Chill day...

Finished some dreadful midterms...time to sleep in all day and do useless stuff......like blogging!

I actually vacuumed the entire house today (got grossed out by seeing mountains of dust everywhere). Honestly, im one of those lazy people who cleans my desk once in a blue moon...so you can guess how rare it is for me to clean the entire house. I even scrubbed the sink till its all sparkly and white. Was tempted to bleach the kitchen floor as well, but our 70's patterned kitchen floor is so ugly that even bleach can't save it...so I decided its not even worth cleaning. Im hoping I can repaint and remodel the kitchen on my next break...nobody is willing to help me so I'll have to see how it goes. I've been extremely inspired to remodel the house (I stalk www.younghouselove.com daily and watch the Nate Burkus show on my  non-school days hahah)...but my mom thinks the house is perfectly fine (its actually an interior-designer's nightmare). 

Anyways, my to-do list for today was: 

Vacuum the house

Take pictures and blog

Drive to Trader Joes and buy steak

Marinade steak  (might end up doing these tomorrow...) 

Practice Piano

Find and watch Lilo & Stitch (as research for character design)

Start on character design proj. for friend's animation

and maybe do a major desk clean up tomorrow...have too much dusty junk lying around... 

Happy Labbits! Still got a few on its way...so far no luck with mustache labbits and teal ice cream labbit. A lot of collectors found this series "too cute" so its not very popular. Its actually the only mini labbit series I like. Those transparent bubble ones look really nice in person.

Finally got my Mr.Cloud!! I had my aunt brought this back for me from HK. Super super excited and happy to find a hand written postcard from the artist herself!!! I promised to take a 'Mr.Cloud in Oregon' photo for them, but I don't have a good place in mind yet =/ Oregon doesn't have any famous touristy landmarks like the Space Needle or the Eiffle Tower...

Kuro by Camilla d'Errico! I've actually been stalking this for days at kidrobot forums because I couldn't decide whether I should buy it or not (trying to hold back on buying expensive toys)...but then the seller decided to lower the price so I bought it without a second thought. $25 shipped! For the size (about 6 inches tall), design, and quality - completely worth it! He kinda reminds me of a baby version of No-Face in Spirited Away =P



Uhh... friend portrait?



Mini diana camera charms. They came in a cute little tin can. Found them on sale at Blick's for only $2.88 (originally $6), I might go back and buy a few more colors.



He looks like a photography noob cause he couldn't hold the camera properly...



Large peas-in-a-pod from Toy Story 3!! Super excited when this first came out...and I was surprised by how cheap and big this plush was. Recently saw this on sale for only $5 at the disneystore (I bought it at original price =( though )



My cousin sent me a few more tokidoki x hello kitty from Hong Kong.



When I first saw this online I was really curious about how it looked in real life. Didn't disappoint!



Vintage Arale my mom bought in HK many many years ago (before I was born probably). She's probably impossible to find today (especially in this mint condition).



My cousin gave me her entire Hello Kitty mcdonalds set (from HK a few years ago).



Wedding present I made for a friend's wedding. Entirely made out of sculpey, painted with acrylics (extremely  impressed by Martha Stewart's craft-paint line). Took these photos before I glazed the entire thing cause I wanted to avoid glares. I think it looked 100x more finished after the glazing...



 

They're both animation/art majors so I wanted to make something that would reflect their hobbies and interests. I had the 'flying on paint brush' idea very early on, but then I got stuck and couldn't figure out what else to do....started brainstorming ideas that could symbolize animation - and then the light bulb went on. Studio Ghibli! Duh.



Spray painted a Hello Kitty bank my cousin didn't want. Actually, this is just white primer... im planning to customize it,  but I don't have any good ideas in mind right now. If im lazy im might end up just spray painting it in a glossy bright color.







Friends With You playground/installation in Hong Kong!!!!! I want to buy a plane ticket to HK just to see this in person. Its like the happiest cutest place in the world. I tried to threaten my sister to go (since shes in HK right now), but she said its way too far from where shes staying. boooo!





