Hullo! 

Hope everyone is slipping into 2021 well, and I wish you all a wonderful year ahead.

Sorry that it's been a while since I've posted anything up in this blog. I'm mostly on Instagram (mel.celestial), Facebook (MelCelestialArt), and sometimes on Twitter (MellieCellie).

I will still continue to maintain this blog, though. For any further inquiries, you can DM me through any of my accounts above.

Peace and love,
Mel

Finally!

I've been procrastinating over the years, but I now have my own personal business card! And I'm quite happy with how it turned out! Maybe in the future, I'll provide variations of the illustration on the contact side.

BOING

Post by BOING The Play Ranger / 놀이터 구조대 뽀잉.

Well done to all who are involved in this project :) it's been quite an experience working with all of you (September 2011- September 2012).

Chrysalis

A test sketch without the splint. It would be cool if this actually happened.

Also...

To those who celebrate it, have a prosperous venture into the year of the water snake :) Don't forget to have a wonderful and safe holiday, everyone!

DigiCon6 and IPCC Super Pitch 2012

Ladies and gentlemen,

As one of the storyboard artists and assistant directors of Giggle Garage, I would like to thank everyone who had voted for ORIGANIMALS... because it had snagged FIRST PLACE of DigiCon6 (We now have the chance to compete with other entries from all over Asia in Japan)!

ALSO,

Congratulations to Glue Studios - their IP, RIMBA RACER, ties on first place with the beautiful Sunsastera for the IPCC Super Pitch this year (which is a first time for such an event)! I had the pleasure of working alongside the wonderful talents involved in this project as the character designer and storyboard artist during the early stage of the project :) Do feast your eyes on their full sizzle trailer here.

My City

I have been listening to this song lately; while I don't exactly live in Kuala Lumpur, I have had enough experience to want to stay away from it (just to avoid the noise, busy life and crazy traffic). Anyway, I just thought it would be fun to loosely translate another local song.

I really love how poetic the words can be. It's really fun.

KOTARAYAKU (My City) - by Ultimet featuring Noh Hujan

Oh My city

A thousand and one tales

Forever engraved in your streets

This is the city that often says

If you're bold come and try me out

Who wants to be dared in everything

The city welcomes you with open arms

"What are your intentions?", when asked

The city will smile nonchalantly

Whatever you want, they're all poison

Come into my abode, come in, come in

So many secrets kept within

So many true stories with witnesses/victims

Some failures, some successes

Some just passing by, some achieving goals

Some are wealthy beyond belief

With too little rice but too much gravy

Some are lucky and some are unfortunate

Same old story with different characters

In Kuala Lumpur

--CHORUS--

Oh Kuala Lumpur

You never sleep

Nursing/Waking * fading dreams

Oh my city

A thousand and one tales

Forever engraved in your streets

In the city of two faces

It says honey but feeds you vinegar

After a caress, it breaks your heart

Steps on you after entertaining you

It swallows you in and quickly spits you out

A temporary affair with neverending regrets

Flashing lights blinding your hearts

Living a fast life in slow traffic

It doesn't joke but it is consistently laid back*

Scenery changes when the night descends

Watching the unwanted youths

Racing onwards on horsepower

Don't misbehave, try to fight back worries*

A lit candle and chasing ***** vapours

Where many have failed in its trials

Many still dare to challenge it

In Kuala Lumpur

--CHORUS--

I rest on its sidewalks

That has become a stop to reflect thoughts

I realized the city is only a theater

A live opera playing on its stage

--CHORUS--

( * = not sure about context)

Coward

Layan lagu Melayu jap.

Penakut (Coward)
(Loose translation)

Not everything falls into your plan
Maybe luck just wasn't on my side
I don't know why it's you that I love
Maybe it's better to let you go

It's not fair, not fair, oh, for him/her
This isn't fair, isn't fair, oh, for me
It's not fair for you to ask
If I love you too
It's not fair, not fair, oh, for him/her

You never tried to understand me
The love you proclaimed, you never show
And the moment I am lost
A burden you never tried to lift

It's not fair, not fair, oh, for him/her
This isn't fair, isn't fair, oh, for me
It's not fair for you to ask
If I love you too
You are not mine

And I am a coward
Admitting my love for you
A thousand times I tried to say it
when I'm with you
You are not mine
And you know it
You are not mine

DigiCon 6

Glue Studios have snagged 1st and 2nd place in the recent (and annual) DigiCon 6 competition. Congrats to everyone! So proud to have been part of the team :)

The Article

Down...

I have no idea why my blog won't allow me to post some new pictures (has been that way for a month now)... I hope this will be fixed soon. Meanwhile, I'll be posting most of my stuffs on my DeviantArt page.

Stay safe and healthy, people!

My Last Shot

My appointment with a different Ob/Gyn this morning:

Doctor: So... are you pregnant again?

Me: Oh, no. I'm just here for my final cervical cancer shot.

Doctor: Oh! You should have told the nurses at the registration earlier so we could've attended to you first.

