to showering ( notice i said showering. Not taking a bath ;) ) in colder water ( where possible :P) without the heater turned on
- Visit the zoo whenever you get the chance to ( you'll feel guilty learning about what these animals have "lost" because you chose to drink from a plastic bottle n dump it instead of recycling :P)

I could sit here the entire night & think up ways to help. You can too. This is just an "appetizer" ;)

XOXO one love XOXO

Write your BIGGEST wish on a piece of paper, then throw it away.

Alright so I'm sitting with my leg raised ( check what loose ligaments & a nasty fall does)..I've got a growing pile of work to get done (ads..& more ads..design for this.. design for that. OH wait..then there's a list of personal stuff always put on the back burner cuz *surprise!* There's more "URGENT" work)..My mind was trying to run away from facing the pile of work that sat in front of me & the work that was represented by a folder icon on my desktop where like a bomb ( 1 click..the entire folder "explodes" & I see my work expanded in various "parts" across my screen 8-)) HELP)<----before I go off course, I'll shut up about work..So since you know..I can't RUN run from the work, my mind did. Staring out into the WONDERFUL lush greenery that is of my tiny garden 8-), feeling the intense heat ( that only feels "right" if I was at the beach, in a pool or could walk around stark naked without being arrested), I thought.."DAMN! I seriously need a HOLIDAY..away from all this away from what I see everyday" **screEEeeeEech! car crashes into a wall**

"DARN caterpillars! They sure are having a feast on my plants.. holes EVERYWHERE on the bloody plant" , says head of household, Hazel Balhetchet.

(ah..so if you've not guessed it by now...I'm working at home this week. The ONE good thing, I can take my work anywhere with me)

I have a wish list. Lotsa things I'm hoping for. For me , for certain people, for the world...yada yada. Then my mind mindmapped into "Ways I can have the wish list answered". By a certain age, you'll come to realize that the tooth fairy doesn't actually exist & noo you won't get your wish answered that way. OH & someone brilliant comes up with "harry potter" & you think.."mm maybe i'll get my owl to send out my wish list" (RIGHT!)

"No sorray. It doesn't quite work like that."

Here's what I came up with sitting here : "Write your BIGGEST wish on a piece of paper, then throw it. Maybe someone will pick up. Maybe someone capable of answering that wish. Maybe someone that feels the same way & wants what you want too. Maybe someone who understands what you mean, someone who is bothered to pick up that strange piece of paper & read it ( like me), who'd analyze every ad on the streets, in the trains, at the malls, on the buses.

And IF! it's meant to be, you get what you wrote on the piece of paper cuz you managed to make it happen. AWESOME. If you don't, I'm pretty sure what you wrote on that piece of paper would've made the next person smile or laugh <--It's amazing that kinda "chain reaction".

p/s: This is one of the wishes ( not the biggest but one of it) ;)

Time on my side that will never end
The most beautiful thing I can ever spend
But I work in a shirt with my name tag on it
Drifting apart like a plate tectonic

It don't matter to me
'Cos all I wanted to be
Was a million miles from here
Somewhere more familiar


**signing out**XOXO

Prints for sale (framed or not)

Attention all! We've got graphic prints up for sale too. You can have em framed or not. ( A color swatch of frame colors will be up soon) Or you could let me pick a color that best accentuates what's in the print. For more, email me.

*1 print in a room, keeps the gloom away. U feel? I do. ;) *

Take me home ;)

So it was a Sunday morning, bright & early I sat in the pew. Listening to the priest..(right 8-)) Here's a prologue between mother n kid:

" get dressed child. we have to leave the house in 30 minutes to be in church"

" uh..what's the point of going to 'god's house' when he's already 'everywhere' i am?"

" ..."

child thinks (oh? no answer? God got your tongue?)

" Alright. you're going to church right now. we need to see the priest"

( In the priest's office...)

" So i hear your not wanting to come to church kid?"

