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What can I say about this piece? In the words of m

What can I say about this piece? In the words of my client, “The Man in the Arena is a text close to me, has carried me through some tough times in career, and I just love the imagery it conveys - the sense of perseverance, righteousness, against the odds, and effort for the sake of effort, all others be d**mned”.

I find it very meaningful to hear about the stories and intentions behind the work that I do. Based on the text, we conceptualised the artwork together, giving it some old vintage and gladiator vibes.

Prior to this, I had never come across this quote by Theodore Roosevelt, and working on it somehow ignited something in me. I felt inspired to challenge myself, for at the end of the day, “it is not the critic who counts”, “there is no effort without error and shortcoming”, and that failing while daring greatly is a worthy attribute.

I have multiple hobbies and love to challenge myself with new endeavours, though I’m terribly scared of failing. Being a cancer survivor also strengthens my resolve to live my life without regrets. My guiding principle has been that you will never know unless you try and that if you do not even try, then you’ll always have to live with that “what-if”. This quote is such a great reminder to embody this spirit and attitude.

The text:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

The best part about writing live, to me, is seeing

The best part about writing live, to me, is seeing the receivers’ eyes light up when they receive the item with my writing on it. There is no time to draft or make everything “perfect” given the time and physical constraints, but there is beauty in the raw and unrehearsed — it adds life and soul to mere words, and I guess that’s what calligraphy is all about.

#calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #traditionalcalligraphy #livecalligraphy #calligraphysg #sgcalligraphy #calligraphyflourishing

Okay, I’ve not been very diligent about updating

Okay, I’ve not been very diligent about updating this space, but this was done in 2023.Ever since becoming a mum (now of 2 little boys), I’ve been caught up with parenting, while juggling with other work and life commitments. I still teach sometimes and take on jobs and commissioned work selectively.

Always grateful for opportunities that find me even though I’ve been somewhat elusive. Am also grateful for friends from this community whom I could count on, sometimes journeying with me through calligraphy / motherhood: like @leahdesign @opera.rose @ingkstudio @nicnkotori and @jillianboonart to name a few. 🫶

Well, hope to somehow show up here a little more, so here’s a terribly condensed process video of this poem, “For A Leader”. It was commissioned as a farewell gift from co-workers to their beloved CEO. I love how meaningful and thoughtful the gift is, and am glad it was well-received.
Let’s try this: Which do you think takes up 80% of the time?

#calligraphy #copperplate #moderncalligraphy #traditionalcalligraphy #pointedpen #dippen #calligraphymasters #thecalligraphyhub #sgart #sgworkshops #learncalligraphy #calligraphysg #sgcalligraphy #flourishing #calligraphyflourishing #thedailycalligraphy #calligraphyreels #calligraphygift #calligraphyvideo

Joyeux Noël (pronounced in French: zhwa yeu noh e

Joyeux Noël (pronounced in French: zhwa yeu noh ehl; literally: Joyous Christmas). Christmas is about giving and spreading joy, and this year as we are coming out of the dreaded pandemic, I am loving how the Christmas spirit is up all over town. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to bring a festive cheer to someone with these cards I so enjoyed creating.

More details at https://www.lli.sg/events/lli-skil

More details at https://www.lli.sg/events/lli-skills-bazaar-christmas-edition

Being a mom of 2 and working from home most of the

Being a mom of 2 and working from home most of the time, chronic backache and fatigue seem to be persistent problems. Lately, I have started to see value in a good work desk setup that allows me to have optimal posture and Eye-Care. Besides a monitor screen and a good ergonomic chair, the #WiT Desk Lamp is the latest addition to my setup.

I really like how it is a smart desk lamp featuring intelligent dimming and eye-protection technology, and I can easily change from screen to book reading mode. Light is broad and even, 150% wider than a traditional desk lamp. The feature I was most drawn into was the adjustable brightness and temperature, which works very well for me especially when I do creative work such as this! (Swipe left for video 😊)

You may find out more about this product here: https://benqurl.biz/3JLHd6l

Last post of the year and one before we usher in t

Last post of the year and one before we usher in the red and gold vibes! Dear friends, thank you for journeying with me through the year’s past. I’m also grateful for the opportunities that have come my way by the grace of God. May the new year be full of blessings and joy, and for my creative friends, inspiration! ✨

He is the reason for the season. Blessed Christmas

He is the reason for the season. Blessed Christmas! 🌟

One for the obstetrician. 🤗

One for the obstetrician. 🤗

A gift for my son, Timothy, born on 19 Nov 2021. ☺️ (swipe left to see my elder son with his, 2 years back!)

Personalised these beautiful essential oil diffuse

Personalised these beautiful essential oil diffusers at a recent event. 🌺☺️

Concluded my recent beginner and flourishing priva

Concluded my recent beginner and flourishing private workshops, where I got to make a few new friends and passionate individuals. 😊

A framed calligraphy quote, a gift from a friend t

A framed calligraphy quote, a gift from a friend to another whose young son was going for an open heart surgery. When they share their stories with me, it really gives the piece and the work I do so much more meaning. Thanks for letting me be a part of this; praying for little Andrei’s swift recovery.

These were “thank you” photo cards. Sometimes

These were “thank you” photo cards. Sometimes a simple note of appreciation goes a long way, though I like the idea that some thought, time and effort went into the gift too.

A fun project: A few Christmases ago the spouse bo

A fun project: A few Christmases ago the spouse bought into this Kickstarter project for this mini portable printer. Finally took it out to use last Christmas to try to print something for my girlfriends. First, I calligraphed the text, had it digitised, then uploaded into the device where I could choose the colour I wanted to print. What else should I try printing on?

Most people I know start off their calligraphy jou

Most people I know start off their calligraphy journey with the copperplate script, though not many realise the difference between copperplate (a traditional script) and modern calligraphy (very similar!). I always recommend to start with a traditional script of your choice, be it Copperplate, Spencerian, Italic, or others for the simple reason that modern calligraphy was derived from traditional scripts. This is a traditional calligraphy class for those without prior experience. More details for this in-person group class up on my page! :)

‘Flourish & Embellish’ is finally up! Calligra

‘Flourish & Embellish’ is finally up! Calligraphy flourishing is my passion. 🙌Each time I write the same word, it comes out differently, but the principles are the same. I learned that if you copy the work of others, you’ll never develop your own character in your script; but if you learn how to do it, the possibilities are limitless. ✨I hope that this course will help those who want to pursue calligraphy further elevate their skills to achieve just that. It’s gonna be 4 hours long in a small group setting and covers capital letters and their variations, as well as flourishing. There will also be an introduction class coming up for beginners. Registration link on my website for those who want to join me. 😊

Hello friends! I will be running this flourishing

Hello friends! I will be running this flourishing class for intermediate to advanced learners this September. Have gotten some requests for this in the past few months but have been putting this on hold for a while due to safe management measures. I also do want to keep this capital letter variations & flourishing class an in-person one for now as personal attention is crucial here. I guess the time is here — will be releasing more details tomorrow! Hope you enjoyed the video. :)

This commissioned piece was a gift from the client

This commissioned piece was a gift from the client to a very good family friend overseas whom they call “fairy godmother” due to her motherly and generous personality. Border in walnut ink; accents and words in metallic copper ink, which gives a lovely sheen. Final piece came with a frame (not featured). I always enjoy creating such meaningful items, hearing the inspiration and stories behind them, and am honoured to be a part of it.

This was a recent commissioned piece. I love seein

This was a recent commissioned piece. I love seeing how the flourishes all come together while not getting too fancy as sometimes less is more. Interestingly, this was going into a new home and the homeowner’s name is Joshua.

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