The Mégisserie

14 quai de la Mégisserie - Paris

To publish the first book as a 100% amateur is hard as you know, especially for a beginner, a lot of time spending into research & technical stuffs instead of the content itself. What you need are family & friends!

Those who are willing to spend time to read your first draft seriously even though they don't even know you can publish successfully or not, they still comment and advise generously to help you think broader & deeper.

This watercolor drawing was not existed in my first draft but third revision in Book One: Pont Neuf. Because my original thought of this series has to be clean & simple, reflect everything of what I've seen in real, without unnecessary enhancing, including touch up of the photos; resulting "a pale look" overall or even more "un-professional".

Jessie, the first reader of mine always take time to hear and discuss with me of my dream of a solo trip to Paris and publishing, "if you can add a color drawing in the middle section of the book may create more interest" - her advice.

Truly speaking, I put my watercolor kit in my drawer for almost 15 years; when I was a design student yearsssss.....ago, I did worst in watercolor and that's why I really don't have confidence to produce one...but finally, I did.

I choose 14 quai de la Mégisserie because of it's magnificent door way of the architecture itself; it's not a kind of luxury but breathtaking, I will say, whenever you head up to the goddess sculpture.

It was located near to my hotel so every time I passes by, I told myself, it's just the beginning, there are a lot more to discover in this Petit Paris, and I am fully charged.

Hopefully this simple addition of interest can cheer you up,too.

Finally, once again, thank you Jessie!

Along the Seine

Pont Neuf - The Seine - Paris Oct 2019

Imagine, you can walk along The Seine, every morning, in the afternoon or at night, what do you think? To me? dream...dream...dream...I wish I could!

Once you've been there, trust me, you'll never forget the aroma of the breeze, humidity of the air, warmth of the sun, tranquility of the surrounding, so relax...

But on the same sunny day, while you are enjoying the fascinated twilight moment, a sudden shower arrive without alarm, together with crazy wind in the dark, sometimes cold and sharp. 

Watching people screaming with laughter to look for a shelter like myself, it's funny and still, lovely! Yes, this is a wonderful experience to live nearby, I did experience "Four seasons" in the same day, unforgettable and truly amazing.

My hotel was located on the Right Bank, if you love a more quiet place, you can choose those on the Left Bank, or even The Island in the middle; no matter where you are, simply Enjoy !

Why this for Book One?

Hi, hi,

A forever love feature in Paris, it may be familiar with many of you, right? 

Art Nouveau, one of my favorite style, beautiful ornate details, feminine, soft & stylish. You can find this everywhere in Paris, just locate at every metro entrance, this is the one at Pont Neuf near The Louvre. Besides this, any where at shops, apartments, signage,
posters, architecture...,etc.

I especially love the arrangement of this station...instantly at my first sight. I saw this quite a number of times in design book or traveler's guide before, but when I were actually there, right in front, the joy is speechless...

When I touched the metal balustrade, feeling the crafted details of the flower stem, how they were extended to the railing, embedded & "melt" into the base; how it hold tight to "Metropolitain", the "blood red" flower bud not yet light up and will then transform into "Moulin Rouge red" at night; four illuminate round "dots" lead you to the aged underground world... I think I should stop here :P

So when I returned to Hong Kong, decided to begin my Book One, it was used as my reference to draw the book cover. 
I hope you like it ,too.

Bird talk - First day in Paris

It’s almost 0600 when arrived Charles de Gaulle Airport, I must confessed that I am forgetful as well as a direction blind; after 13h in the air and finally landing, I needed an extra hour to find the way out from the airport to join my hotel driver... sorry to keep you waiting, Cary!

Although it’s only in mid October, the air was chilly; when we drove off from the highway into the street...so quiet in the dark, everyone was in their sweet dreams right now (it was not totally true when I was discovered something later ).

Sparkling of traffic lamps, red & green, here & there; decorated by scattered yellowish spots from shops or cars...”Midnight in Paris “ was the film in my head. Wherever our car stopped, I kept staring to the far end of alley or the street corner, wondering if that mysterious car or person of 1920s would appeared in front of me......I love this city instantly, in my twilight zone!

Cary was so nice that she drove me through Cour carrée of The Louvre  for a quick glance before arriving hotel...I’d loved to treat it as my first gift received in Paris, merci.

Truly speaking, I did or at least should feel tired, and the checked in time was 1400, as scheduled, I had to stay outside for 5 hours, but...I did received my second gift, early checked in at 1100, hurray!

How about the third gift? I shared with you already Pont Neuf...fresh air ,breeze from the Seine; warmth by the beautiful sun & rich aroma of my double espresso, be my guest :)

I chose Pont Neuf (1e : Les Halles) to stay because of it’s walk-able distance to most of my favorite spots, to collect my museum pass from the Office de Tourisme de Paris, I’ve already in the next arrondissement 4e : Le Marais. Metro, bus or cycling could bring you anywhere, but I preferred walking, because Paris is one of the most beautiful & delicate city that worth to take my time to explore in detail.

Walking along the Seine was always amazing , seeing family & friends gathered for a Sunday picnic, someone relaxing in the moment of his/ her own; photographers, professional or amateur? who cares......tourist, of course, like me slowing down our momentum to receive the sun bath, absolutely free!

