In Case of Lost Childhood

I visited an art exhibition opening today at Wasuka Art Gallery titled "In Case of Lost Childhood" by Singaporean artist Paul Koh. He painted the same cat for 22 years in different scenarios that involve imagination and play. It's opened till 4 Oct 2026.

I was excited to see this one simply because of CATS! Who doesn't love cute characters and whimsical storytelling in art!?!? 

Wasuka Art Gallery is located on the 2nd level of 81 Joo Chiat Rd. It's 15-min walk from Paya Lebar or Eunos MRT. 

My first impression was that it felt someone's home rather than an art gallery?! Visitors casually lounged on chairs, chatted over drinks, while admiring cute art hung on walls. I totally love the relaxed vibe?!?! 

The gallery owner, Kenneth, kindly gave me a tour of his space. He has been running the gallery for 25 years!!! As for artist curation, he selected those who exhibited excellence and attention to detail in their paintings. I resonated with his passion for human artistry, a crucial stance especially in this AI slop era.

A total of 20 acrylic paintings were featured, priced from SGD700 - 3500. 

The smiley cat is featured in so many imaginative scenarios, like riding a koi fish, drinking milo, playing guitar, cosplaying as fortune cat etc. It brings a smile to your face haha! 😻

The artist infused a lot of Singapore and Japanese elements, like our traditional Chinese bowl, Singapore coffee cup, tiger balm, ice kachang etc. A very humanised local cat indeed.

Then the artist himself, Paul, asked me to choose the painting I liked best. I replied the top right one because I love the iconic Japanese fox mask. He mentioned that he has been painting the same cat 22 years, and this was his very first cat who has passed away. Very down-to-earth and approachable guy! 

Some smaller paintings priced SGD700 - 1100. Cute lah really. Simple but strong concept.

Two large paintings priced SGD3500 each. They look so Japanese-inspired with the sakura flowers, ocean blues, Japanese wind chimes and good-luck charms, traditional bowls, even his artist stamp. 

Hahaha I like the middle one: Cat soaking in Nissin cup noodles, accompanied by two birds. It's like peeking at the daily life of a cat at this point.

There is this other corner featuring works from previous artists, including figurines and prints. Kenneth mentioned that they feature new artists every two weeks, so I can come down pretty regularly! He also offered to give me tickets to Affordable Art Fair in Nov!

They sell stickers for $25/set too, and I left a congratulatory message in their guestbook. My mood has been instantly lifted with such a well-curated and thoughtfully designed space

Okay that's all! 

Navigating Grief and Loss

I attended a session called "Navigating Grief and Loss: Understanding the Journey of Grief" organised by my church's mental wellness ministry.

My experience with grief has lingered since 2023 after the loss of my kidney transplant, which means letting go of my former lifestyle and physical body. Also, the recent loss of my corporate job, which means no more financial stability and professional status. I have been feeling sad on and off, but also because no one has taught me how to properly grieve.

"You don't have to be okay today. You can simply be where you are."

Dual process model of grief

Loss-oriented: dealing with emotions directly, crying, yearning, reminiscing, leaning into internal bereavement.

Restoration-oriented: meeting the demands of a changed world, adjusting to a new routine, returning to work, leaning into functional distractions from the overwhelming weight of emotions.

People assume grief is a linear, short process of getting over negative emotions, but it is grounded in real world changes as well. It is normal for a grieving person to oscillate between the above two processes over a long period of time or even a lifetime. 

The Grief Compass

This framework helps to create structure to your emotions and understand your situation.

North: What was lost

East: What are you feeling

South: What has changed

West: What you're moving forward / not ready to face

S.A.F.E. Method

This framework is a mindful tool to navigate grief, trauma, distress etc.

S: Soften. Slow breaths, relaxed posture.

A: Allow. Give emotions full permission to exist, be present instead of fixing or escaping.

F: Face. Process what happened at your comfortable pace. Revisit memories or pain.

E: Explore. Bring curious or non-judgmental awareness to your present experience. Ground yourself, feel your feet, name things in your environment.

Companionship MUST come first before counselling or correction! Just like Job's friends sat with him for 7 days 7 nights and said nothing to let him grieve. Also, healing doesn't mean we forget the pain immediately. We just manage it better.

HT shared the story of her 14-year old daughter's suicide 4 years ago. Although her daughter seemed cheerful in everyday life, she was suddenly found motionless in her bedroom one day. By the time she was rushed to the hospital, it was too late, and she kept blaming herself for not doing enough. Initially the family couldn't come to terms with the sudden shock, it took them 4 years to process and grieve.

I teared at her story because I felt like I knew what the underlying problem was, but shit just happens you know? I think I've learnt to show more love and kindness, because you never know what someone is going through no matter how much "happiness" they perform socially. Love more, judge less.

Finding my art style

I've been drawing daily these 2 weeks to find my art style, which till now I'm still figuring it out.

