This Was How Me And My Owls Looked Like 5 Years Ago.....
I found this old photo and I thought it will be fun to share with everyone here ;D This was taken 5 years ago…when I was only 27…and living in Bangkok because of work assignments. I never thought of taking up painting, that was the last thing on my mind because I was so busy working and the corporate pace of life in Singapore is really crazy! Things took for a change the 2 years when I was in Bangkok…due to the much slower pace of life…I felt my mind could have more space for other things other than work. Partly due to my ex-boyfriend’s (who’s now my husband) influence, I took up painting as a hobby :D That was how I entered the world of painting so to speak…just a little sharing of my history here. I’ve been painting owls since day 1 and it feels funny looking back at these older owl paintings, hope you enjoy these Ophelia pioneers (sorry, not sure why I cant get the pic to be bigger) :D
Good news! I sold my first calendar Ophelia’s Thought Realm here on RB! Many thanks to someone named Nuk3!! ^ _ ^
I made some sales over at zazzle too…I also want to thank the following bubblers, Stephaniek for purchasing this tee,
And Macabrecat for purchasing this magnet,
Do stop by at these 2 fabulous bubblers’ galleries to catch a glimpse of their wonderful photography!!
Here’re some others which are being purchased :D
The Dreamer tie, this is my first Tie sale!
The Sower postage
The Love Ambassador magnet
Hope Lifts Me Higher Postcard
Hope Lifts Me Higher is also being featured in Painted Birds! group, thank you hosts for the feature!! ^ _ ^
Thanks so much for reading! And for being such a supportive and enthusiastic bunch of people whether it be here on RB or over at Zazzle! Many many thanks from the bottom of my heart!! :D
Melissa Park
Awww cute love the zazzle stuff the tie is totally awesome especially!!!!!
udonchow replied
Haha! I love that tie too, Thanks Melissa! ^ _ ^
udonchow replied
Btw…they just started accepting paypal too, good news for us!! :D
hilarydougill
They are all wonderful. I love your designs., and your photo is wonderful. hugsxxx
udonchow replied
Hugs!! Thanks Hilary, you are always so kind :D
eseffpe
wow go you congrats on those sales!!!! lovely journal entry :-)
udonchow replied
Thanks Ava!! There’s hope over at zazzle after all, hahaha! You go too, cheering you on! :D
Isa Rodriguez
I adore your designs!!!! and you are tso prettty
. a tie!.. cool cool sale :)))))))).. such amazing work my dear.. full of life and cheer.. and I always hope the absolute best for you in life.. and what a smart boyfriend !!!!!!! .. husband:)))) congratulations sweetheart!!!
udonchow replied
Dont make me blush, Isa! :D The sun was getting into my eyes and I was squinting my eyes actually….yes, my husband’s quite a cool guy, without his nudging, Ophelia wouldnt have a chance to be here :D Hugs!! :D
Jakki O
Well I’m glad you went to Bangkok!
Congrats on your sales to Ellen :)
udonchow replied
I’m glad too! If I hadnt gone to Bangkok, I wouldnt have met my husband :D Thanks Jak!! :D
silentcries
awwww… cool!!! it’s so fun to see the pioneer of Ophelia!! =D
you look very cute too!! hehe.. i love the painting of Ophelia underneath the leave.. with what seems like big raindrops.. i love her sleepy eyes!! XD
udonchow replied
Thanks Fa!! I hope I still look cute now,haha! That was a white Ophelia, taking shelter from the rain, she’s one of the first few paintings I sold. The only one remaining is the black squarish one beside me….that looks like one alien owl :D
velveteagle
You are so cool…
Chuck..
udonchow replied
You are the first one to say that Chuck, THANKS!! :D
coffeetea
the tie looks great!!!! so lovely !! well done Ellen. and your smile :)))cute
udonchow replied
Thank you so much Susan!! It was a guy who bought it, wish I could see how he looked with it ^ _ ^
valzart
O Ophelia you haven’t changed a bit sweetheART Thx 4 sharing your love and joy with uz ;} hugglez
udonchow replied
You are most welcome Val! That was the one and only photo I had with my paintings I think(I’m not a photo type of person you see)....I cant seem to find the rest anymore, glad you enjoyed reading, HUGS!
AnitaInverarity
Woooop Well done on your sales Ellen- I do love that tie (never noticed it before)- Totally Awesome.
Thanks for sharing the history of you and Ophelia, those early pics have all the magic in place and you look really sweet in the pic too. Huggies xxxxxxx
udonchow replied
Thank you so much Anita! :D I agree….there’s always something very special about the Beginner’s spirit and I hope to be able to cherish and carry that with me throughout my life journe :D
pinkyjain
Thank you for sharing Ellen, you do look so happy & Ophelia is sweet & delightful back then as she is now. Many Many Congratz on all your sales, :O))))))
udonchow replied
Aww…thanks Pinky!! She has grown to be a special part of me these 5 years…which means she’s 5 years old! Thanks Pinky, I just realised it! :D
red addiction
WOW, this is my first time actually meeting you. Well done on the sales, you kicked ass. Very nice to meet you and ophelia looks fantastic. Keep up the great work.
udonchow replied
Thanks so much Marlo! :D The pic was taken 5 years ago…this is my recent pic:D
coffeetea
so happy seeing that you grow your art so nice in steady steps…. better ones are still to come! :) susan
udonchow replied
Thanks for your encouragement Susan, you have been so supportive! :D
Sensiworld
Great to see Ellen, and great to see the growth !!
