After taking a bit of a pause from #The100DayProject (my last one was in 2023 — how did that happen?!), I’ve decided to jump back in this year and approach it differently — with the intention of actually finishing. If you’re curious about my previous projects, you can browse them on this page. This year’s idea is beautifully simple: I’ll be creating mini collages using ephemera from the happy mail I’ve received from swap partners, finishing each piece with a postage stamp. Click on the image below to see the cards or this link. It’s also my way of finally using up those old Project Life journal cards that have…
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During China’s long public holiday, I spent ten days in the Eternal City — Rome — wandering through cobbled streets, stepping into centuries-old churches, and sketching ancient ruins with my sketchbook always close at hand. This year is the Jubilee Year, and I’m deeply grateful to have been invited by my sister, Angie, and her husband, Willie, to experience what truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime event. The first couple of days were spent exploring, getting lost, and sketching — simply trying to get a feel for the city. Then I had the joy of meeting my wonderful friend Kristina, who flew in with her husband for what we now hope…
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The past few weeks have been a whirlwind! I’m thrilled about Fodder School 5 and the Fodder Challenge 2025 as I step into my role as a teacher for both—an exciting mix of celebration and new beginnings. On the home front, my daughter is back in the UK for university, and my son will be leaving soon, too. These transitions make our shared moments—meals, chats, and quiet time—feel extra precious. Amid Shanghai’s relentless heat, I’ve been finding small pockets for painting and collaging to stay grounded. It’s been a rich, challenging summer—how’s yours going? Keep an eye on your inbox, because our newsletter is going out soon with a little…
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I am excited to announce my selection as a teacher for Fodder School 5 and this year’s Fodder Challenge, starting in October. Join us for creative exploration, joyful projects, and community connection.
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On this trip, I opted for a minimalist approach to my art supplies. I brought along a single journal and a small sketchbook. Additionally, I packed two watercolor palettes, although I only used one. I also brought a set of Caran D’Ache water-soluble pencils, some brushes, and fountain pens. We arrived in Hong Kong around noon. However, I had an urgent matter to attend to, which unfortunately left me with no chance to sketch. The next day, I set out early to run some errands. As a habit, I always find the post office first to purchase stamps for sending postcards to family and friends. Although I planned to take…
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Hope you are enjoying the Spring weather. Last March 11-15, @ohn_mar_win had a mini challenge called 5 Days of Spring Blooms to celebrate the season and paint five different flowers. I enjoyed doing the Autumn one last year, so this would be a fun challenge to get into the Spring season. This time, I played on two sketchbooks except for the last prompt. I did a warm-up on a separate sketchbook, and the final ones were in the same accordion journal, where I did the autumn flowers. I’ve posted all of these in my IG feed, but this is worth writing a blog post about. So here are my Spring Blooms. Day 1: Blossom…
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The Spring weather in Shanghai has been unpredictable, but I've been enjoying sketching outdoors on warm weekends. I sketched at various locations, capturing snapshots of life in the city. From bustling areas to redevelopment sites, each sketch tells a unique story.
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I bought this fantastic kit from a Chinese indie seller I found on Red Book (Xiao Hong Shu). Fortunately, it arrived before the holidays. I figured this would be great to send to family and friends and include in my swap mails all year long. So before the Spring Festival, I printed a few of this stunning Qilin on delicate rice paper. 🐉✨ Qilin, a revered mythical creature in Chinese culture, is often depicted as a majestic blend of a deer, dragon, horse, and lion—a symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and wisdom. According to legend, it can tread grass without a trace and even breathe fire! 🔥 In Chinese mythology,…
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Do you make and exchange ATC or Artist Trading Cards? Have you made an ATC before? I’ve been making ATC since probably 2015. I learned about this via swap-bot.com when I joined in 2013. I’ve been curious about these and got the courage to sign up for some international swaps. These were quite fun, and I regret not making extras for each card I made for my collection. So, there are other variations for the standard ATC (2.5×3.5 inches). One is called inkbox cards, which are square 3×3 inches and have rounded corners, just like the Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads, hence the name. The lesser-known one is the ATC coin, which…
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Experience Shanghai through my eyes with early morning urban sketching during the "Golden Week."
