Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Yoka


In August 2009, my client Brenda from States discovered my art in Gallery Nucleus during Tree House show. She purchased one of my Tree House pieces. Later, she saw my commissioned Owl toy for my client Nick. She wanted a custom toy from me so I added her in my commission list. In March - June 2010 (I was working on other artworks for the shows/commissions), Brenda and I started discussing about her art requests. I really loved the way she communicated with me easily gently. Her art request said, " I'm thinking of something colorful (as with your typical palette). Maybe with a slight emphasis on orange & light blue/aqua colors. I want the piece to portray the emotions of happiness, laughter, compassion, love & connection (like a circle of life or we are all connected in some spiritual way). I like whimsical & natural elements (animals, tulips, trees, butterflies...) which is I adore your work! I also have not yet looked into a blank custom toy. Do you happen to know of any pandas? Can you paint a panda or several pandas? "

Then I kept browsing every different shapes / styles of custom blank toys like Munny, Dunny, etc... until I found Yoka on Flickr. Yoka is perfect for Brenda's requests. So I made sketches & sent them to her through email. After one month I waited for her, she finally replied to me & loved them all.


I figured it out that her dad passed away after battling his liver cancer for 18 months so Brenda was very behind on her emails. I felt so sorry, my deepest condolences... Then Brenda changed her mind and gave me new art requests: " On that somber note, I was also wondering if we can do a little tribute to my dad on that toy? Perhaps we can add a small drawing off to the side of the toy of a father holding hands with a a little girl / daughter & mother, or rooster, ox, rat, horse & dog? (they are based on Chinese zodiac signs of Brenda's family - her husband, brother & auntie). " Then she showed me her old family pictures from 1972 & 1975 (I really dig on their vintage photos, they looked quite clear like digital camera!) for my reference & my inspiration. But she explained to me that her parents were divorced.


And my final rough sketches. But I changed my few revisions (you guys will watch my Yoka video on YouTube below).

Full Body.
click to see this full LARGE VIEW.

More details.
Brenda created a new name for Yoka toy, "Xiong Mao Bao Bao" means panda baby in mandarin chinese. It's pronounced "Shong" with a long "o" sound.


Now, you guys are ready to watch my full Yoka video. I filmed with my Panasonic GF1 camera + Lumix 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens + Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 (handheld + tripod) and Nokton 50mm f/1.1 (tilt-shift technique by my hands). I can't upload my 600MB video on Vimeo because of 500MB per week only. So I chose YouTube, glad it's free.

TAKE NOTE: If you have a fast internet connection, I recommend you to use HD video (720p) on YouTube so the HD video image looks beautifully professionally clearer. When you have a slow internet, please change it from 720p to 480p / 360p. Enjoy viewing!

I cried when I said goodbye to Yoka. At least I'm happy that Brenda is happy to have him like a new family. Thank you so much for everything, Brenda!



UPDATED FOR GERMANY: I was surprised that I got emails from Germans that they can't watch my Yoka video on YouTube. It blocks Germany country only, it's so weird! I can do nothing with YouTube because it says, " No action is required on your part. Your video is still available everywhere not listed above. In some cases ads may appear next to your video. " YouTube sounds odd.

No worries, please watch my Yoka video on Vimeo site. Danke Schoen!

39 comments:

pupu said...

OMG!!!! BEAUTIFUL DETAILS MALLL!!!!! Excellent!! love the details..i love the little panda inside the Yoka toy. :)))) so cuteee.. you are very creative mall. very.... and i love the colors. :))))) make more custom toys Mall. :))

ch said...

Mallyyyyy oh my God i want to cry seeing this >.< very beautiful!

Anne-Julie said...

I am super extremely impressed May Ann, wow! =D

Anonymous said...

wow! i used to hear about this but i never imagined it could be sooo amzingly beautiful... stay blessed! hey, i'm a fan...:)

ishtar olivera said...

dear Mall,
you always keep surprising me...your yoka panda bear is AMAZING!! SO SO SO SO BEAUTIFUL!!! WOW!!!
But not only that! the video is amazing too!!!!! so concluding..you are an amazing, incredible artist. One in a million!! my blessings to you dear MAll!!

jobeat said...

you're so awesome, Mall! :)

Banggi said...

By the powers of Greyskull, you are just spectacular!!! The toy, the video -- everything's just bursting with artistry, I can't stop smiling and wriggling in excitement in my seat! Ah May Ann!!! Hands down to you!! Hats off na rin!! Grabe! Ang galing-galing mo talagaaaa!! :):):)

Veejay!

Randy Santa-Ana said...

Truly magical work, Mall! I am totally mesmerized! Thank you for sharing such fantastic images and video! Wow!

techiechic said...

Wow! This is amazing. I love your artwork.

Pao said...

HANDS DOWN MS. Mall! you're an impeccable force of greatness. The intricate details to the colors and to the VIDEO. You're an inspiration. And I hope ms. Brenda will take care of my Panda. Haha just kidding.

lulusan said...

love love love!!!
love your work,love that 熊猫宝宝! ^^

lulusan said...

love love love!!!
love your work!love that 熊猫宝宝!