You just have great work !!!
udonchow replied
Thanks very much Sylvia, I’m also glad Ophelia and I have grown over these years! :D
pinkyjain
Awww, Happy Birthday Ophelia, :O))))))). And 5 years later you both are beaming with happiness
udonchow replied
Yea! Cheers to more good years ahead! ^ _ ^ Thanks Pinky!
Louise Parton
aw great pic, you’re so pretty :D congrats on all the sales too – yay!!! x
udonchow replied
Thanks Louise!! I think you have great features as well ^ _ ^ Wishing you more sales too!! :D
stephaniek
What a great story and beautiful photo!! Thanks for taking up painting and designing Ophelia 5 years ago!!! Life is so much brighter with you both in it!!!!!
Congrats on your sales and new marriage!!!!
hugzzzz Steph
udonchow
Hugs for you Steph! So touched, Thanks!! :D Thanks to my ex-boss who decided I should be in Bangkok…without that, I wouldnt have met my husband and there wouldnt have been any Ophelias :D
ellena
Congratz for your sales! Well deserved!
udonchow replied
Hi Elenart! I just found out that it is you! :D Nice to see you here and thanks for your encouraging words :D
ellena
:) yep…I saw your owl few days ago on RB,I’ve added you :). All the best, Ellena (Elenart on Zazzle) :))
Leena Hedman
You look as adorable as Ophelia! Fantastic yourney, thank you for sharing! xxxx
udonchow replied
I think Ophelia’s more adorable,haha! Thanks my friend :D
fixtape
Cool to see 5 years back!
You should send me some of water from the fountain of youth you clearly own!
Awesome to see you’re making sales. :)
udonchow replied
Bmail me your add and I’ll send you a bottle of that right away ^ _ ^ Thanks K!
Midori Furze
Love the tie!!
Coooooooongratulations on your sales!!
You look soooooooooooooo gorgeous!!!
Go girl!! You are AWESOME!!
: )))
udonchow replied
Thank you so much Midori! I was so excited about the tie sale, zazzle’s having $10 off ties now, hopefully there can be more tie sale :D
CazzieCreations
Awwwww theres my Gorgeous friend!!! I love that pic sooo cute sitting there with the Beautiful Ophelia!!! you art was just as gorgeous back then.. you rock!!!
Yay!!! Congrats on the sales!!! the tie is sooooooooo cute!!!!
udonchow replied
Thanks my friend!! It was my husband who wanted me to take this pic…he was taking his and asked me to bring mine along, I’m pretty photo shy, dont have lots of photos :D You made ties already? Try making some, it’s fun and who knows, you may just end up with some tie sales :D
Shanina Conway
Thank you for sharing…so the sweet little owls have a long history…I agree with fixtape, send me some of the fountain of youth juice you look gorgeous;)
Congratulations on all your successes Ellen, you are so talented and your husband is a special person to recognize your talent and encourage you;)
big hugs;)
udonchow replied
Big hugs to you too, Shanina! :D I always feel happiest when I painting owls :D Thanks for the compliments, no secrets…just get enough sleep every night, eat lotsa fruits, drink lotsa water(and non-sweet jasmine green tea),follow your heart, enjoy the present and be hopeful about the future :D
Karen Cook
You look just as young now Ellen!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lovely pic of you with your Ophelia paintings! Congrats on all the sales ~ so exciting!! Bet you can’t wipe the smile off your face :o)
udonchow replied
When I saw the tie sale, I went crazy,haha! It has been an exciting week :D Thank you Karen!:D
Karin Taylor
wonderful to see how things began Ellen, so interesting….didn’t know it’s been five years, we have been going about the same amount of time… you look so tiny and sweet Ellen…adorable xxxxx
udonchow replied
Thanks so much Karin! I have put on about 3 kg since then, it’s so had to lose those extra kilos no matter how hard I try :D It’s about 5 years since I did my first painting on canvas….it between, there’s lots of work distractions…so I only painted on a continous basis just last July :D
Karin Taylor
and also congratulations on the sale of your calendar on RB!!!! fantastic news!! xoxoxo
Midori Moon
What a wonderful journey, Ophelia sure has come a long way since then!! It’s great to know more about you Ellen and the wonderful person you are! Hope to see more of Ophelia & friends very soon!! :D
Midori Moon
......Oh and Congrats on all your sales!!! Hope they will make a lot of people smile when they receive them this Christmas! :D :D
udonchow replied
You are always so sweet and kind, I’m always very THANKFUL for you!! Having you in my thoughts today, hope you are doing fine ^ _ ^
lily pang
Very cute both of you! Nice to see your photo!
udonchow replied
Thank you so much Lily! :D So good to hear from you again! :D
MuscularTeeth
heya udonchow , fantastic work selling stuff everywhere. i love that postage stamp. i wonder if they do that here in aus.
udonchow replied
Thanks MT! They only do US postage :D