Me: (have waited quietly for 3 hours) Actually, I did. When I handed over my appointment card.

Doctor: Alright... (looks through folder) How old is your last child now?

Me: 9 months.

Doctor: So how is your family planning like?

Me: Uh... the next child, you mean? I plan on waiting another 3 to 5 years, InsyaAllah.

Doctor: (Shocked) But that's so far away! Wait... how old are you?

Me: (confused) *mumbles disclosed information*

Doctor: (Eases down) Oh, alright then. Okay, (picks up a syringe and looks between two needles) so which one did your previous doctor use, the blue one or the orange one?

Me: It's been a while since my last visit, so... I don't remember.

Doctor: (Picks up the blue one) This one then.

Me: What's the difference?

Doctor: (While screwing the needle onto the syringe) This one is bigger, so it goes down faster. So... the arm or the butt?

Me: (Holding onto whatever's left of my dignity) The arm. Right arm, please. I'm left-handed.

Doctor: Okay! *JAB!* And you're done!

Another adventure with motherhood

It happens a lot.

Bat on a Schtick

It's the onion master's birthday today, but I couldn't afford to hire Christian Bale. Please don't hurt me, Bob Kane/Bill Finger!

RUST preview

**preview of my contribution to Yongumix 6 'zine.

It's that time of the year again!

Comic Fiesta is just around the corner, and Yongumi will be there to rock it! So if you're around, do drop by their booth and snag yourself a sweet copy of yummy brain juice (lovingly squeezed!) from the awesome blend of Eisu, Aimo, Hanie, Zid, Dinjerr, and Laine.

Oh! Every page is printed in colour - kissed and approved by Skittles the Rainbow Unicorn himself.

Venue: Manhattan Ballroom, Berjaya Times Square

Date: 18th-19th December 2010

SALADIN: THE ANIMATED SERIES... It's finally here

The long awaited and hyped about Malaysian-made animated series is going on TV1 this Saturday! Huzzah!

Official Site
Based on a historical Middle-eastern figure, this series follows his fictional adventures (and misadventures) as a teenager with a cast of colourful friends - so expect lots of sword fights and humour wherever they go!

NOTE: I didn't make the poster, but Cheah and Kucha did. However, I did work on this series for almost 4 years (as a storyboard artist) alongside a crew of AH-MAAAAAAAZINGG talents. Do check them out and know I'm not kidding when I say they rock ;)

Director(s)
Steve Bristow
Syed AlMashoor
Chi-Ren Choong (slash script writer)

Assistant Director(s)
Eisu
Hanie

Character Designer
Sandra Khoo (main)
Aimee (assistant)

Concept Artists
Jun Ning (Art Director)
Kromosom
Iman
Aura

Storyboard Artists
Aimo
Nanzo
Gecko
Note: Eisu and Hanie did work their magic in storyboarding too :D

Marketing
Cheah (3D visualizer)
Kucha (Web Designer)

AND MORE!

Oh, the love!! It was a great honour working with all of them :D So don't forget to tune in to TV1, 7.30pm Saturdays (or 9.30am Sundays for reruns) and don't forget to spread the news

Tiny Announcement

Seri Celestial bt Mohd Azizul Hakim
born 27th of July 2010, 1:43pm, 3.15KG

Welcome to the world, my beautiful princess

21 Weeks

My parents got Joe and me a wonderful book to read on our new journey - Someone Else to Love by Susan Polis Schutz.

Page 59 - I Am A Prisoner.
While this page doesn't really reflect how I am now, it does echo what I am feeling. There is a sudden rush of overwhelming anxiety and distress lately, like when I first hit adolescence. Suddenly everything is new, I became very conscious of myself, and I am so guilty, scared and embarrassed about everything I just want to hide away.

Why do I do that? I don't know. I guess I just feel fragile. I am no longer allowed to be who I was (page 25 reflects this so well). I became more conscious about environmental and personal hygiene, because it's not for me (the one thing I don't mind at all). Every now and then, new sensations pop up and I get freaked out so easily by it.

I am no longer in control of myself. I have to let go of so many things, especially whom I could have been. She will never be back. I will miss her. I am angry.

I don't like feeling this way.



But a good friend of mine told me, "The best things never come easy."

I am humbled, and I am happy.

*picture/scan was taken 3 weeks ago.

Salam Aidilfitri!

Have a pleasant one, everyone!

Blanco

Sorry for the lack of updates - currently busy with some freelance projects. But here's just a bit of something to put up for September:

White Gel Pen + Boredom + Husband within reach =

I once mused that it'd be cool if we could tattoo our wedding rings on. Yes, he's a very patient man. Thanks, Joe <3

YongumiX Meow Freebie

I can't be there in person, but if you happen to go to SDCC this year, please check out booth #1328 and do support these awesome dudes! And if you're lucky, you might pull out prettier freebies by:

= [link]
= [link]
= (go there to find out!)

Meow!

What's this?? Click here to find out XD

*Cover illustrated by Eisu, picture source from Hanie

Many thanks to the YonGumi team for giving me the chance to participate. These guys rock!