HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy 2014!

A new year has started. That means new adventures and another chance to start over. 2013 has been quite a different experience for me. I moved to a new country, bid farewell to my life and good friends in Toronto. Although Japan has treated me kindly, it still doesn't feel like home to me just yet.

Therefore in 2014, I vow to get more settled and comfortable here. Having lived in 3 different countries meant I met so many people and made lots of temporary friends. Among the people I have encountered, a few have turned into permanent friends that have influenced my life in so many ways. I wish to make more permanent friends and make many wishes and goals become concrete in this very new year. 

So here's to 2014. I managed to already make one resolution true, "Watch the sunrise". Here it is, the first sunrise of 2014 from Japan! May your next 365 days (and much more) be wonderful!

greetings after my hibernation

It had been a while since I last updated! I think I took about a two month hibernation.

Life had taken new turns after my big move!

In the two months since I have been here, I took time to do the mandatory stuff...you know, getting used to this new city!

But so far so good! And I am ready to get back to my illustration work!

Here are so snapshots from my instagram of my life in Japan so far.

Please stay tuned for newer illustrations! Meanwhile, feel free to check out some pics of my Japan adventures on my instagram account @fernchouxcreme

GIFT

Words cannot even describe how much I love this song.


The music, his warm voice, the meaning...everything!

Maybe it's cheesy...but I know I'm a cheesy person in general. :)

The first time I heard this song, it was the original Thai version (เธอคือของขวัญ), I immediately fell in love. Now that Singto Numchok has released its English version, Gift, I would love to share his amazing music.

My favorite lines in the song are 'Cause you're my gift from heaven. And we're living in the present. The present that I give to you...Ooh Baby I love you.

It fits what I am constantly thinking about:

Living in the present moment.

This is something I am personally trying to achieve in my life. I once heard a quote,"The present is a gift, that is why it's called the present." It made me think that the best gift I can give myself is to stay present, enjoy the moment. Also the past is history and the future has yet to come.

** Singto Numchok is a Thai musician/songwriter. He was the First National Winner for the Ukulele Contest. His style of Surf Music is very sweet to the ears and easy to listen to. Plus the lyrics are so positive and encouraging. His music always make me happy :) Please check his music out when you have a chance!

Hello from Japan!

I have not been updating my blog with any drawings or illustrations much lately because.....I have moved to Japan!

The main reason for my move was for a change of perspective, plus I need some changes in my life. Japan is rich in its art scene and I believe it will help my illustration improve. Moving here sort of excites me but also makes me nervous at the same time. Although I need time for adjustment, I know I will be all right. Besides, I have arrived at the perfect timing, Sakura season!

I will still continue to work on my illustration career and fill my blogs with many drawings. Please come back to visit my blog and I hope you can see some improvements!

Here is a picture of a Sakura tree that bloomed over this weekend. Enjoy!

It's Me!

I have always been too shy to post my own picture up on my blog. But after spending the day with my sweet sweet friend and wonderful photographer Christine Lim, I would love to proudly share the photos she took of me :)

 

Christine kindly took my photographs while we were out having coffee at Lit Espresso Bar in Toronto. It was a nice afternoon spending time with Christine and her cute baby! I am so honored to have such nice pictures taken! Thank you for making me look so lovely! ♥♥♥

View more photos Christine took of me here. Also, please visit her website to view her work!

Step by step

Wayyyy back when I saw Lost in Translation, I didn't quite get when Charlotte said that every girl has a moment of wanting to take photos...and one of the things we take is our feet. Now that I've gotten to love seeing (and sometimes attempting to take) photographs, I can totally understand. For some reason, I love knowing what I wore that day, what my toes look like and where I was the moment the photo was captured. Here are some of my favorite moments and snapshots.

 Huahin, Thailand 2010

 Toronto High Park, Cherry Blossoms Season with my friend Clair Jang 2010

Kamakura, Japan 2011

 Kids on the cable car, Seoul 2011

Autumn in Toronto 2012

 Hibernating in my house 2013

Happy New Year 2013!

The new year is upon us!

2012 has treated me very kindly. I made a lot of good memories as well as mistakes. Most importantly, I've made a couple of really important decisions :) I look forward to many wonderful years ahead for me.

Thank you great people who have been around to lend me love and support. I'm very lucky! I appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart. You fill my life with happiness and positivity.

Let the good times "slither"! (Pun intended for this year of the snake!)

Work Space

Besides posting just on my illustration works, I would like to share some personal photos of my studio.

Here are some snapshots of my desk while I worked on Encounter.

almost spring

challenges

Every so often I face challenges. I try very hard to keep my balance and to be consistent in staying positive and staying focused on my goals. I found a link from Paulo Coelho's blog: 10 Lessons from Einstein which I find very useful.

1. Follow Your Curiosity “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

2. Perseverance is Priceless “It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

3. Focus on the Present “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

4. The Imagination is Powerful “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

5. Make Mistakes “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

6. Live in the Moment “I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.”

7. Create Value “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

8. Don’t be repetitive “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

9. Knowledge Comes From Experience “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”

10. Learn the Rules and Then Play Better “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”


I think these points work in whatever direction you're heading towards, personal or professional.

Meanwhile, I am working on my new piece, here is a little sneak peek.



sources: Paulo Coelho's blog, and Dumb Little man