Every time after I thought I've established my art style on Procreate, I start to hate it again, and this goes on forever. Is this the type of anxiety that art entrepreneurs face of never ever finding the perfect answer or even feeling good enough??? Do I just put out ALL art I've created and let the public decide for me what kind of artist I am? Because I really don't know.

Anyway, thanks to a friend who allowed me to visit her house this weekend, I was motivated to draw something nice for her. Her print turned out WAY nicer than I expected, and took me in the direction of kawaii, hand-drawn, storybook kind of art.

1. A Happy Family in a Cake
This took me 4 hours to draw and colour. I drew the family of three as rabbits because this friend asked me to buy Cedele cakes when we meet up, and recently posted about her love for Peter Rabbit storybooks on Instagram. The random animals were an afterthought to fill up more space at the top.

2. Travelling to Strawberry Land
This took me 6 hours. I'm really leaning towards the whole imaginative semi-cute world kind of concept + characters. The animals seem like a bunch of goofy friends creating havoc in every piece. I also noticed a lot of problems due to my self-critique, like wrong animal scale, not knowing where to add highlight/shadows, lack of textures, varying face shapes, different style of clouds etc. I should probably practise drawing each animal first.

3.Co-Living in A Strawberry House
Another animals in an imaginative house concept. I should just give the animals their own unique personality or emotion at this point. Maybe cat = smart/capable. Dog = innocent/joyful. Rabbit = romantic/shy. Turtle = driven/persistent. Frog = ditzy/silly. Duck= deadpan/apathetic. Mouse = sneaky. Bear = tired. Snails and worms are just calefare.

"You are only as good as your last work." This quote rings so true for me right now. I have no excuse but to work hard every single day on my dreams. Hopefully by next week, I will be able to confidently establish my style and start drawing real art that I'm proud to share online!

Top 5 values

These are my top 5 values. I shall connect bible verses to each one as a firm reminder and alignment to God.

1. Freedom

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Colossians 2:16)

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (Romans 7:6)

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

Freedom is most important to me. Being the youngest child in my family, an in-house designer and living with chronic illness means spending all my life laying aside my own needs (e.g. opinions, preferences, values) to obey everybody else's words like they're God's commands. This include enduring verbal abuse at home to not get kicked out, designing according to colleagues' taste to avoid blame, conforming to doctors' instructions to avoid extra tests etc. The freedom I experience only exists in my own mind, hence my rich inner life and the longing for a physical environment to feel free. I will never bow down to mere humans rules and laws anymore.

2. Truth

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31–32)

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." (Ephesians 6:13-15)

Truth is uncomfortable to hear for sure, but it is the only key thats sets the heart free and allow complete healing. Dare to confront and speak the truth even if you're afraid. Truth > people-pleasing everytime.

3. Love

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (Corinthians 13:1)

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (Corinthians 13:4-7)

4. Independence

"We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, labouring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you." (2 Thessalonians 3:7-8)

5. Ambition

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23–24)

And here's a reminder to myself when my ambitious gets overboard:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

First time doing Ultherapy Prime!

I tried Ultherapy Prime and Density in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to lift my lower face!

Ultherapy Prime is a non-surgical skin-lifting treatment that uses ultra-focused ultrasound to heat and tighten deep tissue layers and stimulate collagen. The results can last for 2 years.

Singapore aesthetic clinics charge minimally $2,700 in for lower face only, $3800 for full face, which is damn pricey. I enquired with JB clinics instead.  

The Ritz Clinic replied me the quickest with a promotion of RM3888 (SGD1222) for Ultherapy Prime 400 shots + 4 free sessions of HIFU 400 shots. Additional shots can be discussed during consultation. It’s less than half the price of Singapore’s and super worth it, so I made an appointment the next day.

The Ritz Clinic outlet I chose was at Taman Pelangi, so I took bus J22 from JB Sentral to Plaza Pelangi. I paid RM1.50 in cash for bus fare and the entire journey was 20 minutes. 

I was taking "before" photos of my face in the bus for comparison later. 😆

I accidentally alighted one bus stop earlier 😂. The bus should have drove pass the mall on the right before stopping at the bus stop named Plaza Pelangi.

It was my first time at Plaza Pelangi, which was surprisingly quiet and empty. There were familiar shops like Watsons, Guardian, CS Fresh, but I didn't find any restaurants I fancied.

After exploring the stretch of shophouses outside the mall, I settled with Tian Xin Lou 添心楼 for lunch. 

The restaurant was half empty on a Tuesday noon, so service was quick.

They offer many interesting dim sum dishes that I haven't seen before in Singapore, like fried durian bao and red wine bao! Prices are under RM8.90 (SGD2.80). 

I ordered siu mai (rm6.90), crystal shrimp dumplings (rm7.20), char siew rice noodle rolls (rm7.90), and hot tea (rm3.60). Total bill was 25.90 (SGD8) only! 

