#memoirsofpapapat

[synchopat]

My piece from yesterday’s Sketchwalk at Geylang Serai, a popular Malay / Muslim enclave in the mid-eastern part of Singapore.

Ramadan is about over and Hari Raya (translated: Big Day; celebrating the end of Ramadan) is around the corner, and this part of town is usually teeming with atmosphere and festivities this time of the year.

While most of our sketchers were sketching up Malay-inspired architecture across the street, Ken and I decided to capture some favorite Malay eats – a big part of the Hari Raya festivities, and certainly Singapore Malay Culture.

This stall (operating since 1985) is a very popular Malay dessert place selling Putu Piring, a Kueh (steamed rice cake) with brown palm sugar (Gula Melaka) fillings, sprinkled with freshly grated coconut, usually served on a tiny piece of banana leaf. It reminds me a lot of the Chinese Kueh Tu-Tu.

One bite into the steamy, soft and slightly powdery and bland exterior, and you will be greeted with an explosion of nuanced, textured sweetness, and that combination is just heavenly… and I don’t even have a sweet tooth. 😂

The other sweet delights on the table I bought from the neighboring stalls; the Putu Piring was the star.

An urban sketcher at heart, I could not help but also capture the shopfront, with dedicated kak-kaks (older sisters) and makciks (older ladies / moms) hard at work churning out Kueh after Kueh.

Wonderful hangout with my bros Ken and Alvin sketching up these sweet delights.

*TWSBI 580RBT B nib FP, Jacques Herbin ECLATS “Chocolat” ink, Daniel Smith Artist Watercolors, Da Vinci Travel Brushes, Arches 300gsm Hot-pressed watercolor paper sketchbook.

#usksg #usk #urbansketchers #urbansketching #sketchwalks #harirayapuasa #ramadan #singapore #heritage #putupiring #malayfood

#urbansketchers #usksg #artistsoninstagram #sketchwalk #usk #artist #urbansketch #sketchwalks #memoirsofpapapat #sketch

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On Jan 7 we collaborated with media house who was doing a special feature on the famous Lau Pa Sat, and had asked to film us in action sketching the place. It was a fun outing full of wonderful conversations and nostalgia.

This is the oldest market in SG, about 200 years old, with beams made from Victorian time England. Hope this iconic place is always going to be here.

*TWSBI 580RBT FP, Daniel Smith Artist Watercolors, Arches 300gsm hot-pressed watercolor paper.

#usksg #usk #urbansketchers #urbansketching #laupasat #laupasatsingapore #nostalgia #heritagesg #singapore

#usksg #urbansketchers #usk #sketch #sketchwalk #memoirsofpapapat

[synchopat]

Forgot to post this… done on Monday, where we spent some time at Gardens by the Bay as we started our retreat. I gave the team a few hours to have some personal time to pray, reflect, and just rest in nature. This scene reinforced a principle I was reflecting on… about fruit bearing. #usksg #urbansketchers #gardensbythebay #personalretreat #reflection #memoirsofpapapat (at Gardens by the Bay) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce1PXuOvnmV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#usksg #urbansketchers #gardensbythebay #personalretreat #reflection #memoirsofpapapat

[synchopat]

A 3-in-1 framed commissioned piece for a very happy 3rd time returning client.

Thankful that I get to do art that I love, and in the process connect with people, bring them joy, participate in propagating a culture of honor. 🙏🏼🥹

#commissionedart #artistoninstagram #urbansketching #memoirsofpapapat

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My chosen 9 of 2023 sketches (“chosen” ‘cos they aren’t necessary Best 9, ‘cos some won’t fit the IG square format). ✌🏼😘

Artistically, 2023 was a great year not ‘cos I’d done a ton of sketches, but ‘cos I’d done sketching from a ton of places all over the world. I’m grateful for that. 🙏🏼🥰

This year I hope to sketch more and explore more techniques and media. 🤞🏼😊 Have a creative 2024! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🍺🍺

*Instagram: @synchopat

#bestnine2023 #chosennine2023 #artist #artistoninstagram #sketcher #urbansketchers #urbansketching #sketching #usk #usksg #singaporesketchers #myart #synchopat #memoirsofpapapat #travelsketcher #travelsketching #cafesketcherssg #cafesketching

#urbansketchers #usksg #usk #artistsoninstagram #artist #sketchwalk #sketchwalks #travelsketcher

[synchopat]