Saw this illustration book at Powells book store, I think she/he is a local artist?
Anyway, I LOVE the style and illustrations....super cute and nice color palette too. I think every page can be framed and hanged as a wall art. I might actually go back and buy this, but Trader Joes and Blick's have been making me go broke these days...



Nooka Inc. Hello Kitty design. Quite an interesting design...might grow on me.



FREAKING AWESOME. Im sure this is just a 3D render so I don't know if they're actually releasing the figure itself. I saw this with a Japanese flyer (didnt understand it) about some hello kitty robot event this month. I know they're selling hello kitty robot tshirts but I dunno if they'll be selling this figure. If they are, im going to break my piggy bank and buy it.





My sister told me about this Hello Kitty fairytale series currently being sold in Hong Kong Mcdonalds. She was going to get me the black bone one, but it sold out super fast. The other ones are kind of boring...little red riding hood, ugly duckling, wizard of oz, and frog prince. The lion is kind of cute cause its got green button eyes. Basically you just have to buy a meal and pay an extra $3 to get one of these.





Funko Pop Sanrio series. Kinda cute...but I remember seeing really bad paint jobs on the Disney series so I'll have to see these in person. I always thought Funko Pops were those kinda toy designs that looks better as a set.



Tokidoki Punkstar series. Wished they were blindbox figures instead. I have no use for cellphone charms.



Bubble gumdrop figure. Apparently its supposed to be 'limited edition' so it costs a few bucks more than the normal gumdrops. Seems kind of like a rip off for the exact same figure but in a different color. Can't deny its cute though...and probably the best color out of the others.



Adventure time x Tado. Adventure Time seems crazy popular the moment, but I havent watched it yet. I think fans of the show would enjoy this toy release.







Prototypes of the design?
But anway.... OMG I  LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this design!! Such a clean but unique and cute figure!! Really nice proportions and form, just a freakin awesome design.

 

Mini keychains ...not sure where to buy these.



Very very nice and smart design .




My sister went to the StayReal art exhibit in Hong Kong, I dont think she was allowed to take pictures so i got these off online. Would be nice to own a StayReal mousey in this size...



Apparently, my uncle in HK bought me one of those Doma Mini Speaki (yes, speaki. no typo). They're mini speakers that you can plug into your ipod.



Cute bottles. When I was a kid, I used to put mini figures in a tiny jar and fill them up with water. Something like a snowglobe...not sure why, but there was something fascinating about it. Seeing this picture brought back some childhood memories.



Designed by How2Work toys. Love the vintage-ish feel to them.



Waah such a cute friend elephant!




A Boy by B.Wing. Theres something about the egg-yolky eyes and simple design... would love to own one but they're over my budget. Maybe someday...

Okay, this entry literally took me like half a day...guess I wont be doing half of the things on my to-do list today. Oh well...im just happy I finally got some of these stuff posted. Was going to share some artwork but I think i'll save them for my art blog which im planning to start during my next break.

Emotional cleansing!

Chopin - Tristesse, played by Valentina Igoshina (my favorite interpretation of the piece)

One of my favorite Chopin pieces (that I have yet to learn). I personally think its the most beautiful melody in the world- no exaggeration. After a hectic week, listening to this again is like stopping to smell flowers (hahah). I love so many of Chopin pieces that for the last few years, I've been learning them nonstop...so for my next piece im going to go back to Mozart for a change (which I haven't played in many years)...and guess what piece it is?




12 variations of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star! So freshing and fun!! Feels like im revisiting the good ol' childhood days.



Just finished learning Debussy's Arabesque...I have a tough time adjusting to Debussy's pieces since I've been playing Chopin and Beethoven pieces for so long. This piece took me awhile to learn, but definitely worth the effort. Such a beautiful piece, its like standing in a soft windy grass field ...feels very much like an impressionist painting to me (or maybe im just influenced by that impressionist painting on the video...although the one I picture is more airy and light)



I just realized how much Nodame Cantabile (my favorite jdrama of all times) influenced my choices. So many wonderful pieces in that drama!! One of my favorite is definitely Beethoven's Pathetique 2nd movement, which I learned several years ago. Unfortunately, my teacher said it was one of my weaker pieces (even though I enjoyed it a lot).



