T: Tell us how you got into the book-making business.
I didn't expect to continue with my book arts. I lost confidence in my work and in my ability and I actually thought I wasn't good enough to be any type of artist. Then I realised I didn't spend all those years learning and just to forget them, because the person I'm letting down is myself.
I decided to look back into my book arts and broke it down and figured I enjoyed the process of making books. During my Masters we were only introduced to a few structures and in my research there were more to learn. I gathered whatever tools I can locally and from friends overseas, managed to get books and things from the internet for instructions, and used them to start making.
Whatever I made became presents for friends and families and all it took was my time. The turning point was in 2006 where I participated in a craft fair that was held at one of the hotels and first time I put myself in public. I only sold one book but I had a lot of enquiries. I wondered whether it was worth continuing or should I do something else.
It was half a year later after the event when I got my first serious order, and it snowballed from there. I now get orders to make books, albums and folders for various reasons and ocassions. Because of the nature of my creations my prices are quite high, I pride in the workmanship and it reflects in the work because I care about them and feel a bit sad when I have to let them go. When a work is completed and how it's presented to the client is also important, it gives them the first impression to what there is to come. I keep my packaging simple yet effective.
When I don't have any orders to do book wise, I also paint, I have several painting on commissions that I do for clients as well as for myself. I would also like to find some time to fit in other creative aspects that I want to try out or experiment on.
It was half a year later after the event when I got my first serious order, and it snowballed from there. I now get orders to make books, albums and folders for various reasons and ocassions. Because of the nature of my creations my prices are quite high, I pride in the workmanship and it reflects in the work because I care about them and feel a bit sad when I have to let them go. When a work is completed and how it's presented to the client is also important, it gives them the first impression to what there is to come. I keep my packaging simple yet effective.
When I don't have any orders to do book wise, I also paint, I have several painting on commissions that I do for clients as well as for myself. I would also like to find some time to fit in other creative aspects that I want to try out or experiment on.
T: You mentioned reading is a hobby.What do you like to read?
MRY: I read fiction to relax and unwind. And since this is about encouraging students to read, you'd be interested to know that I also read and collect comic books and graphic novels. The story lines are solid and the art works are fantastic. In terms of 'books', the authors I read are anything by Terry Pratchett and things like Neil Gaiman. When I was teenager I was into the science fiction fantasy genre where as all the girls that time were into trashy romance novels, I get to escape with dragons and wars and they get to escape with their supposedly perfect guy.
Readers Digest was something I read since I was little and I still do so now, and it's one book I enjoy picking up every month as you get a mix of jokes, meaningful stories and lessons and tips you can apply to your life. So it doesn't matter what books you read as long as you enjoy reading them, yet keep your mind open to try out other genre because you never know you might like them too.
Readers Digest was something I read since I was little and I still do so now, and it's one book I enjoy picking up every month as you get a mix of jokes, meaningful stories and lessons and tips you can apply to your life. So it doesn't matter what books you read as long as you enjoy reading them, yet keep your mind open to try out other genre because you never know you might like them too.
I do not consider what I do (arts & crafts) as a hobby, it is more a passion, my sanctuary, ideally I like to do this full time and make a proper living out of it.
T: Any advice for SMRIMBA students who wish to take art & crafts as a hobby?
MRY: Being creative is just a matter of practicing, making use with what is available, and turning it into something different and wonderful, and you always continually challenge yourself to create something better.
No comments:
Post a Comment