My go-to Starbucks outlet whenever I need some alone time… 🥹

"The practice of solitude helps us find back our inner compass in our noise-filled, busy lives. Growth needs room. Space keeps us from getting “Superman complexes” and reminds us He is the Super God. To sharpen our axes, we got to first stop chopping." - Pat Ng (a journal entry)

Instagram: @synchopat

#usksg #urbansketchers #urbansketching #cafesketch #cafesketcherssg #artist #artistsoninstagram #artistjournal #artistjournalworkshop #everydaymatters #ponderings #musings #starbucks #starbucksg #journal #journalcommunity #mentalwellness #memoirsofpapapat

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Another sketch from our family vacay trip to Japan. Our 2nd last day in Kyoto: We visited the Gion district for some shopping, but this back street caught my attention. There’s something about tight back alleys in Japan that I find irresistible - the poles and cables, the extreme perspective, etc. I just love lines.

It was a no-brainer: I forewent shopping and sat down to sketch. Didn’t have time to add color on location… I might just leave it as is.

*TWSBI 580RBT B nib FP, Sailor Sepia Ink, Arches 300gsm Hot-pressed Watercolor Paper.

#familyvacay #familytrip #familytrip2023 #memoirsofpapapat #osakajapan #kyotojapan #travelsketching #travelsketch #travelsketcher #urbansketchers #urbansketching #urbansketch #usk #usksg #giondistrictkyoto #heritage #backstreet #kyotobackstreet #backalley

[synchopat]

Been somewhat busy in the new year I’d no time to post some sketches I’d done in the last couple months. This is one of them – from the last few days of our time in Japan (Kyoto).

This was a magical and gorgeous town to visit, and it drizzled when we arrived. Thankfully it stopped long enough for me to sit myself in a corner to sketch this. The street food just outside the shrine was da bomb. 😋

*TWSBI 580RBT B nib FP, Sailor Sepia Ink, Daniel Smith Artist Watercolors, Arches 300gsm Hot-pressed Watercolor Paper.

#familyvacay #familytrip #familytrip2023 #memoirsofpapapat #osakajapan #kyotojapan #travelsketching #travelsketch #travelsketcher #urbansketchers #urbansketching #urbansketch #usk #usksg #fushimiinarishrine #heritage

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The world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Shirakawa-go village. This place is magical, so gorgeous, so perfectly out of time.

*TWSBI 580RBT B nib FP, Sailor Sepia Ink, Daniel Smith Artist Watercolors, Arches 300gsm Hot-pressed Watercolor Paper.

#familyvacay #familytrip #familytrip2023 #memoirsofpapapat #osakajapan #kyotojapan #travelsketching #travelsketch #travelsketcher #urbansketchers #urbansketching #urbansketch #usk #usksg #shirakawa #shirakawago #heritage #unesco

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Day 3 — Himeji Castle.

Glad we made the 1.5 hours drive from Osaka. Worthwhile detour. My family went uphill and into the castle compounds, while I stayed back at the foot of the hill to capture this. An old Japanese visitor stopped and chatted with me.

*TWSBI 580 F nib FP, Sailor Sepia Ink, Daniel Smith Artist Watercolors, Arches 300gsm Hot-pressed Watercolor Paper.

#familyvacay #familytrip #familytrip2023 #memoirsofpapapat #japan #himeji #travelsketching #travelsketch #travelsketcher #urbansketchers #urbansketching #urbansketch #usk #usksg #himejicastle

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Our first proper meal in Osaka… @ Inase Sushi at the base of Umeda Sky Building. Oishii ne! 🫰🏼😋♥️

*TWSBI 580 F nib FP, Sailor Sepia Ink, Daniel Smith Artist Watercolors, Arches 300gsm Hot-pressed Watercolor Paper.

#familyvacay #familytrip #familytrip2023 #memoirsofpapapat #osakajapan #umedaskybuilding #travelsketching #travelsketch #travelsketcher #urbansketchers #urbansketching #urbansketch #usk #usksg

#urbansketchers #usksg #artistsoninstagram #usk

[synchopat]

