royal delights

Sweet friends,

Just last Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine stopped by our city Kuala Lumpur, on their way to the Solomon Islands. They were on a week-long official far east visit to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

I didn't go out to see them strolling at KLCC park, knowing well it was going to be too crowded and too hot!. LOL. However, they graciously greeted a crowd of 3000 fans and then made a quick visit to the little mosque at the corner of the beautiful park. And my friend, Lili who was out there to see them upclose and was incredibly lucky to get these amazing shots!. Check out her gallery HERE :).

#1: Photo from the newspapers,the royal couple taking off their shoes and Kate wearing a headscarf before entering the mosque :).

#2: Sweet speech from Prince Charming himself, it says;

"My grandmother told me that Malaysia would provide us with some unforgettable memories, and so indeed, it has proved ... thank you from the bottom of our hearts for welcoming us to Malaysia." - Prince William

With all these excitement, I have made a sketch of William & Kate. [Inspired from a photo of them taken on the morning after their wedding]. 

and my fat prince, Arthur. Keeping me a company while I finishing up. He's messy. Has not taken a bath for three weeks now!.

I have spent a few days over the long weekend making the sketch. Most joyful time when I can dream, relax and paint. 

Hugs.

Altered Book

I collect old hard-covered books from flea markets. I look for the ones with great color & design on the cover and sturdy. It's important if I want to “alter” them later. "Alter" means, you creatively recycle them into something new like children storybook, etc. I got excited and attached a door handle to the book’s cover. When I open the book, I can almost imagine myself as Alice, stepping into Wonderland ...

I bought a book called The Artful Storybook. I got inspired from L.K Ludwig's work (famous mixed-media artist). In the book she wrote “The Magpie & the Princess” with storyline about a princess hidden in a forest who 

befriended a robin which later leads into marrying a prince charming. 

So I said quietly, maybe I like to use her story and try alter an old book. Fortunately, about the same time the whole world was watching Prince William marrying Kate Middleton. So, that’s great .. he WILL be my prince and Kate is definitely the princess!. 

So here is my take ...

"Once upon a time, there was a robin lived in a faraway forest."

" In the forest, there was a princess sadly locked away in a tower high up on the hills. Her tears turned into diamonds as they fell. They were collected by the robin."

" The robin made them into a bracelet and took it to a brave prince. Friendship blossomed and the prince rescued the princess." 

(Here comes William! Aaawww ....)

" They all lived happily ever after. And the robin is their life-long friend. The END." 

Thank you L.K Ludwig!. I enjoyed your story as much as I enjoyed making the collage work.

XO,

Shahrul