Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls in Singapore

Maybelle in Singapore via HappyHandsProject

Just the other day I remember a discussion on the Flourish Forum about Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls’ calligraphy exemplar. Some were wondering if it would be worth attending her class or just purchasing her kit online. The kit alone is such a treat – I can stare at Maybelle’s handwriting all day! However, if you know that she’ll be in your city, I’d say go to her class instead. An in-person workshop is a much better option if you have a choice.

Let me tell you why.

Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls in Singapore via Happy Hands Project

Being in Singapore, I was so fortunate to have Bloesem Creative Space invite Maybelle for a series of classes. To say workshops by renowned calligraphers are rare here would be a total understatement. I’ve never gone to a calligraphy workshop before so this one will practically be my first ever. Being a fan of her works and style for ages, I was super excited to say the least!

It was a glorious Sunday morning. After having breakfast with my husband at the Tiong Bahru Bakery, he walked me across to Bloesem for the 3-hour class. You know what made the morning even more glorious? I had a front row seat! Exactly in front of Maybelle! It was very inspiring to hear how she started out and be able to observe how she actually writes. It’s very beneficial especially for beginners because simple things like incorrect writing angles will be easily addressed. Anyone’s free to ask questions, too. And the kit. Oh, the kit. I know I already have a lot of ink holders, pens and a million other odds and ends, but I love all the handmade tools and letterpress exemplar that Maybelle brought for the workshop.

Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls in Singapore via Happy Hands Project

Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls in Singapore via Happy Hands Project

Aditionally, I believe it’s Bloesem’s interiors that really set the mood for such an enjoyable class. Who wouldn’t love practicing calligraphy in such a lovely space with rays of sunlight peeking through? We were all pampered with refreshments as well – all cooked lovingly in Bloesem’s kitchen. After mingling with Maybelle and the ladies, champagne was served. Yes, you read that right. We were that spoilt.

Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls in Singapore via Happy Hands Project

 

Maybelle Imasa-Stukuls in Singapore via Happy Hands Project

I guess all this pretty much sums up why I think an in-person workshop would be well worth your time. Be sure to check Maybelle’s workshop page as that’s where I found out she was coming here and almost fell of my seat. Bloesem’s classes always have something interesting being offered as well. I would go to every single class if I could!

For my very own Happy Hour Workshops here in Singapore, I’ll be announcing a date (or dates!) soon. Leave your email here to be in the loop.

A Peek Into The Happy Hour Workshop

Happy Hour Workshop via Happy Hands Project

The inaugural Beginners’ Workshop by yours truly is over and I had such a great time! To all you ladies who came, thank you, thank you for learning calligraphy with me. It was a hot and humid day in Singapore (which probably explained the shortage of taxis) so we were all thankful for the refreshments prepared by our wonderful host, Eunice, of Heaven In A Wildflower. Our class took place in her lovely home studio in Joo Chiat.

Happy Hour Workshop via Happy Hands Project

What we had last Saturday was a beginners’ class – no experience necessary. This class was all about the basics. We learned about the concept of pointed pen calligraphy, how I started with this art (uh, I showed them my first attempts, which makes me wonder why I even kept it!), how to get started with your writing, practice drills and of course… the basic letter forms.

Happy Hour Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Happy Hour Workshop via Happy Hands Project

The whole afternoon turned out to be a lighthearted practice and story-telling session about all things calligraphy. Questions were thrown here and there, some were so serious with their writing and could hardly breathe, some wouldn’t even rise from their seats when cakes from Carpenter & Cook were brought in. Time just whizzed by and we had to pack up after a little chat. I thought, it’s over? So I guess I did have a lot of fun teaching, and I hope I can do it again. The afternoon ended with some vintage eye candy when we all headed downstairs. Look here if you want to see the wealth of vintage furniture and props for styling. It’s located on the studio’s ground floor. Ah-mazing.

Vintage props fromStudio @ Heaven in a Wildflower

{Photo above from www.heavenwildfleur.com}

I hope you’ll be there on my next class! The mailing list is here. And if you were there that afternoon, I’d love to hear your opinions about the class. The feedback form has been sent by email. I am so looking forward to the next one, hope you are, too!