Happy person today!

Passed by this wall mural while walking towards the clinic. 

I headed to another restaurant for desserts before my appointment. 😂 This one is Tata Nyonya by Tang Ren. I ordered cendol and camelia oolong tea for RM9.50 (SGD3) each after walking under the hot sun. The tea tasted pretty bland because I'm too used to the sweeter version from Chagee. 

On to The Ritz Clinic!

After registering with my passport, their attentive staff Chloe provided comfortable slippers and led me to this waiting area. 

Doctor's consultation (5 min)

During consultation with Dr. Nazihah, I explained concerns with my lower face, particularly my saggy skin, heavy howls, and mild double-chin. She was very professional and patient, explaining in detail what my root problems were and how her treatments worked. She recommended Ultherapy Prime to target my skin and muscles + Density to stimulate collagen for firmness to fill in the dents. 

Density is another non-invasive skin-lifting treatment that uses radio-frequency energy (RF) to stimulate collagen and elastin, as well as improve skin firmness and density. Results can last 2 years.

Price consultation (5 min)

After consultation, Chloe went through the pricing with me in the waiting area. I paid RM8776 (SGD2,760) for both Ultherapy Prime + Density, and was gifted 4 free sessions of HIFU 400 shots and 7 free facial masks. It was super worth it?!?! If I had bought the same package in Singapore + 4 HIFU sessions, it would have cost double!

Ultherapy Prime: Pre-treament (25 min)

Chloe covered my hair with a head cap and tucked me under a cosy blanket. She gently cleansed my face, being careful not to smudge my eye makeup. Then she took a "before" photo of me against a white wall, and applied numbing cream to my lower face. Since she let me decide where to wait for 20 minutes, I chose to lie down comfortably in the same room. 😂

Ultherapy Prime (30 min)

Dr. Nazihah was very gentle when administering the treatment. After applying a generous amount of ultrasound gel on my face, she glided the hand piece on my cheeks first > jowls > double-chin. There was a mild tingly feeling, but no pain at all! 

After Dr. Nazihah treated one side of my face, I could see an instant lift in the mirror. It was pretty impressive. It will take 2-3 months for collagen to build up to see the full result. Chloe was also very sweet and stood by my side to checked in on me frequently.

Ultherapy Prime: Post-treatment (25 min)

Chloe helped to wipe away the ultrasound gel off my face before applying a hydrating facial mask for 20 minutes to ease the redness, since doctor mentioned my skin is pretty dry and sensitive. 

Density: Pre-treatment (5 min)

Chloe placed a grounding electrode pad against my lower back. It is better to wear shirt and pants instead of a flare dress like me because of skin exposure LOL. This pad helps to direct energy back to the device through a complete electrical circuit for safe treatment, and acts as a cooling mechanism to reduce heat on the face. 

Density (30 min)

Dr. Nazihah did the treatment for me again, and this one felt more comfortable. There was only a warm sensation throughout, except for mild discomfort at my jaw area. She only treated my lower face, particularly my nasolabial folds. Same with Ultherapy Prime, full results will appear after 2-3 months. 

Post-treatment (10 min)

Chloe cleansed my face one last time, applied serum and sunscreen on my face, and took some "after" photos. Then she waited for me at the waiting area, offered me a free drink, and explained the post-treatment care, including avoiding scrubbing, exfoliation, sauna, heat exposure for seven days. We compared our "before" and "after" photos and there was indeed a difference! 

Thank you The Ritz Clinic for addressing my concerns and treating me so well! 😄 

My life moodboard

I've created a moodboard to visualise my ideal self and life, lest I get pulled into other directions. 

Colour: Monochromatic black and white. It's giving self-restraint, quiet confidence, don't-disturb-me energy.

Style: Effortlessly chic and well-fitted clothing that resemble a protective shield. Think structured, composed, and reflective of one's inner strength and rationality. Accessories are simple gold or silver pieces to add some elegance. Hair is long straight hair with bangs. Makeup is sharp eyeliner, soft pink hues and blush for a feminine look. 

Character: It's giving ambitious, independent, lone wolf, I know what I want kind of energy. Someone who moves to the beat of their own drum rather than seeking people's validation. 

Lifestyle: Running, travel, art and design. Solitude and quiet spaces are where I thrive in. Less social interactions and distractions, more creation and self-improvement. 

Values: Purpose, consistency, discipline.

A new blog

Hello. I've created a new blog to document my journey into being a full-time artist. After almost a decade of working as a designer in the corporate world, it’s hard not to wonder what life might look like if the time and energy I’ve spent contributing to everyone else’s successes were poured into building something of my own instead. 

Hence, I've taken the leap of faith to let go of financial stability and social validation to tread the unknown path. By faith, I'm gonna live each day in accordance with my purpose and values, and hopefully build an art brand that I can be proud of in the future. God will be my guide now.