" I'm a good catholic. I talk to god every day n night..plus plus. He's my 1800- toll free chat buddy. So i don't see why i need to be at his house to 'connect with god'"

" I see your point kid"

(mother rolls her eyes & wipes her forehead of "her invisible beads of sweat")

The priest excuses the mother out of the door to speak to the kid alone.

"Look father, It doesn't make my mom a better catholic for showing up in church every Sunday standing, sitting silent & nodding her head, kneeling & singing the tune-less songs when clearly..she sits there n falls asleep while your preaching"

Priest sits up straight, looking at the kid with more interest.

" Nor does it make my uncle anymore of a better catholic bringing his non-catholic wife (who FYI says "I should have remained at XXXX's house instead of coming") & his spoilt 8 year old to church. He let's her jump all over him, raising her voice whenever she pleases & worse...puts her with me in the pew in front of him"

"hmm..kid your onto something"

" i know i am" (grins the kid)

" So i don't think my absence in church today ( if that actually happened 8-)) should've been judged by my mom or uncle..or aunty or whoever else thinks they're of "authority" over me. Get what i mean?"

(u make a good priest kid) <---no the priest didn't say that. It was just my "imagination" LOL

Priest calls the mother back in.

" so father, what do u think?"

" Let your child be. The child will come back when ready"

" THANK U" (finally god answered a prayer)

just FYI...later during mass...the priest said " don't force your kids to come to church. God works in mysterious ways. They'll return when it's the right time." ( The kid was standing outside church)

Let's talk about BL!NG baby!

I'd call this a "statement" piece. Don't wear anything else with it (jewelry-wise) of course ;):P This piece was crafted from different broken up pieces of jewelry, charms, beads, pendants..It's in full 925 silver. This necklace highlights the facial features, sits nicely on the neck. Wear it to further bring out the simple silhouettes you're wearing while at the same time holding its own.

FYI: The piece you see here is already sold &! like I mentioned, is completely unique, not another in the world because (here's the catch):

1. I make a piece suited to your personality (if u wish)
2. The "parts" used to create the necklace or bracelet/earrings can either be chosen by me
OR
If you have broken jewelry that you love but cannot mend or have loose pendants, charms
beads, ( you name it, I can work it in): bring it to me & I'll build up a 1-of-a-kind piece for you.
3. I don't replicate the designs.

(Prices vary on how intricate the work is but the basic I charge for this customisation is SGD$25.) Email me for orders, shipping & payment info, advice on pieces you'd like created.

we do jewellery design as well or hand-crafted pieces ready for sale ;)

LISTEN up people!

This just in--> This piece was hand-crafted by me. It's a simple, clean cut design. A classic style & the shade of gold goes with most skin tones. If your mid-dark skinned, it's not an issue, you'll look gorgeous. If your rather fair (take me for example 8-)), it still suits rather well. Not a tad goudy at all ;)Psst~! Come 1, come all. Look see look see ^^^^^^ . There's only 5 in stock. Grab it fast. As it is, 2 out of the 5 are gone ;) Price: SGD$15 Email me for shipping & payment info or if you have any questions at all.

<>

Sometimes...shit happens & leaves a mess for you to clear up. You put what you want on hold & deal with it. We're under temporary "maintenance". Rest assured for all who have only seen my shadow, have faith. The much awaited catalogue of prints n items for sale will be out soon! (INSIDER info: *AHEM* arrival in a week) You'll see that being patient has rewards & I'll see that late nights , coffee & blowing cash on tooth whiteners are all worth it.

XOXO peace out XOXO lol

Art school confidential

2 advertisements designed to promote gender equity...

drive...

What drives you?

