Hong Kong traditional shops

I spent a bit of time in HK walking around the older parts of town, that haven't been developed, and took some photos of the traditional shops I love...This is the key-cutting man who works on my street,and this is the local corner shop where I used to live.I love the way the shops look, even when they're closed for business,especially their original exterior metal shutters... I really hope that all the places like these never disappear.

aquarium + museum

At the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco I admired the gorgeous anemones and seaweed in the aquarium.There were fish, seahorses, sea slugs and coral, and all sorts of weird squiggly things.The shiny gold sparkles of the piranha were mesmerising.There were also fascinating historical displays on the upper floors. I just can't resist the labels and cataloguing of these types of collections.I loved all the hand-writing and little boxes...

Pacific Place photos

The Chinese New Year decorations featuring my zodiac illustrations are now installed in the Thomas Heatherwick designed Pacific Place shopping mall in HK. In the large atrium, there are banners and lanterns, which are also featured throughout the mall. My favourite part of the installation is the glass wall of the lifts; it features my illustration on a huge scale, and looks wonderful when you travel up and down.They're also on the connecting mall walkway, over the main road,and there's a pagoda with flower maze in the lower atrium, with an illustrated rotating display and each of the zodiac animals on the outer wall. At the back of this display are some Chinese-style screens made of wood. I love the way elements from my drawn illustration have been transformed into 3D.There's a smaller pagoda also, based on my drawings, with information screens and drawings on each side. I really like the flowers on the floor!If you spend a certain amount of money while you're shopping at the mall, you can collect a special gift at this lovely kiosk.You can get two of these limited edition fine bone china dinner plates, with my zodiac illustration in a lovely repeat pattern!

And if you upload an instagram photo at the mall, you may win a pack of these wonderful pink and gold lucky fai chun.I do hope you'll go and have a look!

happy birthday me!

I've spent a lovely few days celebrating my birthday: I went to the De Young museum to sketch, and then to the wonderful State Bird Provisions for dinner with friends. OMG it was totally amazing. It was sort of dim sum style, with waiters coming round with selections of tasty little plates. The pancakes with corn & Mt Tam cheese were absolutely to die for! Everyone was casual and friendly and they gave us extra ice cream sandwiches which was a lovely touch. And then today I had a picnic in the local Washington Park in the sunshine... I made cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and everyone brought something to share. My friend made these amazing individual jellies...Another lovely birthday. Thank you everyone!

aloof

I went to the launch party of the new Bonaveri mannequin collection 'Aloof' this weekend, hosted by Blue Studio (a favourite client of mine) in London. The display of the mannequins, the delightful dinner and the utterly gorgeous display of peonies and poppies was truly wonderful. I hope I can work on a window display soon!