Dark fell quickly after twilight, to Parisian, it’s just the beginning of another happy hour. But I needed a rest ......now in my cosy room with my late night coffee at 2310, jazz music flowing in the air......

Petit Paris - Pont Neuf

click to enlarge

Hi hi, 

It's been a while after our last chat, right? Cos' I am quite busy these days, to do what? To draw and write this, and finally released on Google Book this week...so...so...excited :D

Although it is only a short picture book that I've started with for this series, I did work onto it seriously, hopefully you can feel it, too!

Our publisher name is PROTOWORK,

you can find me from here also Oiseau Distrait

As a Welcome gift, a discount is offer right now until mid of March, Enjoy!

I am still working on to distribute in other platform such as Apple Book, and will be announced once it is ready.

If you would like to see the "story" of producing the watercolor painting inside, there will be another post in Cocoa Design Life Instagram a bit later, be our guest and hope to see you there :)

To write short, I better tell you "behind the scene" of this book in next post, good day!

P.S.- read book in landscape view to display double pages 

Magic moment at Tsukiji Market

It must be over 20 years of more, this photo was taken at the Tsukiji Market, our second visit to Japan; as far as I've remember, I was still using my Minolta SLR camera and this was scanned from my washed out photograph. 

When we arrived at around 7:00 am that morning, every workers had already finished their distribution work except some small shop like this one. We walked slowly and acted as quiet as possible to avoid disturbance, actually I was a bit disappointed while thought of nothing great would happened due to our late arrival, so I just looked around and wondering what were these guys still busy on?

Suddenly,  a beam of sun ray fell onto them in front of me, it was so beautiful...I just shoot without hesitation. 

Every time when I look at it, all my memories return...the huge high ceiling market, dark and wet, faint light bulbs in yellowish grey swinging above stalls, large or small; aroma of sea water mix with freshly scent of seafood, trucks here and there, noisy but energetic, so busy...and suddenly all gone......

It is still one of my favorite photo that I've ever took. I hope you like it, too.



 

Hong Kong Wetland Park

What a wonderful days we are having in Hong Kong this week, so I've decided to visit the Wetland Park. 

Most of us will be fascinating to the "tenant" inside : birds, fish, butterfly,...etc. So my original intention is  bird watching , especially when one of my friend told me that the best moment for this activity is in Winter (even it's a bit late); but to my surprise, there are candy like trees found somewhere in the park.

See, what a beautiful color they are under the clear blue sky. I took the first picture at around 2:00p.m. but I've decided to wait until 4:30p.m. for a second shot to capture the golden moment.
   

So I got this lovely "mango like" leaves, too. If it is not God's creation, what can it be?

It seems quite strange that why there are still leaves on tree but not in fresh green during this early Spring time? The fact is some tree will keep their leaves but stop producing chlorophyll to reserve food for itself. Or otherwise, we will not have a chance to "meet" them.

My student always said that they are not well trained in design and therefore do not have the knowledge of color sense. But this is what I've replied and is absolutely true : color are around us everywhere in every moment, simply look and feel, you will be astonish and amazing in the nature of what God made for us.  Enjoy :)

Too much "Traffic" !

After a long day's work, walking from site to my hotel, basically hungry and tired, a hot shower was what I had in my mind. While crossing a bridge, a night breeze woke me up and I was attracted by the tranquil of this view.......I stopped and stayed for a while.....

Wuhan, a city in China that you may say it's trying to develop as the third or even second line commercial city right after Beijing and Shanghai. But same as other cities like Chongqing, there is always a modern corner with a rural or undeveloped street just right next to it. I hate this feeling, it seems some one or some place are being abandoned and sacrified. So, when I was visiting China more frequently, the urban dress up becomes out of my interest.

But, I've remember the night when I was there, I was being attracted again......no huge signage, minimum neon light; a great portion of sky, concrete street path and buildings; no shopping mall but small local shops, passengers are walking in slow rhythm......a corner of tranquil !

Design can bring joy & added values to human life, but can also destroy our treasure when they are overdone......something that have already exist with us in million years ago. Could we bring the tranquil back to Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay in Hong Kong?
Or...... leave it , let them "melt" into all those "neon trap" and just regret!

Miracle boost ?!

I know the color tone is a bit strange but this is the true environment of what my "onsen" milk is waiting for in it's fridge. 

Japanese are proud of their onsen, most of the Hong Kong people love it, too. I have to say it is a A+++ grade of luxurious experience especially to enjoy their seasonal dinner after running a comfortable onsen "dip". 

But you may also heard that they will always recommend you to take some milk right after leaving the onsen, as a supplement of water lost; you will find exclusive milk supplied by your ryokan and ...... that's why I've prepared one for myself.

I just bought it from a vending machine in their lobby, so convenience and lovely, too. See it's packaging design, quite local made although I'm not sure whether it is?

So, I follow the "instruction" and you know what...... a glass of water can do,  BUT with the addition of premium value to this bottle of milk, i.e.: the myth, its' home made feel, freshness + the moment of where you are (at your vacation) and the desire of waiting to taste ......it's definitely can comfort and rejuvenate a traveler, or a shopaholic. Happy Easter !