Recently started learning Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu...oh man, I've been wanting to learn this piece since years ago,  but I never thought I could do it. Must seriously thank my teacher's faith and support in me hahaha (she kept telling me that its not a hard piece although it sounds difficult)...but with my skills, who knows how many years it'll take me to finish learning it. I might be growing white hairs by then...



I played Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat Major for my recital this year (I was extremely nervous/pressured about being the last performer and messed up terribly in the beginning...ugh so embarrassing). I started on the No.1 as well, but never finished learning it. I love that piece as well, but it was just too much to learn along with my other pieces so I had to put it on hiatus. I'll probably get back to it some day though.


Chopin's Minute Waltz is probably my favorite Chopin pieces to play. I learned it years ago but I still play it for fun (I tend to stop practicing old pieces once I finish them and then I start forgetting how to play them). Its a very energetic piece (and probably one of Chopin's easier pieces), feels very exhilarating to play.

Okay, im lazy to post any more videos. I actually only planned on sharing two videos ...but somehow ended up with this many.

Just listen!

A bit unwhale

David Choe's munko whale pretty much sums up how I've been feeling this term. Im in a bit of "funk" - as my school's front page like to call it (coincidentally, they posted this "student assistance" article recently). I think im going to have to blame the not-so-fun classes im taking this term. I think I've had enough of learning new things on Maya. We just don't get along. Period. If i ever die from flipping tables, high blood pressure, and banging my head on the wall, I point all fingers towards Maya.

Thankfully, after fall term (which will be full of awesome&fun classes i think)  im pretty much done with all my gen. ed and required courses... and probably won't be forced to take anymore classes that I have 0% interest in. This term im taking a character rigging class, scriptwriting, US history, and quick sketch. Quick sketch is no doubt my favorite course of the term...the rest is just making me count down how many more days I have to endure... *sigh till all leaves fall off trees*

I realized the term 'funk' means intense fear, which isn't quite accurate (and it sounds funky). To put in simple terms, I guess I just feel unmotivated to do anything. I feel a dread to do any work (unless its drawing). I've been feeling angry and down easily, and then suddenly I feel perky and happy (sounds like im bipolar ughh). I nap for no reason...actually I nap to get away from the stress, not because im tired. Literally every hour of the day, I tell myself I need to work on my drawing skills...just sketch SOMETHING...but I never do it, and then I beat myself up for not doing it.

Doesn't help that there were so many bad things going on in my family last week (recent death in family, grandma in hospital...) My mom is stressed and have no energy to cook or do any chores so I've been lending a hand . My sister and my dad flew back to HK and wont be back until a month later, my aunt is busy taking care of other things so I don't see her much at home anymore.

Anyway, I've been planning to start an art blog. Just a blog where I can post all my drawings and works from school. I found that this blog is sorta all over the place and not very suitable for professional use. Still planning the layout and then I gotta scan all my works from the beginning of the school year. Trying to think of a witty name for it...no luck as of yet.

Oh and as for David Choe's munko...they came out like two years ago but they never appealed to me until now.Maybe its because I can relate to how it's feeling? HAHA. I think I may try to get myself those three whales (the 3 colors look good together), but they're quite hard to find as opened box.

Okay, this entry is getting too long. Gonna get to work and finish some personal projects so I can move on.

Cow!

TOYSSSS

I've been wanting to upload and share some of the works I've done throughout the term, but I need to gather everything and resize and resave. Its kind of time-consuming so i'll try to blog those later. For now I'll just share some random toys and stuff I've bought or found online. I've been pretty busy this summer break working on projects for other people that I barely even have time to do any of the personal projects I've been planning to do. Im  FINALLY taking my driving test next week so I've been out driving a lot. Anywhoo...on with pictures.

Pinocchio pencil sharpener bought at Fuego. He looks a bit creepy but it was only $3.

