.

Someone not too happy with me right now. or because of the things i say.

This morning woke up with a slight heartache, dreaming of little Ting playing video games making home furniture explode, of Baby craving for meat and meat because he's been having too much cheese and tomato. Drove to work and passed by two car accidents on the way. Still still smelling of vomit from the spoiled spilled coffee that got on the books in the stacks.

But hey i got an email from Ting today, a good chat with May, another unexpected email from a farawy friend and a package from Baby. yummy homemade chocolate covered gummi bears and comforting vibes, nothing blah about that for sure.

So i finally got to testing out my new etching press this past weekend. Pulled some really horrible washed-out prints. I really need to get some tarlatan. Could not help but thought of K's technical expertise and imagined what he would think, what he would say, how he would look saying it or not saying it. And still now, could not help wishing for more.

color me a clementine

My little uncle gave me a bag of clementines to take back with me when i was home for the holidays and this here is the last one of the bunch. I took it to work for lunch and noticed how cute it looked sitting on my shelf. It is even cuter in person, not your typical round one. This got a slight slant to it. I had to resist eating it. Made me think of a tiny little breast.



Maybe a series of prints of these? hmmm.

and other observations

pen, acrylic & collage on altered book, book dimensions 6.25" x 4.25" [started in 2003, came back to it and reworked it end of 2007]

The book started out more as a collection of sketches, quick discreet sketches made while riding the bus. This was when i was still living in NY and the bus commute was about an hour to/from the subway. Some pages had paint laid out first before the sketches were made and others had color/texture added afterwards. I love the looseness and spontaneity of how the pages came about. It/I was not trying to make it become more than what it was, which was simply to observe and capture, take in and sketch, and let some pink help tie it all together.

I came back to it a couple of months ago, thinking i just need to touch it up a bit here and there before posting it up. Well, that was not the case.

I have kept almost all the pen drawings made in 2003 with only 4-5 small new ones created but the whole mood of the book has changed since reworking it. Almost all the pages have been retouched a bit, some with layers of new paint or paper, and a few completely reconstructed. I still miss before because it was more simple and just is what it is. Now, i see there is a trying to tell a story, maybe wanting/needing to be more connected and complete somewhere? Found myself consciously keeping some words on the page because they now have a more personal meaning to me than before.

View book as slideshow @ Flickr: redredday

happy birthday, chuver one!

♡

happy birthday, Grace!

I wish i could say i made these and sending them your way for your birthday...but lucky me, i got them first! :D. John and i both enjoyed them very much. Now there are only J and M gingerguys left with the lovely heart between them. aren't they too cute to eat?

And i just love the paper you used to write on. so pretty with the silver writing on it. and the little red pen too!



And...as if all this wasn't enough (and it's not even my birthday), look at the beautiful handmade scarf that Grace made for me...



It is so soft and cozy. Can you tell i am thinking sweet wonderful thoughts of you, Gracie? i am. hope you are enjoying your day with your love...

happy happy new year!

book finished! more later...

Cheers to a more productive more connected new year!!