Happy Hour Workshop via Happy Hands Project

Hope In A Card Christmas Postcards

Hope In A Card via Happy Hands Project

Here’s what I and eleven other talented artists in Singapore have been up to the past few weeks – ‘Hope In A Card‘, a set of 12 postcards originally designed by Filipinos here in Singapore to benefit the Typhoon Haiyan victims. I am truly amazed by how the designs all turned out. All of us tried to churn out original designs within a very tight time frame, and everyone delivered their best.

For my design, I wrote a quote in calligraphy that I found most suitable for the message we want to send out. Hope and Love for the strong survivors of the disaster. More details can be found in the Hope In A Card Facebook page, and a private message to the administrators will give you more details on how to purchase your own set. Each pack of 12 postcards is S$12.

Hope In A Card via Happy Hands Project

I have another artwork over at my Etsy shop which is an instant download wall art. 100% of all sales will also be sent to the Philippine Red Cross. Thanks to everyone who have helped so far!

Life is a Song. Are You Singing Along?

If the  quote below is true, I guess my current soundtrack would be a very fast-paced dance song. And yep, I’m ‘singing along’ but I’m getting a bit breathless from trying! For the Moms who read this – do you remember when the old-time parents used to tell us that we should be prepared when we have our own kids? Do everything you want to do, go where you want to go, because when you start having kids, it’s game over?

Life Is A Song Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project
I don’t agree with ‘game over’ (I love being a Mom and enjoy every minute of it) but my toddler who just turned two has been challenging my stamina lately. A few weeks ago, we were at a play gym for a complimentary class. It was a wonderful mommy-and-daughter bonding time. She was very enthusiastic and absolutely loved the place. All the kids and their moms were in place, seated together in a circle. Oh, we were seated quietly, too – for maybe two minutes max. She was up running around and exploring all the other equipment in the gym.

The best part was storytelling. She loves stories and is very fond of bedtime reading, but at the gym, music was blaring and she would rather dance around to the songs rather than listen to the story! All the kids were seated, as always, while she dances in the middle of the circle. She was dancing without a care in the world! I didn’t try to restrain her or anything. I just sat back and watched, and reveled in one of the happiest moments of my life.

What song is your life playing right now?

A Calligraphy Tribute to Felicity

Felicity Opening Credit Photo

Oh, Felicity. I remember being addicted to this college soap – with its hopeless romantic protagonist, New York City setting, and yes – art school. Just recalling the show gives me this sense of nostalgia that’s not too easy to brush off. As Felicity was painting for her art classes, I was also spending sleepless nights trying to get by on my own art projects. However, I didn’t live in a huge dorm room in NY, or worked at a cool coffee shop. I couldn’t paint with an easel. Unlike Felicity, I paint on the floor.

A Calligraphy Tribute to Felicity via Happy Hands Project

Felicity at the time, became a template for those college drama queens. It was tailor-made for girls my age. Remember those movies or TV shows when you feel that everything the characters say just totally relates to how you feel? It was all that. See, Felicity Porter ditched Stanford University to go after her high school crush, Ben Covington. I cannot imagine doing such a horrible thing. He didn’t even knew she existed. And bam! In college they suddenly become close friends, even though Felicity was obviously obsessing over him – in a super weird way, mind you. What makes it even better (or worse, I can’t tell) is they actually fall in love. Yep. They did.

Gosh, I loved that show.

A Calligraphy Tribute to Felicity via Happy Hands Project

As a tribute to one of my favorite shows of all time, I wrote quotes for my calligraphy practice. It does feel good, reminiscing about how hooked I was back then… when little squabbles with girlfriends were already a big deal, and hanging out with friends was an essential part of our existence. Life was more laid back, time just seemed to move a little slower. Oh, and it was also like, a time when we like, talk this way for like, forever. But seriously? Those were pretty good times.

 

* Photo credit: Top photo from www.alejandroherrero.com. Amazing black and white photos from the opening credits can be viewed here.