Introducing "CMYS" (pronounced see-my-S), shoe design/ customisation by yours truly ;)

SO..you're bored with the sneakers you've got on, your plain ol' Converses...LOOK NO FURTHER =D I'm proud to present..."CMYS". Basically, it's shoe customization like the one above. You tell me what you'd like to wear on your feet & i'll dream up a piece of art. The shoes are "wash-resistant" so you can wear em in the rain, the artwork doesn't "run". (Did a test-run with the one above ^ :P) (prices vary with the amount of work to be done on the shoe, so email me for a price quote & further enquiries. The price range should be within SGD $ 45-75. )

StarzZZzz in my eyes, your eyes, their eyes??

they'll be making sure you stay amused
they'll fill you up with drugs and booze
Maybe you'll make the evening news

And when you're tripping over your dreams
They'll keep you down by any means
and by the end of the night you'll be stifling your screams

Since you became a VIPerson
It's like your problems have all worsened
Your paranoia casts aspersions
On the truths you know

And they'll just put you in the spotlight
And hope that you'll do alright
Or maybe not

Now Why do you wanna go put starz in their eyes?
Why you wanna go put starz in their eyes?
so why you wanna go put starz in their eyes?
now why you wanna go put starz in there eyes
starz in their eyes?


Remember they said you'd show them all
Emphasise the rise but not the fall
And now you're playing a shopping mall

Your mum and dad they can't believe
What you appear to have achieved
While the rest of these users are just laughing in their sleeves

Since you became a VIPerson
It's like your problems have all worsened
Your paranoia casts aspersions
On the truths you know

And now the tabloids use your face
To document your fall from grace
And then they'll tell you that that's just the way it goes
That's just the way it goes

Now why do you wanna go and put starz in their eyes?
It's the same old story well they just didn't realise
And it's a long way to come from the dog and duck karaoke machine
And Saturday night's drunken dreams

Now why do you wanna go and put starz in their eyes?
It's the same old story but they just didn't realise
And it's a long way to come from your private bedroom dance routines
And Saturday night's drunken dreams
.....
(When I grow up im going to be famous)

Behind the steel barrier and sequence and glitter
Five inch heels still knee deep in the litter
Each of them a bitter bullshitter,
Wrapped up in the cloak of fake glamour, getting lost in the camera
Well footprints are fools gold, diamonds crusts on their one off plimsolls
So little time for these one off arseholes
Rigour mortis Ken and Barbie dolls,
A pair of big shades and a push up bra,
It's such a short gap between the gutter and stars,
That you've come a long way from the place that you started
So why'd you wanna go and get so down hearted

Welcome to the kingdom of the blagger
Uncutting you nose clean, coating you bladder
A whole lot happier a whole lot sadder,
Used to be satisfied but now you feel like Mick Jagger...

Now why do you wanna go and put starz in their eyes?
It's the same old story well they just didn't realise
And it's a long way to come from the dog and duck karaoke machine
And Saturday night's drunken dreams

Now why do you wanna go and put starz in their eyes?
It's the same old story well they just didn't realise
And it's a long way to come from your private bedroom dance routines
And Saturday night's drunken dreams

Makes Me Wondur $%!@

*warning all characters are purely fictional TO YOU not me. (..however, any resemblence to people you know or yourself for that matter has got NOTHING to do with me ;) *

Woke up with bloodshot eyes, struggled to get myself up to answer the pounding on the door. They stormed in & began an intense discussion before me.

(And it went on for the next hour...)Meanwhile, this ran through my head...

They appear before me discussing ways to arrange & make the best use of the space within the 4 walls that is mine. Who are they to barge in at such a godforsaken hour (oh wait! time check: 1130am) "oops. My bad." I roll my eyes & collapse back into bed watching this nightmare. Quickly, what is to come in a day or two sets in. This space that I've carefully planned out months back as a place to come back to, to hide from the world when my life seems to not work out, a place to bring company back to to just chill & be in "awe" of the gallery I live & work in. She storms in like a large cloud of dust that causes my skin & nose to itch, eyes to water. 1 sneeze later, a red cabinet appears against my wall that once hung only my snorkel mask & a crucifix. 2 sneezes later, the wall is covered with files/folders of study notes, that red cabinet, my "work station" (im sure<---or so, i try reassuring myself) is probably under the mess of clothes & beauty junk she brought with her. MEET MY NEW ROOMIE EVERYBODY! geezus.

Not that i'm an A-social. I enjoy good company...just...

(cut short) It "makes me wondur" why god made some people the way they are.

