Inspiration #12: The Art of Letter-writing

... In other words, snail mail. Over the weekend I went to a couple mainstream bookstores in search of a letter set (usually a few envelops and writing sheets together with cute prints) and was disappointed to find no such stationery, even in the children's aisle where cute stationery is located. This disappointment quickly developed into an erratic fear overnight, thinking that the art of letter-writing is dying in today's electronic-based communication in the society.

I enjoy the time I spend writing letters, and this requires a certain concentration which turns into appreciation. There is an art to letter-writing because I know it is something I can appreciate. People who do not indulge in this satisfying little hobby do not know what makes penning a letter artful. To me, it begins with the choice of stationery. I put effort in selecting the right pen, the right sheet of paper, the right envelop and the right stamps; not to forget, the occasional embellishment such as stickers. After tinkering with stationery, I find the right time to write - because you just can't do it in a hurry. Putting thoughts to paper, there is a special feeling knowing that it will be read by whomever it is intended. I also decide on how the letter is folded into the envelop, imagining how the recipient would open it. Finally, when I choose a stamp, not only for face value, but also the print it has.

I do realize letters are meant to be a form of communication but there is more than just a physical object. The gratification is when I receive a reply, which usually does not appear until the following month or sometimes more, first reading and then I begin to pen another letter. I have appreciation for letter-writing not for its technicalities but because I perceive it as if giving away apart of me to someone and vice versa.

Inspiration #11: Collage & Thoughts

Brainstorm activity in classroom is a bore and a chore. There are steps to organize thoughts and this is the biggest reason why most students get mental block. First we have to define the main topic, and then we have to spread it by subtopics and sub-subtopics. Instead of encouraging spontaneity, we feel pressured to churn out ideas. Students are not able to perform because they think too much - "What if this is a sub-subtopic and not a subtopic? I can't write it down first!" I think the method should be more free-flow like collages.

I happen to come across an art journal assignment this week which mentioned use of collage to collect ideas before writing a critique. I was already familiar with collage because I kept a small journal when I was before preteen. My parents suggested that I cut out pictures from newspapers to paste in a book, instead of keeping the entire sheet of newspaper whenever I spotted something or someone I fancied - the idea was simple. What I did not realise is that I was making collage on each page of which has inspired me until today. A page of collage is as close as I can describe to how my thoughts actually look like in my mind. For me, collage works two ways. First, like a needle in a haystack, a page full of images in no particular form. Second, like a magnet, starting with one image attracting more similar images. One main reason why I like 'collage thinking' is know there is no finite destination. It is a free-flow of ideas in a collective space, thus it enables me to jump from one thought to another instantly; it is exciting for my mind to know there are no rules.

Inspiration #7: Demand vs Creativity?

Movie adaptation has become more common than ever in the past couple years. There are movies from books, comics, real life story, and even remakes of the same movie from the past. Success and failure of a film adaptation, more often than not, depends on the reviews by critics. What intrigues me is how a movie can be perceived as "great" or "terrible" when it is based off an already existing idea.

Take one recent book-to-movie adaptation 'Life of Pi' for example. Most reviewers have said positive things about it being a good interpretation of the original story, especially the ending of the movie where in the book conclusion can be interpreted differently by different readers. So the director created the movie in his own input with a little difference, and the audience loved it. When compared to popular high-grossing movies of book adaptations from Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Twilight series, fans of the books would only be satisfied with the closest representation of their imagination from the story. Should there be a change from the original plot, surely there will be negative reviews saying the movie does not depict the actual book.

So, where is the creativity? Movie adaptations should be appreciated in its own rights to some differences. I think there is a good movie from an adaptation if it differs from the original story as it shows how the same plot be developed into something else. Critics who cannot accept movie adaptations should just stick to the original, be it books, comics, real life stories or remakes, instead of judging the newer version as inaccurate.

Inspiration #5: Sewing = Savings!

There is a difference between frugal and stingy; I chose to be thrifty without being cheap. My wishlist has this CandyPrincess Royal Coat Dress priced at 44100yen (RM1461.58 today) and that is without the under-dress! Today, I ordered a similar white under-dress from China shopping site Taobao for only 308yuan (RM152.88) and I have 2yards of this Japanese thick cotton (RM76.80) from MayMayShop. Grab some lace trims from my sewing stash, and I am ready to sew again~

Instead of a dark royal look, I decided to go with a brighter sweet print of chains and roses to create a playful appearance for the upcoming spring season with blooming floral image. Here is the design that I am looking forward to finish by the end of the semester, very much inspired by the Royal Coat Dress:

Inspiration #4: Harajuku Fashion

Imogen Mackay Dall has put together a photo collection for Harajuku fashion import label Electric Alice based on the concept "Define Yourself Without Saying A Word." I was most drawn to the first photo in the collection of a somewhat-gothic-lolita model with the concept title stamped on it. I have a long-time love with Japanese culture, particularly the Harajuku lolita movement, and it certainly makes me stand out if you saw me wearing lacy blouse and frilly dress over a fluffy pannier in public.

What I like about Harajuku fashion is how much freedom it offers to which inspires my outfit coordination. Especially when I look at Imogen's photo above, I thought the model was "somewhat" gothic lolita because her outfit is a little bit of punk, rokku, ero, gothic and lolita. Likewise, I too put a little bit of gyaru, mori, decora, otome, fairy-kei and lolita in my outfit because those are what that inspires me. But I don't stop there - I sew and design some clothes and accessories to wear, and perhaps one day, start a fashion label in my name.

Inspiration #3: Heart Paper Craft

With Valentine's Day coming up, I was browsing for greeting card ideas and I stumbled upon a cute pop-up heart card tutorial on Minieco. What I like about this tutorial is the 8-bit pixelated look of the 3-dimensional hearts. I have always been attracted to paper craft or 'pepakura' (pepa kurafuto) as the Japanese like to call it, but failing to complete my first pepakura of a Walter P99 gun has discouraged me from trying it again due to the complicated cuts and folds - I suppose I should have started with pop-up cards for beginners like me.

Inspiration #2: Yoh's Gallery

Lectures on Wednesdays seem to drag on forever about dots and lines; I could not help but to keep myself occupied looking through Japanese illustrator Yoh's gallery. I think this artwork entitled 'Watashi wa Anata no Kasa ni Naru' (I Will Become Your Umbrella) is an amazing piece! Notice how the flow starts from eyelashes crying droplets on a dolly face which is an umbrella held by a gothic girl whose cage skirt is the umbrella of a boy drowning in (probably) quicksand. I wish I could draw this much of details in my own illustrations - I definitely have to level-up from doodling plain sketches.

Inspiration #1: Disney Dream Portraits

I am no photography buff nor Disney fanatic, but I surely am a fan of Angelina Jolie. When I saw Annie Leibovitz's Disney interpretation complilation circulating on Tumblr, I immediately noticed Angelina Jolie portraying Esmeralda (from The Hunch-back of Notre Dame) looking faraway between the stone gargoyles. With cosplay being a hobby close to my heart, it was really nice to see my favourite celebrity Angelina Jolie posing as a Disney animated film character. Perhaps I could cosplay Exmeralda one day, too?