Good creative books in local bookstores

Our local bookstores have quite a good range of creative selections. Some book stores carry a larger range on creative and hobby books, others might not. To make your search quicker and easier, it is good to familiarize with the local bookstores and know what sort of range they carry so that you don't have to waste time and energy, not to mention petrol.

Kinokuniya

Kinokuniya in KLCC, Kuala Lumpur has a wide selection on books on art, crafts and creativity. It has 2 floors, and already I am yet to finish floor 1. I shall leave floor 2 for you to discover. It is definitely not my first time to Kinokuniya, but during my recent visit, I feel as if I am new there because I just realized the variety they have just under the arts & craft category alone. Kinokuniya’s books are unique. The titles that they carry are not the regular ones you find in other bookstores that we know such as MPH or Popular. They have various international titles, with some affordable prices and some not quite affordable. Kinokuniya has quite an option when it comes to jewelry making, upcycling & recycling, paper crafting, scrap booking and alter-art journaling.

But if you are in for some creative self-development, it is located at the row of bookshelves before the arts and craft section. 

Useful for Graphic Designers and Illustrators.

Some of these graphic novels and comic books can be the source of inspiration for those who fans of art & illustration

MPH, Subang Parade

Not at all MPH outlets carry large range of arts & craft titles. MPH is known for carrying good range of novels and popular titles. However, the MPH in Subang Parade seem to have quite a variety. They have expanded their titles in the creative section, especially books on fashion and sewing. For those of you who enjoy sewing and needlework, you might just be in luck at MPH Subang Parade. On a different note, MPH Subang Parade have also included a good selection on art & illustrations, as well as drawing guide books.

Watch: Runaway with the Blackhearts

via

The Runaways is a biopic based on the true story of Joan Jett and Cherrie Currie, played by Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning. Two teenage girls formed a band, becoming one of the first all-girl rock band in music history. After reaching stardom, the band breaks up and ends with Joan Jett forming her own band called Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, releasing famous song titles such as "I Love Rock & Roll".

via

Looking for a reconstructed t-shirt tutorial just like the one in the picture? Check out Crafty Chica's Punk Rock Stenciled DIY t-shirt!

Recommended links:
www.joanjett.com
www.chainsawchick.com

Announcement: Thank you Playful n Snazzy

I am very thankful to wonderful Serene from Playful n Snazzy. As mentioned previously in my post that I have been working on designing a new masthead for the blog, I am also currently working on designing new buttons, new blog decorations, etc. with the right colour combination. I was hoping to be able to hire someone to do it for me because of my tight schedule, and of course I would definitely appreciate someone else's creative talent.

I was very happy to receive an email from Playful n Snazzy, telling me that she has taken the liberty to design a Featured On button for me as a gift! It feels as if my prayers was answered! From now on, I will be adding Playful n Snazzy's specially designed button to those who are featured on my blog. Thanks to Playful n Snazzy.

To my dear readers, The Artsy Craftsy loves the Playful n Snazzy blog, do check it out!


*Original size is different from the one here

Quick Night Cap Collage

Here is a quick post on something I just worked on; I was tired and stress from all the work, but I had an itch to do a quick collage.

You see, I was working on getting inspirations to design a new masthead. And I thought I'd work with a collage technique. Here's a perfect example of collaging intuitively without letting your fears or judgements get the better of your creative self:

Collage 1

Collage 2

So, next time whenever you are feeling stress up and you need a release, do a quick collage with freedom to express. More on collage on next post, stay tune!

Journey of Sight Art Exhibition

In conjunction with World Sight Day, Save Ones Sight Missions Berhad launched its first art exhibition at Berjaya Times Square Kuala Lumpur on the 13th October 2012. The exhibition themed 'Journey of Sight' was officiated by Tan Sri Dato' Lee Lam Thye. 

An opening speech was also presented by Stevens Chan, Founder of SOSM and organizer of the event. Stevens spoke wholeheartedly on using creative arts as a way to convey to the public on this cause.

The purpose of the event was to create awareness on various eye diseases and eye-care through artworks contributed by visually impaired and non-visually impaired artists. The featured prominent artworks are by The One Academy Sunway and Penang students as well as renowned Australian photographer, Andrew Follows, who is also visually disabled. Other works consist of visual designs by local high flying graphic designers, contained messages meant to convey to the public on this social awareness.