Coin bank! On sale at Fuego for $3.50



Uglydoll keychains were buy 1 get 1 free.

From Strapya. Vintage mickey mouse...they're pretty cute! Reminds me of some old Mickey Mouse toys I used to have when i was a kid.

   

 Cute Hello Kitty x Elmo collab!!



The only figure I care for in this series is Toad in penguin suit. Thinking of buying this soon.



Recently bought a Mr.Cloud figure by Fluffyhouse but they're also going to release their new Miss Rainbow figure soon!! Out of excitement, I took this picture off Fluffyhouse's facebook page here. They're not selling their figures internationally in stores, but I contacted them and they replied (super fast, super nicely, and super informatively) that they can ship it overseas to me. I ended up having it sent to my aunt's house in HK to save on shipping fee (and its less risky). Honestly, I was surprised to find that the artist herself replied to my emails. Usually when I email companies they either never respond or take forever to. Not only did she reply super quick, she was also very friendly...now i've become a 100% fan of Fluffyhouse. If I ever (finally) start my own line of toys and character designs, I would like to collab with them (if they don't think my work is too shabby anyway HAHA). It would be amazing if I could collab with some of my favorite HK toy designers like Bubi Au Yeung in the future *_*





Dino by Chima Group. When I first saw this figure I thought it was uncomfortable to look at because the design wasn't well balanced. I liked the idea of the colored rainboots, but overall, I didn't care for it much. I keep seeing it around the internet and at online toy stores...so often that it eventually grew on me. Now I really want to get one for myself...but its over my budget =( maybe someday...





Gnocchi by Chima Group. SUPER CUTE. It makes me want to keep poking it... I love the simplicity of it.



Happy Labbit series. Definitely my favorite labbit series! I have a lot of favorites in this series.



Uglydoll ucky's...inspired by some traditional Japanese toys the artist saw while traveling in Japan. This reminds me a lot of the random little toys I had when I was a kid. Ill definitely buy a pack of these when I get the chance to.



Whale soap dish from World Market. This was introduced at younghouselove.com (one of my favorite blogs). There's just something about that I really like. I was planning to buy this at the store but it was bigger than I'd expected and I didn't know what I would do with it (I probably wont put soap in it since I only use soap in pump bottles)....maybe next time...





Recently released QiQi figure by Ziqi and Creo Designs...this caught my eyes because it reminded me a lot of the Beijing Olympic's fire mascot. Its kind of funny cause when I first saw this figure, I knew right away that the artist must be Chinese. The elements from this design reminded me of a combo of Beijing mascots + Hi Panda sculptures I saw at the China Design Now exhibit at the Portland Art Museum two years ago.



Pork Dumpling series. Kinda cute, wouldn't mind getting myself a box.



Treeson Mugs!!



Im a huge fan of Bubi Au Yeung's toy designs, but I can never afford them (or buy them in time before they get sold out). Anyway, this is the new Ren series! Comes with laptop and GhostB. My budget for buying toys is usually under $25 (with the exception of several rare pieces/good deals), this will probably be my first $40 non-discounted toy. The designer toy world has been slow and ...frankly...unimpressive lately. Most companies are coming out with the same stuff they've been releasing for like 5+ years. This isn't necessarily a bad thing for my wallet though, cause now I can focus back on the toys I've been wanting to buy since years ago... and I think its okay to splurge a bit on a high quality designer toy once in awhile.




Bearly calm wax figure by Bubi Au Yeung. (picture taken from her flickr). It looks like chocolate in this picture but what really got me going OOOH...is the fact that its a WAX figure made in a very traditional way. I don't think these will be in stores soon, but I wanted to share it anyway.



Flocked Treesons! Im not a fan of flocked stuff, but I do like the color of the blue one. I would probably buy it if it weren't flocked because I think it'll compliment the large pink Treeson I already have.



Art owl posts I found on tumblr. HAHAH this is 100% true for me as well.



Exactly what I've been doing every year. My pumpkin from last year was entirely carved with  a x-acto set.



and because I don't think I've ever uploaded this on my blog.... pumpkin from last year.