Anyhow...another ramble for another time.

curled out

from a doodle...UP!

Notice what a person doodles... it's like a doorway to a person's "subconscious" being. For me, when I doodle, I'm in a state of peace & my hand starts putting lines & shapes together. Then I'll see what I come up with. A lot of my work stems from a doodle, my way perhaps of "exploring" an idea/ an expression/ a thought. A doodle used to remain a doodle until I got introduced to mix media..where I could incorporate the use of software among other things. So, doodle-->refined sketch-->inked up work--> scanned in images-->edited & enhanced with software-->OUTPUT: a print ;) VIOLA~!

Here's what started out as a doodle...then got marker rendered...scanned in & "colored" in Photoshop. The background image was actually a photo I took while I drove past "Fullerton Hotel" (it was an awesome shot of movement captured with all the blurred lights & lines :-D) I hope you like ;)

"Miss Van's day out"

It kinda looks as if I was driving past & snapped a photo & this "character" popped into view.

p/s: More prints will be up for sale. (Email me for price quotes & enquiries ). Suggestions for the prints?? They work well framed or printed on canvas (upon request) as art pieces to enhance an interior space.

Why wear sunglasses?

scene 1: In bed, turned on my huge lantern overhead, & I'm wearing my pair of sunglasses while typing this out...

I was reading this article about Kohl, the 3347 year old beauty secret. We've all seen the bust of Nefertiti, the ancient Egyptian queen who rocked Kohl eyeliner back around 1340 B.C. In the U.S., the definition of Kohl has deviated from its Middle Eastern origins and evolved into a fairly loose term for dark eye makeup (Lancome's publicist says they use the word "Kohl" to describe their liners' "smudgeability".) Did you know...the Kohl ancient Egyptians applied on a daily basis was a mixture of gum & soot ? :O

Then I read on further...Nomads have utilitarian uses for the Kohl they still make themselves: one of the purposes for wearing it is to cut the glare of the sun off the sand, sort of like how American football players wear black paint under their eyes. Then a voice said, "Why do people wear sunglasses?" Good question.

People wear sunglasses because...:

1. Paris & Nicole look "awesome darHling"
2. they're vain
3. they are hiding conjunctivitis
4. they're not feeling the "eye patch" ala captain hook
5. they've got into a fight or been brusied by an abusive "ex" & are trying to hide the black eye
6. they're perverts & don't want people to know they're actually staring you up
7. they're druggies hiding their dilated/contracted pupils or bloodshot eyes
8. admit it, those sunglasses with the "Chanel" logo are a status symbol
9. they're protecting their eyes from UV rays that cause cataracts
10. so they could see themselves looking more tanned (mmm hmmm all stemmed from hollywood baby)

<<---setting fire to the third bar--->>

I find the map and draw a straight line
Over rivers, farms, and state lines
The distance from here to where you'd be
It's only finger-lengths that I see
I touch the place where I'd find your face
My finger increases of distant dark places

I hang my coat up in the first bar
There is no peace that I've found so far
The laughter penetrates my silence
As drunken men find flaws in science

Their words mostly noises
Ghosts with just voices
Your words in my memory
Are like music to me

I'm miles from where you are,
I lay down on the cold ground
And I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms

After I have traveled so far
We'd set the fire to the third bar
We'd share each other like an island
Until exhausted, close our eyelids
And dreaming, pick up from
The last place we left off
Your soft skin is weeping
A joy you can't keep in

I'm miles from where you are,
I lay down on the cold ground
And I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms

And miles from where you are,
I lay down on the cold ground
And I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms

***random ramble***

1 more thing! (and you only heard it here )

B/W : beyond & within will be producing a line of designed wares..."come collect my thoughts", It's in my work ;)

*** MORE NEWS ABOUT THE "GOODIES" TO COME ***

p/s: the above photo is of a lamp I designed (one of the lifestyle items I'm designing that was sold under the "Voodoo child" label. But there's going to be a revamp in ideas & items. (so again... WATCH THIS SPACE! ;) )