From the second last day of 2021… Jac was having a small procedure done at Mount Elizabeth (Novena), and after dropping her at the lobby, I had to chauffeur the kids to their respective destinations, before coming back to Mount E to wait for Jac’s procedure to be done. Had some time to kill, so decided to order a pie and coffee for lunch at the Starbucks outlet next to the lobby, and did a quick sketch of the snack and the place. Waiting is rarely an issue for an urban sketcher, ‘cos it just means we get to sketch. 😊 And having something to focus on really helped take the anxiety about her procedure’s outcome off my mind. Thankfully, she’s all clear, health-wise! 😅🙌🏼🙌🏼 And oh, if your haven’t tried the Mac n Cheese pie at Starbucks… it’s actually quite good! 😋 *Sailor F nib FP, Daniel Smith Artist watercolors, Stillman & Birn (Delta) sketchbook #usksg #urbansketchers #urbansketching #sketchingwhilewaiting #neverbored #starbuckssg #mountelizabethhospital #macncheese #pie #lunch #cafesketch #gratitude #memoirsofpapapat Instagram: @synchopat (at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYTbFh6PVDZ/?utm_medium=tumblr

#usksg #urbansketchers #urbansketching #sketchingwhilewaiting #neverbored #starbuckssg #mountelizabethhospital #macncheese #pie #lunch #cafesketch #gratitude #memoirsofpapapat

[synchopat]

[Day 10 - Opposite] Artus has taken a looong journey to visit with some far away friends the Kelps, who couldn’t be more different than him... in fact they’re direct opposites: Artus lives and thrives in hot and dry places under the sun, the Kelps are always ‘rolling in the deep’. Much good can take place when we are willing to downplay our differences, and celebrate our common grounds... It certainly takes effort, but the results are often worth it. *Artwork by @synchopat #artusthecactus #artytober #inktober #inktober2020 #time #makingtime #synchopat #memoirsofpapapat #opposite (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGaFejNnmjO/?igshid=loqg5b9c1x6s

#artusthecactus #artytober #inktober #inktober2020 #time #makingtime #synchopat #memoirsofpapapat #opposite

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Sketched as I prayed with colleagues this morning... #thisismymeditation #peoplesketching #usksg #usk #urbansketchers #urbansketching #prayer #morningprayer #memoirsofpapapat #seekhisface #community (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFv0EcbHZy-/?igshid=n88u78gt5363

#thisismymeditation #peoplesketching #usksg #usk #urbansketchers #urbansketching #prayer #morningprayer #memoirsofpapapat #seekhisface #community

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Throwback Waterfront Series #3: Asian Civilisation Museum (directly across the river from the previous piece I shared). This piece was done during our Jan 2019 sketchwalk, in collaboration with the launch of @filmat36’s docu-movie, “Memories of Singapore River”. The weather was perfect that day, and we had a fantastic turnout, with many staying back in the afternoon to catch the docu-movie. I love visiting the gift shop at ACM, ‘cos I somehow always manage to find some cool pins and memorabilia that hold personal hold personal meaning to me. 😊 *Hero 578 Fude Nib FP, W&N Professional Watercolors, Stillman & Birn Delta Sketchbook. #usksg #usk #urbansketchers #artistsoninstagram #riverfront #waterfront #singaporeriver #BoatQuay #sketching #sketchers #memoirsofpapapat #danielsmithwatercolour #stillmanandbirn #memories #reminiscing #acm #asiancivilisationsmuseum (at ACM (Asian Civilisations Museum)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBHa6NnCSB/?igshid=1jddvlfz1nydr

#3 #usksg #usk #urbansketchers #artistsoninstagram #riverfront #waterfront #singaporeriver #boatquay #sketching #sketchers #memoirsofpapapat #danielsmithwatercolour #stillmanandbirn #memories #reminiscing #acm #asiancivilisationsmuseum

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Throwback Waterfront Series #5: Partial SG City Skyline (sketcher directly across Marina Bay, from MBS waterfront). This piece was done on National Day 2019; it’s @usk.sg ‘s annual tradition to hold a sketchwalk on National Day, near wherever the NDP would be held. Each time I see the SG skyline, my heart swells up with national pride and gratitude, for how a little fishing village could become the first-world, international hub (for just about everything) that Singapore is today. *Hero 578 Fude Nib FP, Daniel Smith Artist Watercolors, Daler Rowney 300gsm watercolor@paper. #usksg #usk #urbansketchers #artistsoninstagram #marinabay #waterfront #singapore #waterfront #sgskyline #sketching #sketchers #memoirsofpapapat #danielsmithwatercolour #stillmanandbirn #memories #reminiscing #littlereddot (at Marina Bay Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBN7JIYn1bp/?igshid=h0x2xr44t576

#5 #usksg #usk #urbansketchers #artistsoninstagram #marinabay #waterfront #singapore #sgskyline #sketching #sketchers #memoirsofpapapat #danielsmithwatercolour #stillmanandbirn #memories #reminiscing #littlereddot