Angel said...

That looks amazing!

Patricia and Susana said...

Wow, May Ann! We were both extremely moved by the story of your client ♥ the toy is a wonderful hommage to Brenda dad.

Once again, we have to say how mesmerized we are by the incredible work that you did with the video. It was great to follow the creative process of your Yoka toy until the last stage! It made us sigh of happiness and think that there is magic in this world and that you are a master in creating things that make us all feel happy and in good mood :D the details are astonishing! The little hole inside the panda belly is precious ♥ ♥ ♥ and the colours are so vivid! It is so so so dazzling!

Thank you for sharing this! And congratulations for another amazing masterpiece :3 can't wait to see what you'll create next :D

*HUGS*

aintshakespeare said...

That's really amazing.

peet said...

Thank you very much for sharing this. I really need it today, cause I get some bad news, but this made me smile on this sad day. Thank you,it's beautiful.

Mikimidori said...

your work is so stunning

Unknown said...

You are the most amazing artist I have ever seen. I would really love to buy a toy from you one day when you have the time. I just graduated from college and am trying to get a start in the art field and you are a HUGE inspiration to me. I hope one day I can be as amazing as you!!!
If you ever had time I would absolutely love it if you looked at some of my art on my blog!!! http://iris-opus.blogspot.com/ Thanks so much and keep up the amazing work!!

Courtney Jo

Unknown said...

amazingly inspirational!!! :D

Bjornik said...

Woooooooooooowwww! Idol talaga, the video was worth the wait, thanks for sharing Mall!>:D<

Unknown said...

i LOVE your art, Mall!! you create beautiful and whimsical images, and use colors that bring happiness and cheer. THANK YOU so much for your wonderful work and this incredible tribute to my dad! the video is amazing!! can't wait for your next creation!

hello my name is pergy said...

wooah!! love the video you made my gosh you're super talented! :D

ame.art said...

I was following this project since you first made posts about it and wow...! You're amazing, Mall!

Lauren said...

Thanks for sharing this with us May Ann... Yoka is so amazingly beautiful... You are too sista.... :)

Christina Conway said...

You're truly inspiring! Thank you!

http://2winks.blogspot.com/2010/09/xiong-mao-bao-bao-by-mall.html

zeus bascon said...

GAAARRAAABBBEEE KAAA!haha ganda at ang galing!!

kunko said...

miss mall, how many talents do you have? you are so rare & fragile, unbelievable. . . can you tell us, what's your weakest point?

Reg said...

OMG! My jaw dropped when I saw the final product. Soooo beautiful! Even the way it was photographed only made it more beautiful. You're really my most favorite artist ever <3

Yukari said...

YOU ARE AMAZING AS USUAL!!! I really enjoyed watching the video as well~ *o*

I will be staying in San Francisco for a few days in December! When will you be there? I would love to visit the gallery!

xinleh said...

I haven't checked out your blog in a while, but oh my goodness how much you've progressed. <3 You probably don't remember me, but I was the 100k pageview winner of your deviantart page (hermithole/Xinlin), and you sent me two lovely prints of your work, which I still keep to this day, neatly pressed between the pages of my file but admired only once in a blue moon for fear that they'll collect dust and spoil. Your work has such a rich, fantastical quality to it, and the amount of details you put into them is incredible. Oh how I would loooove to see the bear in person. Congrats on getting your paintings exhibited in the US. Asians represent, hehehe <3

Hudson said...

This is absolutely my most favorite piece of art that I have seen this year. The video, photos, process, and sculpture are all just absolutely superb. Wow. This is amazing. Your love for nature's beauty really seems to show in this...

Waynestonbears said...

Hi Mall, I happen to drop by your blog and saw your beautiful works. Your creations are amazing, I am a product designer from Singapore and I make teddy bears.

I am a new follower of your blog, hope you can visit my blog too: www.waynestonbears.blogspot.com

Looking forward to see your latest creations.

Cheers,
Wayne

nick + said...

Dear Mall,

It's real great to see you taking the challenge on another toy platform. It's absolutely looking gorgeous. From where you're coming from and how it all came about with your client, it's a marvelous piece of result and art.

Owl is doing great in Malaysia. Just never really got used to the heat still. Owl will find its place in my home real soon for years and generations to come.

Best wishes,
Nick

Anonymous said...

grabe super galing in love na ko sayo :)

Anonymous said...

wow... I love you custom toy
it cool

amira said...

you are amazing!

Majeak Ann said...

AAhhhh, my Gooosssh, you are amazing May Ann. I am glad I came to visit you here, I have been missing so much in here!
You are divine being on earth.
Take care pretty friend. Keep the energy flowing.

Majeakal Hug!

-Marjorie

湘绣蜻蜓 said...

Dear Mall,

This is very nice!
Do you sell your work?

sandygrafik said...

Amazing piece!! Love all the wonderful little details on it! You have put lots of love on it!