Just the three of us on that rainy day...

It rained heavily that day. I ran all around with my camera. From above, I saw the three of us standing steadfastly in the rain. The flowers were all beaten down... but it was a beautiful day.

In the mood...

I was walking back to my bike parked in the opposite alley when "Yumeji's Theme" song began playing in my head. I stood and watched the scene for a while...

Commissioned Catmasutra painting - Where's the Caviar?

Finally finished “Where’s the Caviar?”, a commissioned piece through Utterly Art. Haha – good things come in threes. I’m doing another piece called “Red Red Wine” as well – (hmm… will showcase that in my next entry). For both pieces, the clients love “Night out in the Garden” and wanted the same scheme but of their preferred intoxicants, it seems. This piece is based on one of the world-renowned vintage champagnes by Pol Roger, the outstanding Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill, 1979. Many people like the colors and I’m glad because the deep earthly tones are my favorite (especially the deep red).

You can get the print of “Where’s the Caviar?” at artprintsasia.com (which should be launching soon). There are many pieces that I would love to have them in prints especially those in the first Catmasutra show, as I kinda missed them! Fortunately, I have friends who bought my paintings and they were kind enough to loan me theirs! Okay – time to watch Liverpool vs PSV. Still can’t believe that Man U beat Roma 7-1. Must remember to set the alarm clock – man am I gonna be a zombie tomorrow!

Yaya Papayas!

Everybody needs an angel, a magical mascot that changes the negative into positive. Thinking of writing a book (right now it's an imaginary book) called "Root of all wisdom by Yaya Papaya" (haha a little insider joke...) Just compiling all the little things that makes life worth living, and the proverbial search for the meaning of life. Of course, what makes a life meaningful is different for everyone. Is there a black and white or just shades of grays in between? I used to believe in the latter but if you search hard enough, you'll realize there is a universal "truth". I think the most basic premise is that you must know who you are and what you wanna be. The earlier you figure that out, the easier it is to realize your dreams. For some, it is apparent though it may or not be easy; For others, they just stumble along and "get" it without much effort (think Forest Gump). Then of course, there are people who just can't be bothered by all this - they just get by and do what they're supposed to do - (in Singapore context, many just listen to what the government tells them or succumb to societal norms and pressures). It's like reading an "OK" book without really enjoying it, and believing that that's the extent of it because some "higher power" recommend you that book. Haha and our politicians now want more pay or else no good men will step up and be counted nationally. It's beginning to sound like a broken record, and a never-ending spiral of greed overshadowing the intrinsic value of leading a nation. And we took a bite of the green apple, and what is said will become law before we can say “that sucks!”

Non-Collectibles

Some photos from a collective exhibition I did last year - Non-collectibles. For my part, I showcased the photos I've taken of stray cats in Singapore for the last few years (You can view the collection here) Also i wanted to bring out the beauty in these cats. There were several horrific incidents of cat abuse that were reported in the papers then. Makes you wonder the kind of world we live in. At the same time, you see people working so hard to take care of these cats (eg, Cat welfare society).
The AVA sucks. That's my opinion. Can't see any heart in their actions. Once I have to bail a cat (already neutered) caught by the AVA (because some fellow complained that the cats MIGHT scratch his/her BMW). I have to pay (was it a $100?) for its weekend stay (in a cage with uncleared urine and pieces of food lying around). It was really sad to find such a affectionate cat in such a state. I have been feeding him and have come to know the cat quite well. When i took him away in my car, he stopped meowing and seemed contented to hear my voice. It was a good feeling when I set him free. I returned to look for him but I was unable to find him. I hope he does well in his new neighborhood.
Why do people abuse animals? Kellert and Felthous (1895, 1122-1124) identified nine typologies for animal abuse. 1. to control an animal. 2. to retaliate against an animal. 3. to retaliate against another person 4. to satisfy a prejudice against a species or breed 5. to express anger through an animal 6. to enhance one's own aggressiveness 7. to shock people for amusement 8. to displace hostility from a person to an animal 9. to perform non-specific sadism... Sometimes I'm saddened by children (even adults) who squirmed and screamed at the sight of stray cats. I don't think we have a choice if we ever witness animal abuse - keeping silent is not an option.