Tan Sri Dato' Lee Lam Thye's arrival

One of the main attractions of the event was a Black Box created by one of the contributed artists- Philip Wong, Malaysia's famous artist. The Black Box was created for visitors to experience Braille Art. Another on-going was free eye check ups for the public.

Most of the artworks are for sale, and all proceeds will go to the Dogs for Sight campaign, a mission to bring in well-trained and lovable guide dogs to help the Blinds in Malaysia to be more agile and independent. 

Following the launch, Tan Sri Dato's Lee Lam Thye and Stevens Chan presented Certificates as a recognition to all artists whom have contributed to the event with their prominent artworks.

Last but not least, it was the first time for me to appear in public as The Artsy Craftsy, and it is also an honor to have received the Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of my work in copywriting for the event's materials.

The featured artworks

Other on-goings

Launching followed by the Certificate presentation ceremony.
The Artsy Craftsy blogger was rewarded.

 Main attraction

Visitors experienced Braille Art in
complete darkness in this black box

It is said that there might be more plans to come for more JOS art exhibition appearance, so look out for the next and support the cause. We hope to see more of this event on the roadshow too. For more information, or like them on Facebook to show your support on http://www.facebook.com/JourneyOfSight


Link to photo album here

How to Balance your Life with Creativity

When you work in an advertising industry, or closely-related to the art & design field, you would come across plenty of situations, whether it is creative downswings or upswings, in this world.

I had a good chat with my colleague about being stuck and feeling uninspired all the time. And the lack of exposure sometimes causes us to deteriorate in terms of creative ideas and skills. I can’t blame her for feeling that way, because these things happen. Especially when you have needs & wants to fulfill while living up to certain requirements.

Based on my experiences, I decided to give her suggestions on how to balance life as a graphic designer with her inner and outer world. It’s the least I can do as a friend because I can relate to her dilemma.  Her problem was not being able to design good artworks the same way as before, and have been feeling uninspired. However, she is leaning towards on seeking soul-food for her inner.

Suggestions for my colleague (Which you can apply to yourself too if you are facing creative blockages too):

Outer-world
So, my colleague has a lot of friends, and according to her, she enjoys spending time with her friends after work for a drink or a chat. To some people, friends are like families, and that’s great! And for people like me, I enjoy my love’s company, because he is my family.

Your life in the outer world is important to, never neglect it.  Some recommendations you can do:

Movies 

Great for inspirations

Music 

Your soul is a natural dancer

Laughter

When you laugh, your soul laughs. Your Self and your thoughts will light up

Friends & Family 

It is good to meet up with them, 

because believe it or not, the lives of your friends & family are your inspiration too. They can inspire you, motivate you, and sometimes you might get a message or two that could be the answer to any situation you are in

Outings

Always good! and the best to observe things around you. The more things you see, the more inspirations you'd get, and maybe do some simple point & shoot photograph too!

Inner-world
As mentioned, my colleague feels uninspired lately. I explained to her that since she has her outer-world life covered, she needs to balance her inner-world which can affect her creative blockage. I gave her an example that each profession has its own required tools. For example, a doctor with his stethoscope and medical reference books, a tailor with a tailoring mannequin, sewing machine and a sewing kit, a computer-gamer with his keyboard, head phones and mouse. So, coming back to the point of being a graphic designer in an art field, I asked her what her tools are; she said, a mouse, a Wacom tablet and a sketchbook.

I told her that her priority is a sketchbook and a marker (preferably Sharpie, that’s just my favourite! Haha!) And I told her that take time to draw and doodle as much as she wants, as freely as she can be. When it comes to intuitive drawings, there are no rules, no rights or wrongs, no limitations with no one to stand beside you to point out your mistakes.

Here are some recommendations:

Sketch book and marker

Draw freely, especially what comes to your mind and your heart; even if it is a monster with five hands and five eyes

Read books or blogs

Creative books or blogs has a way of inspiring you, whether it is for a light read or reference, it sure does take away some stress off your shoulder

Permission

I recently learned that we hardly give ourselves permission to rest, relax, laugh, cry, or just sit around and do nothing just because we have a long day. So, I told her, give yourself permission to do so; if your body tells you that you need to sleep, do it

Alone time

Being alone does not mean loneliness. Many have misunderstood this idea. Alone time means giving yourself sometime to be away from noise, and sometime to reflect your actions

At the end of our conversation, my colleague lighted up when I told her these guidelines, and I think she is finally ready to create again because when I walked pass her desk; I saw her scribbling and doodling away in her cute little notebook. Thumbs up!