Because the weather today is so nice, because the sunny days are getting scarce, because I need some exercise, and because I’m gonna be super busy starting next week, I went biking alone to Kits Beach. Yes perhaps these are wonderful excuses for this kind of luxury, but who can resist the view of the sea and the mountains? The view made me smile as I entered the park.
Who says I can’t create romance on my own? I had a wonderful moment with the sea…
You have to admit that San Francisco is a vibrant city – a city full of history, culture, and ideals. The street view tells it all.
On the forth day of my trip, I went to the the Mission area. First, I stopped at the Bi-rite Creamery by Dolores Park. I had the most wonderful ice cream in my life, no kidding! Their ice cream is organic, and they specialize in unique flavours that are hard to find else where. I had salted caramel and honey lavender. It tasted ridiculously awesome! In the neibourhood is also a famous bakery/cafe Tartine. They have a cookbook published by Chronicle Books. I’m so tempted to buy the book after being there, even though I probably can’t make it as delicious. I wasn’t gonna getting any food but drinks, until I saw the quiche with golden-brown crust sitting on the counter. So I got a piece of quiche, which is amazingly tasty! The crust is crispy and the egg fluffy.
With a full stomach, I took a stroll along Valencia St. There are some pretty neat stores along Valencia St.: The Curiosity Shoppe, Little Ostu, and the Pirate Supply Store at 826 Valencia. While I’m not into pirates and all that, Little Ostu and The Curiosity Shoppe are definitely my favourite! They are full of handmade and designy stuff that took me a while to browse through.
After the Mission, I took a bus to the Haight-Ashbury area. Haight St. was crowded with young people, especially students, who came shopping in the countless vintage stores. It’s also a place for hippies, punks, and weirdos. Oh, and tourists, like me.
After I strolled around the city by myself, I felt that I could totally live here! There are abundant inspirations that can stimulate my creativity here. And of course, there’s the California sunshine!
✱ Since this trip is pretty much a “solo” trip, I had to plan everything myself – the places I wanna go and the things I wanna see. I found that with iPad, traveling has been a hell lot easier, especially with free wi-fi so common in San Francisco. I could search on Google Maps and check the bus number and time almost wherever I am. There’s no need to carry a heavy guide book or hold a super-size map in hand, trying to figure out where I am. All I need is my iPad and I’m good to explore the city. Now I’m really convinced that this device was worth investing in.
It was the hottest day in 2 years in San Francisco. The heat made a perfect reason for me to spend the afternoon in SFMOMA, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
I have to say that I have never had such a great time in a museum since I got back from London (sorry, Vancouver Art Gallery!). The exhibitions were really interesting and extraordinary! From Ansel Adams, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Mark Rothko, to Andy Warhol, and Picasso, every wall excites you, makes you feel that you don’t need to be super arty to understand the stuff. It’s a shame that the exhibitions at VAG never really made people exciting…
I was so glad that photography was allowed in the museum, so I could show some bits of it here. SFMOMA is definitely on the list when I’m in the city next time.
Just got back from San Francisco!
It was only a mini trip for me because I was there to help my sister, Patty, settle down in the Oakland campus of California College of the Arts. But, I had lots of fun exploring the city on my own.
I have so many pictures that I want to show, but first, I want to show off the souvenirs I brought back from San Fran!
There were so many wonderful letterpress prints at Little Otsu! I wish I could hang them all on my wall! Oh well, maybe next time!
Okay I know. I didn’t post anything in July. I’m sorry. I’ve been having too much fun…
Anyways, it’s good to be back on track again.
Here’s a bunch of logos I created for my portfolio site. I just can’t decide which one is the best.
Vote here if you want. But who knows if I’ll use it in the end…
I’m not completely satisfied with this design. We’ll see.
My first textile class:
Block printing.
Block printing is not new to me, but what’s new is to cut out a shape/shapes from a cork sheet to make a printing block. The pores and roughness of cork give the printing result so much texture!
This is just a test print. Next class we’re going to learn how to dye fabrics and print from vegetables!
I can’t wait to get dirty! Textile printing is so much fun!
Ok. These invitation suites are obviously not for myself. I designed these because I was inspired by some wedding invitations that I saw the other day. I also have been thinking, perhaps this is a market that I can look into if I can design my own announcement suites.
Therefore, voilà! These are the first two designs I’ve come up with so far. I still have lots of ideas in mind. Hopefully I can show them soon!
Oh by the way, if you happen to know some lucky girls/guys who are preparing to get married, please show this page to them!
❋ click on the images below to view the details.
I have read about enormouschampion and seen their work in Print and Uppercase magazines. Never thought that I would be able to own one of their original artwork!
enormouschampion is a design studio based in Brooklyn, New York. More about enormouschampion, please visit their blog.
The print I got is a limited edition, letterpress print. It is one of the most beautiful letterpress I’ve ever seen! So many wonderful little ornaments are sitting perfectly in that big, bold type saying “ALL GOOD THINGS.” They’re indeed all good things! Along with the print, I also received a letterpress card as a gift! And I love how they treat you as an individual customer with a hand-written note. The note card is also letterpress!
Hopefully I can find a nice frame soon to hang the print on my wall :)
p.s. Click on the images above to enlarge them.
I’ve been noticing this set of ceramics for a long, long time. I can’t keep my eyes of it whenever I go to Starbucks. I knew it will finally go on sale someday, so I didn’t buy it, until yesterday.
It wasn’t a crazy sale, only 2-dollar difference, but I’m so happy that I can finally own these colourful cups. Using them to drink tea, or have some granola yogurt parfait is such a delight!
I think they can be used in other purposes as well, like candle holder, container for jewelry, or vase. What do you think?
Croissantmas?
I can’t believe it’s Christmas again, and I can’t believe the last time I blogged was in mid-September…
This Christmas, I want to create some graphics that are not traditional or cheesy, but whimsical and fun.
For this one, originally I want to make the stripe pattern in croissants look like candy canes, but the result wasn’t close to what I had in mind.
And don’t ask me what Croissantmas means. It doesn’t mean anything…